Poppies

[Dazzler]

Serious question:

Is it frowned upon, or even now judged as racist to wear a poppy?

Or is it just apathy?

I ask this because other than my missus and myself I have yet to notice this last week or so anyone else displaying a poppy.

[dsr]

Serious answer: since a week ago, the UK Prime Minister (Boris Johnson) announced that we are now in lockdown. shops closed - some of them anyway - and certain activities banned, including selling poppies on the street. I think even before that, street collections and poppy sales were banned.

So of no-one is selling poppies, then no-one is buying.

[BenWickes]

Serious question:

Is it frowned upon, or even now judged as racist to wear a poppy?

Or is it just apathy?

I ask this because other than my missus and myself I have yet to notice this last week or so anyone else displaying a poppy.

There's a house near us who have a huge 6 foot by 4 foot poppy in their bedroom window and lots of small ones in the downstairs front windows.
I usually wear a poppy every year but due to Covid and us hardly ever going out apart from for essential reasons. We just donate. Nobody would see it anyway.
I watched the Remembrance Festival and did my two minutes silence.
I think many just don't see the point in wearing them if they aren't going out. On a side note. We'd have printed off poppies from the relevant site but our printer is kaputt!

[Burnley1989]

No!

Most folk pick them up whilst out and about in shops or the pubs, restaurants etc which we can’t do

They will sell just as many next year as they did last year

[DCWat]

Serious answer: since a week ago, the UK Prime Minister (Boris Johnson) announced that we are now in lockdown. shops closed - some of them anyway - and certain activities banned, including selling poppies on the street. I think even before that, street collections and poppy sales were banned.

So of no-one is selling poppies, then no-one is buying.

I think that about sums it up, as opposed to apathy or any other reason.

I suspect that the poppy appeal will have had a very bad year, this year, unfortunately.

[Dazzler]

Serious response:

Local shops and Supermarkets are still open because we still need to eat. (Got my poppies from Spar shop)
The likes of Macdonalds & Greggs are still open

[Paul Waine]

I got an email from The Royal British Legion, Poppy Appeal this morning - as I'm sure many others did.

I donated online - plus gift aid, which is why they needed my address.

I chose to wear the little poppy pin badge that I'd bought last year. I guess there wouldn't be too many people this year getting close enough to see "2019" rather than "2020."


THE POPPY | 12 November 2020

In the 99 years since the Royal British Legion was founded, we have never given up in our fight to support the Armed Forces community. We have ensured that those who have served are looked after, no matter what difficulties they may be facing.

But the challenge of COVID-19 has been formidable. The 2020 Poppy Appeal marks the first time in the history of the Poppy Appeal that our volunteers were unable to carry out face to face collections in England and Wales. Never before in the charity’s history, even throughout the Second World War, have all face to face collections been cancelled.

So today, as we bring our Poppy Appeal to a close, I would like to thank each and every one of you for getting involved in this year's Appeal, whether you donated, displayed a Poppy in your window, signed up to Poppies in the Post, bought a poppy, did a virtual Poppy Run, fundraised for the Legion or showed your support in some other way.

It was both inspiring and moving to see so many people participating in different creative ways to pay tribute to the men and women who have fought – and fallen – over the years. Whether you created your own Remembrance event, took part in the two minutes silence on your door step, or simply wore your poppy as a symbol of your support, you were part of something truly special, and all of us at the Legion are so grateful to you.

We’ve created a short message for you here to say thank you for helping us make every poppy count this year. I hope you will take a few moments to take a look.

With very kind regards,

Simon O’Leary
Assistant Director of Fundraising, Poppy Appeal

The most effective way to recycle the poppy is to return it to your local Sainsbury’s store after the Remembrance period. All Sainsbury’s stores will have recycling units between 12th – 27th November 2020.

All collected poppies will be broken down into their component parts and either recycled or repurposed into new poppies for next year’s appeal. Thank you for helping the Legion do our bit for the environment!

[Terrier]

Poppy shop online has loads of choice, i got my bfc one off there and got my wife one of the posh ones!

[Burnley1989]

Serious response:

Local shops and Supermarkets are still open because we still need to eat. (Got my poppies from Spar shop)
The likes of Macdonalds & Greggs are still open

People aren’t going out though, I’d make sure I always wore one on a day out or whilst out visiting customers at work, I’m not though so have just had the plastic one you get for your coat zip, I bought whilst shopping in colne. I honestly wouldn't read into it too much

[wilks_bfc]

Like others have said, not many people going out as often.

I only got mine last Sunday when went to B&Q, but I haven’t been out to wear it anyway

[Dazzler]

It's just disheartening.

They give their all....folk could make an effort...

[IanMcL]

Luckily, I went to Tesco, a couple of weeks ago and there was a stall there. I picked up the simple one, as is traditional. The woman said "You can have a badge, if you prefer ". I told her that if I had a vadfe I might wear it every year! She advised that it had the year on. I said, "That wouldn't worry me!"
Not going out much restricted use. I taped it to the baister end, at bottom of stairs. Still there!

