why do you wear a poppy?

[oiolehnvn]

Lots of red poppies around us at the moment. Disclaimer I am not British but come from a country that is currently waging a war, in fact technically two countries that have been in the news for waging wars and have always been uncomfortable with people supporting or celebrating our army. I am therefore puzzled as to why the Brits wear poppies ever year. If you choose to wear one, what's your rationale? Equally, if you do not - what's yours?

I don’t wear one because I don’t like that it didn’t feel like a choice when I was young. You had to bring your money into school and buy your poppy to wear, without any choice or enough understanding.
I can reflect and remember without buying a poppy.

Part of it comes down to it being "the done thing" in certain social circles. So people just do it to fit in without thinking about it too much.

I wear a poppy to remember the sacrifice of those who died and were hurt in war. Ironically I feel I'm wearing a poppy for those who died so you could choose not to.
For me it is not a tacit agreement for all the wrong doings that have been committed by soldiers but a symbol for remembrance.

Look up the Earl Haig fund.

I wear mine because my Dad is a Royal Navy veteran who saw conflict in the Falklands and the Gulf. I will never forget the sacrifices he made to defend others’ freedom and the ultimate sacrifice made by 14 of his shipmates who weren’t lucky enough to come home.

We must always remember them.

Poppies are worn to remember the fallen, and their great sacrifice so we might have freedom. Never forget.

I think the first poster nailed it. The OP is trying to be "goady" and we've all wasted our time. Perhaps she'd like to read my comment about my father's experiences at Bergen-Belsen.

I am quite anti military but I still buy poppies because the people who went to war didn’t have any choice.

I wear a poppy to honour real sacrifice. People who gave everything so we could live freely. It’s heartbreaking to see that mocked. Sneering at remembrance isn’t progressive, it’s spoiled. And I’m tired of the constant rewriting of British history. Pride isn’t shameful. Forgetting is.

FFS no it is not a class thing. People who are working class wear poppies. Believe it or not they had family members that fought and died or were injured in WW1 and WW2.

So not a 'class' thing. Anyway you interpret that statement it is quite reductive!
I see people from all walks in life wearing them.

To add to my last post, we need the military. Without them we wouldn’t be able to continue enjoying the freedoms we have now.

To remember my great uncle killed at El Alamein in 1943

The OP is definitely being goady. No one thinks the poppy is a class thing or about ‘naice’ areas. The OP’s questions have already been answered in full.

I did enjoy reading posts from others about why they wear the poppy, however.

No it is not a class thing. Families of all social classes lost their brothers, sons, fathers. Are you deliberately being ignorant and goady?

Lest we forget. It's not in remembrance of war but remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives in war

Remembrance and gratitude

I think less people wear poppies these days simply due to the logistics of getting one.
People used to get one from the sellers at the entrance to supermarkets or at railway stations etc.
These days people do supermarket home deliveries and work from home.
Smaller shops like newsagents are reluctant to have them because the collection boxes tend to get stolen (sad 🙁).
This doesn't mean they don't care though.

Bordering on offensive? How?

I wear one because my great grandfather served, was a POW and came home completely traumatised. I've read his war diaries.

I wear one to remember all the people who suffered and sacrificed to keep their people safe. It's not about glorifying war, it's about celebrating and commemorating courage, sacrifice and service of your country and its people. It's a show of respect.

This has reminded me to try and find some coins before I go to the shop later.

I usually wear one to honour the men (and women) who fought so I could be free.

To remember and respect those who fought for us. My grandfathers both served. It is a mark of respect.

My family was not working class, we were poor. I hope that helps with your query about it being only something done in posh areas. I live in a deprived mining town, there is a remembrance service on Sunday where wreaths will be laid.

As a pacifist and member of the PPU, I wear a white poppy.
if you would like to commemorate all those killed in past war but also not fund future warfare & stand for peace, join the PPU ✌🏼

White poppies stand for three things.

🤍 Remembrance of all victims of war, including both civilians and members of the armed forces. We remember people of all nationalities. We remember those killed in wars happening now, as well as in the past. We also remember those who are often excluded from the mainstream, such as refugees and victims of colonial conflicts.

🤍Challenging war and militarism, as well as any attempt to glorify or celebrate war. White poppies encourage us to question the way war is normalised and justified. They remind us of the need to resist war and its causes today.

🤍 A commitment to peace and to seeking nonviolent solutions to conflict. By drawing attention to the devastating human cost of war, white poppies highlight the urgency of our ongoing struggle for peace.

I wear one on Remembrance Sunday and on 11 November, simply to remember people who have died fighting in war. I observe the silences. I don't like poppy policing or anything performative around remembrance, but I'm not privy to people's motivation and recognise that it is more immediately relevant to some than others.

I'm not interested in the politics ,i wear my poppy with pride in memory of my lost family members and everyone who lost their lives .
I spare a thought too for the many animals who died.

Are you now living in the U.K.?

If so then please embrace our culture and learn all about it.

Starting here -

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/the-poppy