I don't honestly notice who wears poppies and who doesn't. I support the British Legion by buying from the shop. I would never criticise those who don't wear one. It might well be virtue signalling for some.
The UK public have been wearing poppies for decades
In the snowflake wokery 21st century it has suddenly become a topic for discussion about virtue signalling
What a sad indictment on society
Those in Tyne Cot and other commonwealth cemeteries would spin in their graves no doubt
I wear one in memory of my dad, who joined the Royal Navy in 1937 and was demobbed in 1946. It's also in memory of my uncle who died on HMS Glorious in 1940, but it's also in respect for all who served and died for their country in all conflicts, not just WW2.
Well it wasn't 100 years ago and it shouldn't be now. I wear mine to firstly honour three relatives who died in the second world war, secondly to honour all those from across the world who died in both world wars and thirdly those friends who have died in conflict since. If people think I'm virtually signaling that's their prerogative but I will certainly continue to wear it to show the fallen haven't been forgotten.
If so which of the virtues is it?
This comes up every year, usually it's those who wear the red poppy being accused as warmongers. It's almost pathetic if it wasn't so insulting and ignorant.
I wear my red poppy to remember those who sacrificed their lives. Most of us alive today couldn't even imagine being so brave.
Canary42, who described it as such today? I think very, very few reasonable people would come out with that - and thank goodness it's not a very prevalent attitude.
At first it was because I didn't have a button hole, and didn't want to use a pin. It has morphed now into just not feeling the need to. It is certainly not due to any lack of respect for the current or former armed service members.
To me no. It is simply a mark of respect for those who have fallen e.g. the uncle I never knew who died aged 17 in 1915 on the Somme. It's also a quiet gratitude that I didn't grow up speaking German.
It's no more 'virtual signalling' than not wearing one is 'virtual signalling'. I do hope someone is producing a dictionary of useless phrases of the 21st Century, some candidates in this thread.
I know some feel uncomfortable with the fact that for example on TV it has become pretty much de rigueur - to the extent that for example if you don't wear one it gets "noticed".
That isn't virtue signalling, but perhaps a case of keeping up appearances.