Poppies are out

[AB Editor]

Do you always take a handful to make sure you can put one on all your jackets, and not be "caught short" during the week? Apparently this is common practice according to the poppy lady I saw on the weekend.

Seems a thoroughly sensible idea.

The AnswerGnome is already paying his poppy-based respects - are you going to change your avatar to contain a poppy?

[Ankou]

"It doesn't hurt to wear a symbol that says I thought about this...not as a symbol of charity but of sadness for the waste and horror"

true, but its a farily laid back lazy effort isn't it. plonk a poppy on me coat, job done.

my grandad fought in ww2 and died in the 1980s and he never spoke of the war to me. me mum was a kiddywink and only remembers the air raid sirens over romford and being evacuated to devon.

my own preferred way is attending the monument in my village and honouring the forgone in that way. its just a personal moment every now and again, no accessories required and literally takes about half an hour out of my day.

[ummmm]

My Grandad fought and was injured in WW2....he's still alive.

[LoftyLottie]

Same as China Doll. I do give to charities reglarly but I never take the badges or stickers they give you. Years ago just after the war (I remember those years) people got their poppies during he week before Poppy Day and wore them on Poppy Day.

[jno]

I don't like the idea of public pressure on people (like TV newsreaders) to wear poppies. It's a bit like hardliners roaming the street of Tehran and assaulting women with too much hair showing.

[LoftyLottie]

I agree Ankou. I also reckon some people are now buying poppies for pretty brooches.

[China Doll]

I dislike that as well jno, wasn't there a big thing a while ago when John Snow or someone wore a white poppy? I seem to recall that doing the rounds in News at one point.

[LoftyLottie]

My dad, who lived through WW2 and was born just after WW1 used to regularly take me to the local monument on Rememberance Sunday for the service and he would cry when the brass band played. It really sticks in my mind.

I won't be changing my avatar.

[jno]

yup, Jon Snow

http://velochick.word...-snow-bpoppy-fascism/

He's my man.

[LoftyLottie]

No disrespect to anyone on this thread, but I do wonder how many people actually give any thought to the dead and wounded from the wars whilst they are displaying their poppies or whether they just buy a poppy because it's 'what you do'.

[Ankou]

bloody maverick.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...s_and_presenters.html

[naomi24]

Gosh! How sad! So much cynicism! It never occurred to me that buying and wearing a poppy is anything more than a well-deserved mark of respect.

[jno]

indeed he is. The thing is, I can walk the streets of Britain without a poppy and nobody much notices. If Snow doesn't wear one, he gets letters and little clouds of steam arising from the offices of the Daily Mail. So it actually takes some courage on his aprt.

[ttfn]

The Haig Fund continues to help ex-serviceman, though the charity's name no longer appears on the centre of the poppies. I buy 2 poppies each year - one I keep at work and wear during the day and one I transfer from my outdoor coats to another. I am always proud to wear my poppy - irrespective of what others may think of me for so doing.

[jake-the-peg]

There is a competetive caring element in many high profile causes.

Did it start with Live aid?

When Princess Di dies you saw it at its most absurd.

The phychology seems to be "If I have a more visible support token - I care more and am a better person"

So we have poppies, oversized poppies, poppies for cars, broaches - before you know it there will be gold poppies all catering for this empathy arms race.

I suspect there is a similar syndrome going on with some muslim women - "the more I cover up, the more religiously virtuous I am"

No I won't be featuring a poppy this year - I had toyed with a burning poppy - but I don't think AOG's heart would take it

[naomi24]

//The phychology seems to be "If I have a more visible support token - I care more and am a better person" //

That might be your philosophy Jake, but it certainly isn't mine. Don't judge everyone by your own standards.

[Ankou]

lol jake - didn't that happen with red nose day as well (noses, cars, lorries etc etc)

we could always follow simon toppings black poppy approach. don't see many of them about......

[LoftyLottie]

ttfn. Who has indicated that you or anyone else is thought of badly for wearing a poppy?

But it would appear that those who don't (ie in the BBC) are thought of badly for not wearing one. It doesn't mean they don't care. I care, and I don't wear one. I don't see the need. I buy one and it sits at home.

[jackthehat]

I buy and wear my poppies with pride and with full consideration of what they mean to me, and what my positive benefit my small monetary-contribution means to others.

Others will have their own reasons for wearing/not wearing them and I rarely notice if other people are not.

I find it a little childish and pointless to bang a big drum for either of the 'must wear a poppy/won't wear a poppy' camps, in all honesty.

[ttfn]

Lottie - I didn't say that anyone thinks badly of me for wearing a poppy. I am in agreement with naomi on the cynicism of some. I don't worry about why people buy/don't buy or wear/don't wear poppies. I am pleased to support the Haig Fund and remember those who have died, been injured or lost loved ones. It is my personal choice and always will be.

[moonraker558]

Changing the topic briefly, TT I an glad to see you back, look after yourself.