Royal British Legion really needs the funds. They fund for the long term. Help the Heroes come and go and move on

[Nonayforever]

Without going into detail, one of the reasons you aren't seeing poppies for sale as in the past, there has been a parting of the ways between the sellers and the beneficiaries in our local area.

[Dazzler]

Watched this the other night...Much better than the film 1917 the Missus and I paid to see at the cinema.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BlbdNq1UCE

[TheFamilyCat]

It's just disheartening.

They give their all....folk could make an effort...

Surely the point is to raise funds.

Judge people's "effort" on how much the appeal raises not on how many people you have seen (during a lockdown!) wearing a poppy.

[Dazzler]

Wear Your Poppy With Pride

[Rileybobs]

Judging people for not wearing a poppy is a bit sad.

I’ve not seen a single person selling poppies this year, for obvious reasons.

[Dazzler]

Judging people for not wearing a poppy is a bit sad.

I’ve not seen a single person selling poppies this year, for obvious reasons.

It's more than sad...Like I've mentioned, It's disheartening

Also, supermarkets and the like have plentiful

[Rileybobs]

It's more than sad...Like I've mentioned, It's disheartening

Also, supermarkets and the like have plentiful

I’m not saying that you can’t buy a poppy somewhere, just that I haven’t seen any for sale. I’m guessing a lot of people are probably in a similar position to me.

It’s really not worth you worrying about. Wearing a poppy because you feel like you’ll be judged by people (like yourself) for not doing goes totally against the reason for wear one.

[exilecanada]

Wear Your Poppy With Pride

I do, and always will until the the day I'm no longer able. We get poppies delivered by mail from Canadian Legion, as for donations, I dropped a few $$ in a collection box in a local shop. I watched the ceremony as always, saluted and shed a few tears, as always.


LEST WE FORGET

[superdimitri]

Watched this the other night...Much better than the film 1917 the Missus and I paid to see at the cinema.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BlbdNq1UCE

I watched that expecting it to be a film.
You do know there's a difference between a theatrical film and a documentary with reenactments right?
1917 was a grand film imo, but if you went to the cinema expecting 1917 to be a documentary I could see being disappointed, perhaps we just have different taste!

[tiger76]

I’m not saying that you can’t buy a poppy somewhere, just that I haven’t seen any for sale. I’m guessing a lot of people are probably in a similar position to me.

It’s really not worth you worrying about. Wearing a poppy because you feel like you’ll be judged by people (like yourself) for not doing goes totally against the reason for wear one.

Exactly those generations fought for freedom, if you start barracking people for not wearing a poppy whatever their reasons, then you are totally missing the point, even if most people aren't wearing them this year it doesn't mean that they don't care or haven't donated,, surely that's more important than buying or wearing a poppy, especially when few could go to remembrance events, or even go out as much as they normally would.

I've no doubt if circumstances allow next year it'll all be back to normal, this is why the RBL and others have been urging folks to donate online, as they still desperately need the funds, this is where technology really comes into it's own at times like this.

[Dazzler]

I wasn't going to mention this for obvious reasons but sod it...I am:

This afternoon whilst walking to Asda a BMW M3? pulled out of the bottom exit of Asda, as it came towards me I noticed both the driver & passenger look over to me, as it was passing the driver revved his engine furiously and the passenger shouted something towards me of which I couldn't make out due to the noise of the engine and exhausts.

I don't know them from fecking Adam...there was only one thing that could have sparked them....displaying a poppy

[Rileybobs]

I wasn't going to mention this for obvious reasons but sod it...I am:

This afternoon whilst walking to Asda a BMW M3? pulled out of the bottom exit of Asda, as it came towards me I noticed both the driver & passenger look over to me, as it was passing the driver revved his engine furiously and the passenger shouted something towards me of which I couldn't make out due to the noise of the engine.

I don't know them from fecking Adam...there was only one thing that could have sparked them....displaying a poppy

Do you not think you’re overthinking it? After all, you have judged people for not wearing poppies on this thread, so maybe it’s natural that you think that people are judging you for wearing one.

[Awayfromburnley]

I believe all service men and women deserve to be remembered and politicians should also be forced to speak to 100 service personnel before committing to a conflict (excluding immediate threats).

That said I don't get the judgement on people who don't wear a poppy. It's a surreal flashback to some sort of primary school religious instruction that people follow.

I also can't understand the strange obsession with people telling others what they've done to remember people. "ooh I stood on my doorstep, didn't see many out, shame on them" etc

Dont get me started on informal ceremonies this year, and people not social distancing, as though they are immune.

[Dazzler]

Do you not think you’re overthinking it? After all, you have judged people for not wearing poppies on this thread, so maybe it’s natural that you think that people are judging you for wearing one.

