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?

To honour all those killed in wars . To remember members of my family who served including some who never came home. The money raised also goes to help veterans today

I am genuinely not being goady. In Russia, for example, it's definitely more of a class thing. It's the working classes who tend to go and join the army. Middle classes are much more against the army. The current Russian army fighting in Ukraine is largely composed of working class men - and in part they were sent there to fight the 'fascist'. So I was wondering whether it's similar in the UK.

I also live in a middle class area - and was responding to another person who said they dont see many people in their 30s wear it because where I live, they do. Thats all.

Lest we forgot

Same- I find them jingoistic, much favoured by right wing brexiteers and I am anti war

My brother used to be in the army and has fought abroad x

To honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, so I can live the life I live, in the country I love and with the freedom that I have. I also know that the money raised helps veterans.

I can’t bear the poppy racism and I don’t give money to military charities, so I don’t wear a poppy.

Poppy fascism that should be!

To remember those that gave everything so that I may have today. Simples.

@oiolehnvn for WW1 and WW2 there was conscription. Men were called up regardless of what class they were.
Women were also called up for part of WW2.
Even the late Queen Elizabeth II did military service as an 18 year old.
After WW2 there was a brief period of National Service for men. Again it didn't matter what class you were. Your papers came and you went.

Its a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future and it supports ex service people. I mainly buy one for the ex service element as I think we seem to treat veterans badly in this country.

I wear one to remember specificallt my great grandfather who died in ww1 and the lives of the men my grandfather served with in ww2. They were from commonwealth countries.

I dint care if someone where one or not. Its meant to be a personal choice and its fine to remember without one and its got oddly political recently. Its also fine to not remember at all.

To remember all those who have died in conflict. We also go to our local remembrance day service. My ds is 20 and has gone every year since he was born. It's very important to me and to him. We have relatives who died during WW2.
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The poppy and Remembrance have never been about celebrating or glorifying war.

The falsehood that suggests otherwise has allowed all sorts of muddle-headed and unrelated causes to attempt to hijack Remembrance to further their own dubious agendas.

Remembrance is inclusive of everyone. And it has nothing to do with national jingoism or war.

We will remember them.

@oiolehnvn i am not British either. But lived in Britain (until recently) for almost 20 years. I wear a poppy to remember those who have lost their lives for us to be able to enjoy the liberties in the UK. The UK might not be perfect but there is a lot to celebrate and be grateful for. It’s not about romanticising war - but the bravery of those who fight it when they have no control over when and why they go to war. I would also add that despite everything crazy going on in the US one thing they do well is celebrating their troops. We should learn to do that as well.

If it was only about remembering the people from the great wars then maybe but it be a cold day in hell before I give money to or support any charity of movement ‘honouring’ the British paratroopers who murdered civilians in Northern Ireland and got away with it.

I think it's social contagion. Hardly anyone wears one round me, but there's poppies and displays all over the place.

I personally choose to remember privately without funding the present day RBL.

For remembrance of those who gave their lives.

I despise the hectoring people get if they choose not to wear one or wear a white one or whatever.

OP, there is no similarity at all between what the poppy means to people in the UK and the class based experience you describe in Russia. There have already been plenty of wonderful responses on here which explain why people in the UK wear the poppy. It means a great deal to many of us to honour and remember the sacrifices of others. It’s important to listen to those voices and not impose your ideas from Russia. There is no class connection in England. However you may find more poppies are worn by the older generation in general.

Ok - is the wearing of poppies different between the four nations then? Quite a few people have mentioned that as Irish they wouldnt wear one?

I beg to differ. You are being goady. I don’t wear a poppy but put plenty in poppy appeal box. People who wear a poppy are honouring the people who made a great sacrifice.

My question was in part also prompted by the fact that Dc goes to primary school here and I sometimes struggle to explain British traditions to them because I am less familiar with them.

OP, how long have you been living in the UK? Are you based in England, Wales, Scotland or N.I.? I’m struggling to believe you are posting in good faith but maybe you could give a bit more context

I moved here after the pandemic and we live in London.

I don't wear a poppy any more. as I think it's become very performative. Most people now wear the same enamel.poppy year after year, so it doesn't support veterans financially.

I do support veterans in other ways, but I don't feel the need to show it.

I also feel that as the last few veterans from WW1 and 2 are now rapidly dwindling, it doesn't hold the same meaning.

I really don't like the way society has made wearing a poppy a value statement. No-one should be forced to wear it.

Of the sales of red poppies, a small percentage goes to veterans of war and the vast majority of the money goes directly to the British legion / armed forces.
This supports future war.
all the information is available to read on their site.