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Posted by: vidcapper Nov 2 2017, 07:12 AM

What do you think about wearing them?

I only ask because of articles like this : http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/third-young-brits-wont-wear-11449447

Posted by: Oliver Nov 2 2017, 07:38 AM

I'm personally more shocked that 1/3 of people think it should be compulsory to wear one than the 1/5 that say they are being 'bullied' into wearing one.

Posted by: vidcapper Nov 2 2017, 07:43 AM

QUOTE(Oliver @ Nov 2 2017, 07:38 AM)

I'm personally more shocked that 1/3 of people think it should be compulsory to wear one than the 1/5 that say they are being 'bullied' into wearing one.

Posted by: Buttered Muffin Nov 2 2017, 07:46 AM

QUOTE(Oliver @ Nov 2 2017, 07:38 AM)

I'm personally more shocked that 1/3 of people think it should be compulsory to wear one than the 1/5 that say they are being 'bullied' into wearing one.

Posted by: Popchartfreak Nov 2 2017, 07:54 AM

I've always had mixed feelings about poppies. It's almost a case of proving that you have donated to the cause (unless you dig out an old one each year), when the government should be caring for the troops and there should be no charity required - so many other worthy charities need our help and we don't get to celebrate them (except well-publicised ones like Children In Need and Comic Relief).

Nothing wrong with Remembrance Day, and nothing to criticise about it, but having a bit of plastic attached to your collar shouldn't mean anything one way or the other, any more than choosing to wear a cancer emblem or any other symbol of support. It's entirely personal and not wearing one doesn't mean you don't support the cause.

Posted by: vidcapper Nov 2 2017, 09:48 AM

QUOTE(Popchartfreak @ Nov 2 2017, 07:54 AM)

Posted by: diplomapedVop Nov 2 2017, 01:47 PM

With regards to the paper/plastic poppies yeah I do agree with popchartfreak's above statement although seeing someone wearing a poppy is a strong symbol of how we as a society generally haven't forgotten about remembering fallen soldiers particularly in the two world wars. Although the custom of everyone wearing a poppy in certain situations like on TV takes away from it as it is not necessarily any more a choice in the person's heart to choose to display that they are observing remembrance as it should be.

Going on a bit of a botanical tangent, I recently found out that the actual poppy flower stops its flowering season usually before November, and is usually a summer flowering plant, although there was one on my street (an orange one not a red one though) that flowered again a few weeks ago so I guess in a very mild year it would be possible for an actual poppy flower, preferably the red one, to be appropriately still in bloom in the UK for November 11th.

Posted by: Liаm Nov 2 2017, 03:09 PM

It is just virtue signalling. Obviously nothing bad can be said about the money being raised and respect being had for those who lost their lives and continue to risk their lives, but putting a few pence in a collection jar and sticking a plastic flower on your lapel doesnt mean you are such a better person and only you remember the dead and know about, the memories and knowledge don't unlock and download to your brain when you put the poppy on. It's just the ridiculous controversy when say a Stricly pro does't wear a poppy and the Sun has a field day does it matter? Not wearing a poppy 24/7 doesn't mean you've forgotten that the wars happened and dance on soldiers' graves And equally some people who wear them constantly probably don't give a thought to the dead.

Posted by: Chez Wombat Nov 2 2017, 04:20 PM

I echo the above. I don't rlly like them much because they've become a representation of how it's never enough to just give/care quietly these days and how you HAVE to show your support by wearing your heart, or poppy in this case, on your sleeve or you are a terrible person. It's a plastic flower that can show awareness of a cause and a gesture to show respect, it's nice, but that does not make you any better or more patriotic than someone who chooses not to wear one. No one should be forced to wear one, and no one has a right to kick up a fuss when someone doesn't in a democratic country. Does not wearing a red nose on Comic Relief day signify you care nothing for struggling Third World countries? or not wearing a red ribbon mean you care nothing for those suffering with AIDs? Does it mean you haven't donated privately instead? I get that the poppy is an older symbol, but it's become the same principle.

Sadly, I actually understand how some think they're glorifying war as well, it's a shame as I'm sure that wasn't their intention but it does seem like the stigma's growing.

Posted by: Suedehead2 Nov 2 2017, 04:51 PM

I think part of the issue is that extending the scope to victims of all wars has meant including controversial wars such as Iraq. Historians may debate whether we should have got involved in the First World War but those who opposed it at the time are now dead. OTOH, plenty of people who opposed the Iraq war are still very much alive. As well as that, there is also the issue that all British servicemen who e killed in wars are volunteers rather than the conscripts of the past.

We then get the annual stories about poppy sales being banned somewhere because they might cause offence. I have yet to come across a single person who is offended by the poppy. However, the tabloid stories - with the implication that we should all wear a poppy out of some sort of patriotic duty - make some people decide not to wear one as a way of sticking two fingers up to the bully-boy press.

Posted by: vidcapper Nov 2 2017, 05:21 PM

QUOTE(Suedehead2 @ Nov 2 2017, 04:51 PM)

Posted by: Suedehead2 Nov 2 2017, 05:59 PM

QUOTE(vidcapper @ Nov 2 2017, 05:21 PM)

Posted by: commonsense Nov 6 2017, 04:14 PM

I never buy one or wear one.

Posted by: Steve201 Nov 6 2017, 08:09 PM

We are all James McClean!