Poppies are out

[AB Editor]

Do you always take a handful to make sure you can put one on all your jackets, and not be "caught short" during the week? Apparently this is common practice according to the poppy lady I saw on the weekend.

Seems a thoroughly sensible idea.

The AnswerGnome is already paying his poppy-based respects - are you going to change your avatar to contain a poppy?

[EvianBaby]

I usually buy a few just to make sure my Dad has one if he hasn't had the chance to get one and because they fall off so easily.

[redman41]

Well done Ed ! A show of respect is well appreciated
Only got one Poppy which I bought the other day in Waitrose

[Davethedog]

Buy metal ones now

[missnemesis]

///The AnswerGnome is already paying his poppy-based respects - are you going to change your avatar to contain a poppy?\\\

Too late AbGnome I changed mine weeks ago.

[rowanwitch]

I have an av that has the red ones a purple one for the animals that died in war and awhite one for the hope of peace... I will put my soldier and wreath one back on nearer the 11th..

Only buy one poppy if I lose it...so be it... might send off for a pin type though as I have a purple one of those

[China Doll]

I don't wear them.

[China Doll]

Oh, and no, I won't change my avatar either.

I don't see why I have to wear or show a poppy just so people can see how respectful I am or that I give to charity.

[rowanwitch]

I normally lose mine after a couple of days....

[jno]

it's like walking around carrying a sign saying "I GIVE TO CHARITY". I don't do it.

[jno]

ah, like wot CD says.

[China Doll]

Innit though jno! ;0)

[AB Editor]

I don't know if it's just that. I think it's recognition of the defining narrative of the last 100 years, not just "I'M A GOOD PERSON INNIT". Also, as a symbol it is profoundly powerful.

[EvianBaby]

I don't like all these fancy jewel encrusted poppies. They sort of defeat the point to me and depending on where you get them from, how do you know the money you pay for it is going to the right place. You might aswell just wear a nice broach.

[Old_Geezer]

Haven't taken a 'poppy day' poppy for years. Had put coins in the tin but still do not understand why war veterans would need to beg charity anyway. Does our government ignore our war heroes or something ? But I'm not really into these shows, I don't see what they achieve to be honest. Continually bringing up the past is something I associate with other countries, other cultures, who find it difficult to move on.

No, since you ask, I'm not going to change my avatar to add a poppy, neither on the day nor six weeks ahead, which appears to be the current aim, as the start date slips back each year.

[Ankou]

"take a handful to make sure you can put one on all your jackets, and not be "caught short" "

i'm not sure whether that is 'i'm a good person innit' or whether its a 'i don't want people to think bad of me for not having it on' decision. either way, it defeats the objective dunnit ?

[ummmm]

I don't wear one. I buy them, but I don't wear them.

[China Doll]

I was trying to be tactful so avoided comment on that Ankou (I couldn't think of a way of putting it nicely), so I bow to your efforts... :c)

[rowanwitch]

I suppose when your family can still talk about their experiences in the war and recount their parents tales from the first one and when there are men and women still fighting in foreign fields It doesn't hurt to wear a symbol that says I thought about this...not as a symbol of charity but of sadness for the waste and horror

[China Doll]

To me that just goes back to wearing it to show you're a good person because you thought about it Rowan. We hear about people dying in wars daily on the news. My grandfather lied about his age so he could join the navy for the second world war and still describes the war as 'the best time of his life', yes, he actually enjoyed the war. I don't need to wear a flower to show people I've thought about it, my thoughts are not the business of Joe Public. :c)

[AB Editor]

O_G. I think 7 days before the event is reasonable for websites, TV etc, as it reminds people who may want to wear one that it's almost time.