I wouldn't say they were judging me, as I am not judging anyone else.
they have their reasons for the dislke of the displaying of poppies.

Also, for me it's just what I have observed this past week or so.

[Devils_Advocate]

I wasn't going to mention this for obvious reasons but sod it...I am:

This afternoon whilst walking to Asda a BMW M3? pulled out of the bottom exit of Asda, as it came towards me I noticed both the driver & passenger look over to me, as it was passing the driver revved his engine furiously and the passenger shouted something towards me of which I couldn't make out due to the noise of the engine and exhausts.

I don't know them from fecking Adam...there was only one thing that could have sparked them....displaying a poppy

I had a similar experience to yesterday walking down to the local garage to pick my car up. Some guys in a blue Peugeot were staring at me, wound down their windows and shouted something incoherent at me

No idea who they were.......but only thing I could think of was.......I wasnt wearing my poppy

[Dazzler]

I believe all service men and women deserve to be remembered and politicians should also be forced to speak to 100 service personnel before committing to a conflict (excluding immediate threats).

Maybe it's because I am a former squaddie that I feel so passionate about the displaying of poppies.

[berbs78]

I had a similar experience to yesterday walking down to the local garage to pick my car up. Some guys in a blue Peugeot were staring at me, wound down their windows and shouted something incoherent at me

No idea who they were.......but only thing I could think of was.......I wasnt wearing my poppy

Maybe it's because they know you're a prick

[thelaughingclaret]

http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... 98e2aff2e6

[Devils_Advocate]

Maybe it's because they know you're a prick

Im pretty sure they didnt know me from Adam

[Rileybobs]

http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... 98e2aff2e6

’ These changes mean there must be no threads that could be considered political, religious, race related or COVID.’

This thread isn’t political, religious, race or COVID-related.

[ClaretAndJew]

The freedom that was fought for by our brave men and women of the armed forces also includes the freedom to not wear a poppy.

It's not the poppy on display that helps, it's the actions behind the donations made.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Not sure what the fuss is tbh.

If you want to donate and wear a poppy then great.
If you want to donate but not wear one then great.

If you don't want to donate or wear one then fine.

At no point do any of those options give you the right to bully/intimidate/look down upon someone for their choice.

People also need to stop worrying about what others think about their choices and just do what they've always done regardless.

Personally I'll donate but not wear, mainly because I'll lose it quickly enough.

[claret2018]

People like Dazzler are why I haven’t worn one for years

[Greenmile]

Wearing a poppy is just virtue-signalling, isn’t it? “Look at me! I’ve donated to the RBL!”

I always drop a few quid in their tin but decline the poppy. Not had the chance this year, so I’ll probably donate online on payday.

[Dazzler]

Most of the responding posts make sense.

But it did get me thinking after that encounter. wondering if folk did actually fear some sort of ear-bashing for wearing a poppy.

It has been known.

[Dazzler]

I watched that expecting it to be a film.
You do know there's a difference between a theatrical film and a documentary with reenactments right?

Wow! patronizing or what?

[superdimitri]

Wow! patronizing or what?

Not trying to patronize at all. Was confused why you compared an amateur documentary on YouTube to a theatrical film. I enjoyed the documentary though, so thanks for posting it.

[Dazzler]

we are fast becoming a gutless society.

[Heathclaret]

For sale in the Chip Shop where my daughter works. Very close to an RAF base.

I don’t think it’s virtue signalling to wear a poppy, I don’t, but that’s because of the work I do.

[Inchy]

I was at the supermarket the other day and this daft bloke had a 3 foot poppy across his chest and was shouting at people “lest we forget”.

Think he was drunk

I revved my car at him and he seemed to get the message

[Burnley1989]

I was at the supermarket the other day and this daft bloke had a 3 foot poppy across his chest and was shouting at people “lest we forget”.

Think he was drunk

I revved my car at him and he seemed to get the message

[Bordeauxclaret]

It’s not enough to care about something now. You have to let random people know you care.

[evensteadiereddie]

we are fast becoming a gutless society.

An explanation of what you mean would be helpful.

[Sausage]

Wearing a poppy is just virtue-signalling, isn’t it? “Look at me! I’ve donated to the RBL!”

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.

[evensteadiereddie]

As is describing our society, for some strange reason, as "fast becoming gutless".

[Jakubclaret]

Don't see the big deal you wear 1 or you don't, it's a matter of personal choice. I wear 1 but I don't disapprove or judge people that don't.

[Dazzler]

An explanation of what you mean would be helpful.

The quote is taken from a statement I read elsewhere:

Wore mine and attended at a cenotaph with a couple of hundred others, we all individually arrived there. Vets stood guard and a bugler played. 5 bobbies were in attendance one of whom was displaying a chest full of medals. Wreaths were laid and respect paid. Shameless it did not happen everywhere. We are now a nation of gutless not fit to lick our forefathers shoes. Shame on us.

[Billy Balfour]

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.