Poppies

[Dazzler]

People were asked to stay away in order to stop the pandemic spreading even further. Not sure how this equates to being gutless, but hey ho.

"Asked" ....it wasn't an order

[Billy Balfour]

"Asked" ....it wasn't an order

Well, don't you think it was good advice? Anyway, you so obviously started this thread with an agenda when you posted "now judged as racist to wear a poppy" in your opening post. To use Remembrance is this way is pretty low and to be honest, I find it deeply disrespectful. I won't bother you again.

[Dazzler]

Folk are still going shopping and getting about on buses and in taxi's...it's just a case of being sensible.

You know, using ones own common sense??

[evensteadiereddie]

The quote is taken from a statement I read elsewhere:

It may well have come from someone else but I'm surprised that you, as you claim, an ex-squaddie are prepared to repeat it, as fact, without question.
I'd argue the opposite:the last few months have shown that despite horrendous difficulties, the majority of our society have performed well in many areas whether via work, supporting others and so on.
If you consider your society to be "gutless" that's up to you - speak for yourself, many millions of us in ours aren't.
I'm afraid you've let yourself down a little by posting this thread.

[Greenmile]

If you equate virtue-signalling with visible displays of support then, yes, wearing a poppy is virtue-signalling. On the other hand, if you're serving in the armed forces or a war veteran, isn't it reassuring to see a visible display that people appreciate the sacrifices that have been made? Anyway, why is virtue-signalling so frowned upon?

• Taking the knee is virtue-signalling. You know, if really want to tackle racism, you really ought to do something other than show you're against racism.

• Sending a Valentine's Card is virtue signalling. You showed your commitment when you got married.

• Clapping the NHS on your doorstep is virtue-signalling. You could just donate some money (above and beyond what you pay to HMRC anyway) and keep your front door shut.

• Wearing your Burnley FC shirt on holiday in Tenerife is virtue-signalling. Why not just go to the club shop, throw £45 over the counter and walk out empty-handed? Why does every Tom, Dick or Harry need to see what team you support?

Wear a poppy or don't wear one; but branding it virtue-signalling (and therefore something to be derided) is weapons-grade tosspottery.

I never said virtue-signalling was something to be derided. Nowt wrong with doing something good and trying to encourage others to do the same.

[Rileybobs]

I never said virtue-signalling was something to be derided. Nowt wrong with doing something good and trying to encourage others to do the same.

It's a very good point. Wearing a poppy is almost the definition of virtue-signalling, although slightly less so than clapping the NHS, in my opinion. That doesn't mean that doing either is wrong. Just that not doing either also isn't wrong.

I suspect, though may be wrong, why you've brought up the virtue signalling is because the same people who call others virtue-signallers when they call out racism, for example, are the first to deride people for not wearing a poppy.

Supporting the RBL is great, as of course is remembering the huge sacrifices our forefathers made. But I do find the huge poppies in the windows and F'book profile filters extremely mawkish.

[JarrowClaret]

We have similar posts to this every year I don’t get the annoyance about people not wearing poppies it is a personal choice and you should remember however you wish to do it. If you choose not to it’s a shame but that is your choice. I always donate sometimes I buy the metal poppy pins but I rarely take a normal poppy certainly I never take one for myself. This year I only managed to donate once before they were remove I normally donate £1 or 2 every time I walk past them normally at least once a day. The act of rememberence is very personal to me I always take time to remember but I would never question someone who doesn’t want to remember.

[agreenwood]

When I was a kid, Remembrance Day build up and conversation started a week or two before. It was hardly discussed outside of November.

The “lest we forget” posts I see on social media are 12 months of the year.

[Pearcey]

As a veteran, I wear one. I’ve lost fellow servicemen to cancer and other illnesses and I like to remember them. Also, a lad I grew up with in my street was shot and killed in Afghanistan in 2009 whilst I was serving there. And of course, all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

What I don’t like is how a certain group of people like to ram it down everyone’s throat. It has tarnished what the poppy is about and goes against the freedom that was fought for in the first place.

Whatever your reasons to wear and not to wear are your own and should be respected by others.