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?

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

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

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

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?

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.

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!

Nep, hear, hear!

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.

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 !

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.

How utterly disrespectful of the Orange Order.

Shame on them.