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?

[meditrina]

Thanks, shroeder, the other piece I read must have been misinformed.

I suppose it has to be a reflection of the changing nature of Remebrance and more attention being paid to it, arising from public support.

[mayorquimby]

and vs Argentina in '05 on the saturday

[mayorquimby]

England v Denmark 16/11/03 3-2 loss.
That was on the remembrance sunday by my reckoning.
No poppy.
No fuss

[witherhills]

Did I miss something?
Poppies are to remember the soldiers that have died in wars. Mostly wars that they had no choice about
It doesn't matter whether you agree or disagree with the conflicts that we have been in. Or whether you would be happy to do without the military.
It is to remember that people have died, for us.
Now, I'm hiding this before I get too annoyed

[OracleInaCoracle]

I suppose it has to be a reflection of the changing nature of Remebrance and more attention being paid to it, arising from public support.

Or, as was suggested, an attempt to draw attention away from various scandals in the game and portray the english as the victims of a bullying campaign.

[OracleInaCoracle]

I suppose it has to be a reflection of the changing nature of Remebrance and more attention being paid to it, arising from public support.

Or, as was suggested, an attempt to draw attention away from various scandals in the game and portray the english as the victims of a bullying campaign.

[OracleInaCoracle]

Witherhills, we know the purpose of the poppy thanks.

[OracleInaCoracle]

Witherhills, we know the purpose of the poppy thanks.

[witherhills]

why so sarcastic lissielou?

[exoticfruits]

Read the 'Lest we forget' thread on discussion of the day Witherhills, it is lovely, in contrast to people carping on here.

[witherhills]

i think I started to read that and couldn't see for tears

[exoticfruits]

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

[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]

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]

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.

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[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.

[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