Current Events > It's that awkward time of year again when my parents insist I wear a poppy.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Any other British folks have this problem? To them it's just a simple show of remembrance, but uh....bit more complicated for my generation.

Boomers really love their poppies.

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What the fuck is a poppy?

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Have you tried telling them you dont care about the vets?

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Fuck the people who saved the world from the Nazis am I right?

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I kinda stopped wearing one... Mostly because I didn't really leave the house for a few years. I saw a box of them at the liquor store yesterday but had no spare change to get one.

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YourDrunkFather posted...

Fuck the people who saved the world from the Nazis am I right?

Yes that's absolutely what I think about every time, well done

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It does seem a bit nationalist and imperialist, and comes with a lot of visible social pressure.

And as an American, trust me when I say I can recognize that.

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*plays In Flanders Fields on bagpipes*

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CyricZ posted...

It does seem a bit nationalist and imperialist, and comes with a lot of visible social pressure.

And as an American, trust me when I say I can recognize that.

The social pressure is the interesting part. People were virtue signalling about poppy's long before that ever become a hot button term. Particularly if a newscaster dared go on TV in november without one.

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Yeah but in a little while you will grow up even more and can be turned into powerful pain relievers with possible addiction issues!

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pinky0926 posted...

The social pressure is the interesting part.

Yeah because it's such a visible thing, I think.

Like in America, there are flags everywhere on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, but they're typically held in the hand, not necessarily worn on the lapel. So I feel like there's less of a social expectation there.


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Its a small act that means so much. You dont HAVE to, but it DOES say something about you if you choose not to. When you think of all the things you've for social status, its telling to draw the line at the poppy.

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I wear one every year, but I don't think negatively of people who don't (in fact, to be completely honest, I don't think I've ever actually noticed whether some random on the street is wearing one or not).

I do tend to think a bit less of people who are very vocal and outspoken about not wearing one, though - quietly not wearing one is one this, going out of your way to loudly make a point of it is pretty disrespectful, though (and, conversely, I also find it a bit garish and disrespectful when people - usually on presenters on Saturday night TV - make a big deal of having some big glam custom sparkly poppy incorporated into their outfit like a fashion accessory)

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Jerry_Hellyeah posted...

Its a small act that means so much. You dont HAVE to, but it DOES say something about you if you choose not to. When you think of all the things you've for social status, its telling to draw the line at the poppy.

What does it mean, exactly?

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Poppies are for smoking, and hamburger buns.

Jerry_Hellyeah posted...

Its a small act that means so much. You dont HAVE to, but it DOES say something about you if you choose not to. When you think of all the things you've for social status, its telling to draw the line at the poppy.

It's less that I can't be bothered with the gesture and more that I respectfully disagree with the gesture.

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Remember when the BBC made Cookie Monster wear a poppy by sticking the needle through his skin?



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pinky0926 posted...

and more that I respectfully disagree with the gesture

this isn't going to end well.

YourDrunkFather posted...

Fuck the people who saved the world from the Nazis am I right?

It's been almost a century, it's about time to move on.

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Turbam posted...

What the fuck is a poppy?

A plant used to make opium/heroin etc
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pinky0926 posted...

It's less that I can't be bothered with the gesture and more that I respectfully disagree with the gesture.

Isn't it a gesture to remember soldiers who have died in battle since WWI? What aspect of that gesture do you disagree with?

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Turbam posted...

What the fuck is a poppy?

beats me but I know what a poppy seed is

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Are you only supposed to wear one if you had family that fought in the war or something?

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Norman_Smiley posted...

Isn't it a gesture to remember soldiers who have died in battle since WWI? What aspect of that gesture do you disagree with?

Personally, it just feels pointless to me. The one minute silence at 11am feels better at least, as actually doing something, the wearing of a poppy feels more like you want others to know you've done something.

I don't really care if someone wants to wear one, but also never really seen anyone care if someone does or not other than for those on TV.
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Its interesting the reactions you get when you donate to the RSA on Anzac Day, but don't wear the poppy when you get it.

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Always wear one.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oXnnbjC7Fok

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EmbraceOfDeath posted...

It's been almost a century, it's about time to move on.

Lest we forget.

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Turbam posted...

What the fuck is a poppy?

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

@Turbam

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FurryPhilosifer posted...

Remember when the BBC made Cookie Monster wear a poppy by sticking the needle through his skin?

And hes the monster. Sons of bitches.

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canadian here (just for some context to anecdotal stories)

in general I don't think it's super common for people to wear them this early in november, or in the later portion of november. but many people wear one the few days before and basically everyone wears one on the 11th if they leave their house (and even many people who don't leave). I don't remember ever hearing anyone get ragged on for not doing it, or getting visibly pressured into it, because everyone just kinda does it. I wonder if the popularity of it is in part because the poet was canadian, I dunno

I always kinda thought of the poppy as a symbol for (and rememberance for) the rank and file of the wars, so it's a little strange to me that someone would be particularly opposed to wearing it regardless of their stance on wars/conflict itself

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