People feeling under pressure to wear a poppy.

[schroeder]

Yesterday on the bbc news a very interesting conversation about the increasing pressure people feel to wear a poppy seemed about to start, but was cut short. It was something to do with football shirts I think.

I feel this is a conversation that should be had. I work with the public and feel uncomfortable every year when it is expected of me to wear one.

It's not the wearing so much that bothers me, but that in doing so I am supporting a charity I would not support otherwise.
Surely we should not all feel forced to give to this charity whether we like it or not?
I do not think even the British legion woud want poppies to be compulsary?

Supporting ex-sevicemen who fought for freedom in the WWs' is an admirable act.

Because it is in support of the military.

Why is it wrong to support the military?

Why would you not want to give to the British legion?

Could you not make your own poppy and wear it as a mark of respect for the thousbands of people who died to give us the freedom to choice to weear a poppy or not?

Even today there are men and women fighting to protect innocent people and help to provide a safe place for people - wear it for them as its not a job i would want to do.

I think the red poppy is a very powerful symbol of all the men that went off to fight for their families even when they were shit scared and had no choice as the other opioin would have been worse in the long run.

The british legion helps injured personel and their families - is a pound that much to ask once a year?

The British Legion says it should be voluntary and unpressured.

I think those who take a more strident view than the Poppy organisers are being utterly and completely stupid and counter-productive.

I have seen white poppies rather than red.

It is my personal preference not to do so.

What do you think about the pressure people feel to wear them? For example newsreaders?

How would you feel if they did not?

Oh FGS if you don't want to wear one don't. You're hardly likely to become the victim of a hate campaign.
Personally I'm more than happy to wear a poppy but I don't feel pressured into it any more than I do to wear the emblem of any other charity. I usually end up buying several poppies as they tend to fall off my coat (think my bag catches on them or something) but no one has ever asked me where my poppy is! I'm sure even 'working with the public' doesn't make them compulsory.

It's a personal choice. I have seen people on TV not wearing them.

Sorry, that was in answer to crazynanna. (must post faster)

it can be difficult to imagine that there are some people who do not share our beliefs, or our values, but there we are

luckily, i do not have to imagine their motivations, or even try to understand them, i need merely accept that not every one thinks like me, and there we are

i find the level of compulsion/expectation (not coming from the british legion but from the general public/tabloids) almost sinister, and ironically it reminds me of that WWI nonsense of the white feathers

It is getting a bit stupid the whole poppy thing.

Noone should feel under pressure to wear one but I personally believe that people should WANT to wear one.

People have died in wars over the years in our name. Whether they were there nobly like WW2 or under less noble circumstances like Afghanistan/Iraq, the fact is they gave their lives under orders from our government who in turn are voted in by us. Wearing a poppy to remember them is the least we can do.

But at the same time at least in ww2, they died to protect our freedoms. A freedom which includes not wearing a poppy if someone doesn't want to.

Indeed, some people may have reasons not to want to support the military, because they do not agree with every conflict the UK has been involved with for instance.

They may be decended from people who were on the other side in one of those conflicts.

And many other reasons.

No body should feel compelled.

I think the pressure is ridiculous. It is a choice. I would never wear one nor would ds but I think dp may wear one at work. I was brought up in Northern Ireland and anything remotely related to war or nationalism brings me out in a cold sweat.

Other possible alternatives for not wanting to wear a poppy (as well as not wanting to support wars)

it doesn't go with your outfit

you don't want to put pin-holes in your coat

it makes you too sad to think of the fields of dead people

you are afraid of needles (and also pins)

you think that it's ridiculous that the British Legion should need to exist - ex servicemen and women should be supported/helped by the government not by people's charity

This thread is a great example of the pressure, posters have said

why wouldn't you want to support the british legion
Why is it wrong to support the military
Why wouldn't you want to help the poppy appeal
Your choice to not wear one is due to people dying for you
no one should feel compelled but everyone should want to wear one

The Royal British Legion isn't the military, though. It supports the people who are in the military, those who have to live after leaving it and keeps the memory of the fallen, who may not have had a choice in the matter, alive. It does not contribute to the military, just the people in it. And we have to, and have always had to, have a military, obviously, no matter what our views on war. Considering that the military have always chewed up and spat out the young with hardly any support to those who come out alive, I personally feel that it is a worthy cause, partly because my brother was in the army and had a great-uncle who died in WW2. As much as I oppose the idea of war such as has gone on in Iraq/Afghanistan etc. in the last few years, what were we to do during WW2, for example? What other way, other than military defence and action, was there? What choice did a lot of the boys who were called up in WW1 have?
I understand why people wouldn't want to wear one and that's fine - I would never judge someone for supporting a cause or not as the case may be. Wear one or not, it's a choice and one the RBL are strongly and vocally in favour of. I do think there is a pressure on figures in the public eye to wear one and that is completely wrong.

It is difficult not to give in to peer pressure but if you are sure of a decision, you should not feel that the judgement of others should influence you. For example, I went hunting yesterday and would be judged on that by some people, however my reasons are sound and I am prepared to explain them. Incidently, I wore a poppy on my jacket and my horse wore one on his bridle, in memory of both the people and the animals who have fallen in the name of war.

That all being said, if you don't want to wear one, don't.

I work in a school and last year we were told that all staff MUST wear a poppy in the week of the 11th.

I wear a poppy anyway, but if people choose not to, it is their choice. I did not agree with us being ordered to wear poppies.

I wear my poppy with pride :)

I feel a bit naked and shameful during poppy season if I don't have one.

Choices:

• bite the bullet and wear a red poppy
• wear a white poppy
• Don't wear either

It is a really easy decision and i don't really believe that people actually do judge unless it has been pointed out to them or some-one has 'stirred the pot'!