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?

[WhollyGhost]

How utterly disrespectful of the Orange Order.


Shame on them.

[Jux]

As the monarch is also Leader of the Church of England then it could be a bit of a prob if they marry someone who isn't CofE. I can see the problem, but I too think it's a bit silly not to let them marry whomsoever they want to marry.

The monarch is in charge and the monarch's other 'alf will open fetes and look ruggedly handsome or winsomely pretty. The major problem arises with the kids. If the parent is Catholic then they're supposed to ensure that their kids are brought up in the faith - only thing that excuses all that naughty hanky panky involved in producing sprogs in the first place. Don't know about other religions though.

[JugglingWithGoldandMyrhh]

It's ridiculous that those in line of succession cannot marry Catholics. Can they marry those from any other faith or atheists ? Or do they have to marry a CofE.
What about a baptist or methodist ? It's laughable.

Definitely so outdated and bigoted.
I can't believe it is still the law in the 21st century in Britain.
That people actually would support it, and so strongly, is really quite scary !

[JohnStuartMills]

I see orange order took detour from their annual remembrance day march and stopped at downing st. to deliver letter opposing lifting of ban on those in line of succession from marrying Catholics. Good to see values promulgated re those defenders of right and freedom in are still intact.

[OracleInaCoracle]

Nep, hear, hear!

[exoticfruits]

I admit that I hate the idea that you can't quietly and secretly do anything, you have to be seen to do it or it doesn't count!

[nepkoztarsasag]

I think it's ironic that moral pressure to wear poppies (and this thread is full of it) seems to be increasing the further we get from WW1 and WW2. Previous generations - those who actually experienced war - would have thought some of the sentiments on display here unBritish and undignified.

I don't think this change has anything to do with an increase in patriotism, respect for the war dead or concern for veterans of contemporary wars. If only it did.

Rather, I think it's all part of the creeping Dianafication of Britain, where lachrymose collective displays of emotion in public are becoming more common and those who don't want to join in risk being denounced.

Oh, and I always wear a poppy, in case it's relevant.

[JuliaScurr]

exotic I am not convinced that unemployed 19yr olds coming back with no legs have been sacrificed for the alleged 'democracy' and 'women's rights' we were told this was for. I'm surely not the only one with doubts about eg Blair and Iraq?

[exoticfruits]

You are very lucky JuliaScurr that people sacrificed their lives so that you are free to do that.

[JuliaScurr]

Iwouldnotcouldnot Agree, it's too militaristic/jingoistic and celebrates war. I've got a white one.

[exoticfruits]

Apparently a record number have poppies this year-so most people want to show respect by wearing one.

[witherhills]

i just thought hit a big nerve because you have been quite vocal about it.
I wasn't being offensive, just an observation

the problem with the internet is that interpretation can be all over the place

[Khara]

A few years ago it suddenly became the done thing for premiership football teams to wear shirts with a poppy embroidered on. One team (Man U) didn't jump on this band wagon and were villified in the press for it. Now all teams do it - and presumably their players (many of whom are not British) have absolutely no choice in whether or not they wear a poppy or not. (I personally don't like the shirts with poppies on - it seems a bit gimmicky to me.)

Having said that, I do believe in wearing my poppy and remembering the sacrifice of those who died, and will be at the war memorial at 11am on Sunday.

[OracleInaCoracle]

The problem with the internet is that posts can read very passive-aggressive . I don't know why you think this hits a big nerve. It doesn't. I do resent people assuming that because I don't wear a poppy I don't care opr support the cause. I have 2 brothers who have toured afghanistan with the forces. I just choose to show my support and respect in a different way.

[witherhills]

yes lissielou, you bridled at my post for the simple reason that it had already been discussed, which I think is a bit unfair.
Nowhere did I say I thought everyone should wear poppies. I don't actually think that.

This subject obviously hits a very big nerve with you.

I think this thread does show that some people don't know what the poppy sybolises, not you, obviously

[OracleInaCoracle]

Look, I bridled at the tone of your post. As if the people who choose not to wear poppies don't know what they stand for or they simply don't care. Like we are heartless ingrates who haven't thought about it. You bridled at the tone of my (admittedly snippy) post. Nowhere did I say you weren't entitled to your opinion, I just stated that the symbol has been discussed at great length.

You have your opinion, I have mine. They are equally valid.

[OracleInaCoracle]

Look, I bridled at the tone of your post. As if the people who choose not to wear poppies don't know what they stand for or they simply don't care. Like we are heartless ingrates who haven't thought about it. You bridled at the tone of my (admittedly snippy) post. Nowhere did I say you weren't entitled to your opinion, I just stated that the symbol has been discussed at great length.

You have your opinion, I have mine. They are equally valid.

[witherhills]

lissielou, I did scan the thread, admittedly I skipped over the bit about football

"In giving my opinion I dismiss other peoples opinions and beliefs??" what?

I'm sorry it wasn't quite in the right order, but I think I'm allowed to say what I think

[OracleInaCoracle]

Of course you are allowed to give your opinion, but when, by doing so, you dismiss other peoples opinions and beliefs you should be prepared to be treated the same way. It is also wise to at least scan a thread before posting to get an idea of the discussion.

[witherhills]

so I'm not allowed to give my opinion because you've already discussed it?!
Apologies, I wasn't aware that's how MN worked

[OracleInaCoracle]

Exoticfruits, exactly! I don't wear a poppy because I work with food and I don't wear any jewellary or adornment, not even my wedding ring. I also don't feel that its necessary to advertise my donation (and I have made several this last week or so) on the other hand, there are those like a woman I know who uses the same poppy every year without donating.

[OracleInaCoracle]

Exoticfruits, exactly! I don't wear a poppy because I work with food and I don't wear any jewellary or adornment, not even my wedding ring. I also don't feel that its necessary to advertise my donation (and I have made several this last week or so) on the other hand, there are those like a woman I know who uses the same poppy every year without donating.

[exoticfruits]

There was also this thread at the going down of the sun...


I was in a town where they closed the street to traffic, the town council came out, shopworkers came out of the shops around and every single person stood still and kept silent. Some wore poppies and some didn't. You can't assume that those without didn't put money in the collecting tin.

[OracleInaCoracle]

Because you obviously haven't read the thread, just the op. The purpose of the poppy has been discussed at length.

On a separate note, o observed the minute silence today, at work, poppyless. I didn't even use the steamer to make the drink I had on order. We turned up the radio and bowed our heads. Not one poppy-wearing customer kept the silence. And there's talk of the poppy being a mark of respect?

[exoticfruits]

I can't read 'they shall grow not old......' without getting tearful.