Do you wear a poppy?
 

That time of the year again. Also if so, when do you start to wear it? Seems to be starting earlier and earlier each year. The internets tells me that the US doesn't but the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada & Serf Effrika all do so just wondering who on here does.

#ja

Yep! Americans don't, though.

So what's all this about?

Don't support war, nor am I a particularly charitable person. If it makes me a douche I don't care I'd rather have the 50p or whatever a poppy is for myself.

Poppy Appeal.

Remembrance poppy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are white poppies too, symbolising peace and an end to war, as well as purple ones for animals injured in war. Can see why people take umbrage at the red ones though, as they were originally created to raise money for victims of WW1, and it is obviously not just about that now is it.

I wear mine for months and don't care if it's in season or not. I also wear the same one I've had for years; it's all crinkled, mishaped and faded, but I kinda like it like that.

I'm a sucker for charity and can't walk past a collection box without reaching for change. I'm only goin' to spend it on drugs or music or whatever and figure (and hope) it'll be put to better use in their hands than mine. Life's good right now. But the future is uncertain, who's to say I won't rely on a charity of some sort or another in years to come...

I don't see them as supporting war. Rather I see the poppy as a symbol of our freedom, for which millions of soldiers and civilians sacrificed their lives.

I agree with you, I don't see them as supporting war either. But to be honest I'm not sure how I feel about the appeal now supporting current soldiers.

I think the main thing is if people are going to wear it, wear it with pride and for the right reasons, don't feel bullied into it by the poppy police, don't use it as a symbol to attack minorities/religion etc or to showcase your charity.

& Let people who choose not to wear them, not wear them. The fact that they have the choice is testament to what it's all about.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

Is this the same poppy as the artificial poppy flowers Veterans sell? If so I usually buy them whenever I see a veteran sell them. Or receive them complimentary for a small donation. And I only wear it for a few hours, I don't wear them for days - I don't know what you mean they start earlier each year. I actually keep one hanging on my locker at work.

I wore them in my hair when I was too young to understand the symbolism. Now I really don't care. The only veterans I have any sympathy for are the ones who were trucked off to Vietnam against their will.

No idea to be honest mate. I meant the Poppy Appeal, yours is a different appeal - Remembrance poppy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Still a poppy though, so that's a yes in the poll :cool:.

I usually notice it with TV presenters, they were wearing them from October this year. I always just thought November 1st - 11th :confused:.

Yes I believe so. I'm not sure how this whole poppy business works in the US but yeah if they are like artificial pins or brooches, that's what you're getting. Your monetary support really helps them.

Well this what is handed out here for a small donation. It looks slightly different than to the ones that are made in the common wealth.
http://vfwpost4305.com/wp-content/up...oppy_Trans.png

So they basically celebrate Veterans day for two weeks.

We only have a day stateside where vets can eat for free at certain restaurants.

Well I did say grieving and being offended are like national sports here.

Two days.

Veteran's Day is only one day though, that's what I'm talking about.

Of course there is Memorial's day but there isn't two days worth of Veteran's Day around the same time that they do Poppy stuff.

I always pin a poppy on me during ANZAC day (early in the year) because it contributes to helping ageing veterans who helped protect our country from war on our shores as Japan was close to Australia and we would have been the next on the list. I have the utmost respect for the veterans, especially because my grandfather was in the second world war (he ended up an alcoholic) and he had constant post traumatic stress disorder because of the horror he witnessed, such as his mates because kill in front of him. If it wasn't for my grandfather successfully getting to the end of the war and defending our allies, he could have been killed and my dad wouldn't exist nor me.

freedom from what exactly? I don't recall a time where Britain was ever in danger of being made a nation of slaves.
The closest we've had is William Wallace fighting the English over not wanting to pay his taxes.

the guy from braveheart?? dude that was mel gibson

Okay, maybe that was the wrong thing to say. How about they fought to protect your nation from being run over by Nazis and Italian fascists.

Looks like "Yes", and "Anal Beads" are neck and neck. If the latter wins, just be sure not to use baby shampoo.

I dont wear a poppy every year. I have done in the past and the fact I haven't for the past two or three means simply that and no more. I may or may not get one next year.

The 'poppy police' were mentioned earlier in this thread and this has become a huge annoyance of mine. It makes me ****ing angry.

Two high profile news stories this year in regards to a refusal to wear a poppy have been a news reporter who has received a torrent of abuse, some racial, for her decision not to wear one and also a footballer by the name of James McClean who was allegedly dropped by his club, Wigan, for that weekends game because he refused to wear the kit with the poppy design sewn into it. I've read these reports and scoured comments and honestly, the abuse directed towards these people far, far outweighs those speaking in their defence.

The news woman has stated she donates to charities, but chooses not to wear the poppy. James McClean was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. Has anyone heard of Bloody Sunday? I don't understand at all why anyone would take such an issue with him not particularly wanting to take part in a show of solidarity and respect to the British army.

I'm not saying I dont respect those in the forces. I am also fully aware of what conscription was so its not always so easy to simply say I dont support war or have sympathy for its casualties. I just personally cant help but find myself somewhat annoyed by some of the more vocal and patriotic around me at this time of year.

I find it very ironic that these very same people keep telling me how the poppy is a symbol of our freedom. The very same freedom of choice they seem to want to deny anyone who doesnt fall in line and display one.

^^ You know what some people are like. If everyone ain't doin' as they do, ain't playin' by the same rules, they take issue and start doubting the validity of their game.

That person ain't wearing a poppy! How can that be! Selfish bastard! Have they no morals?

I suspect their internal dialogue is something like that...

Yep, saw it. The Wigan story is meant to be bollocks though, Coyle said it wasn't linked to the poppy. However he did do the same last year, played in a Sunderland shirt with no poppy on and got slaughtered for it.

Why would he wear it? He is Irish. If McClean wears a poppy, chances are his family will receive abuse or come under attack. My granddad is actually from Belfast, I know what went on and I fully support his decision not to wear one. With him being from Norn Iron, he just can't win. He is going to upset somebody whatever he does.

The fucking poppy police :o:

Forcing someone to wear something that symbolises freedom is fucking embarrassing.

I don't share his views but he has a right to hold them. Freedom of thought and choice is what they fought for.

Also, I don't really want someone wearing the poppy when they hold views like his.

And the poppy should not be on a football shirt btw.

EDIT - Also did Sergio Aguero wear one?

I can only assume he did because I figure I wouldnt have been able to escape that news if he hadnt.

Obviously McClean isnt the only Irish player here and probably most of them do wear the poppy, but I am surprised that some people are so outraged when someone doesnt want to wear one, and so when you consider exactly where it is in Ireland McClean is from it should make perfect ****ing sense. I would have thought so anyway but clearly this is not the case. He did get a lot of stick for it when he was here at Sunderland too but the club publically stated it was his decision and they respected it. I really do hope the Wigan story isnt accurate and that he wasnt dropped for that reason.

Yes I wear it every Year

With a lot of my family being in the Service's (Including my younger Sister) or ex servicemen/women, I see it as a sign of respect to everyone who has served their country/fallen in every war, regardless of which side they fought on.

Wearing a poppy isn't a thing in the U.S. The only place I've ever heard about wearing them is the UK.