Quote Mintball="Mintball"Hang on a minute. Cibaman voiced an opinion. He didn't have a dig at anyone here, that I can see. He was perfectly civilised in voicing that opinion. You may not agree with it, which is fine.
But since plenty of people call me out for being sarcy ...
As it happens, I'm uncomfortable with what he describes too. It's a really peculiar balance – and it's interesting that I'm not alone in feeling uncomfortable about this.
I have absolutely no problem with the poppy itself; with the fundraising or with the act of remembrance – I've made it clear here before that I think the latter in particular is very important. Where I'm working, a two-minute silence will be observed throughout the building tomorrow. Absolutely right.
But yes, it seems (and that word is important, because this [iis[/i a subjective reaction) that there is a sort of competition to wear one as early as possible each year. And I think that that arises particularly because of the televisual media and the sudden blossoming of poppies everywhere, while we're still in October.
If that is the case, does it not detract from the real meaning of the poppy?'"
I think you're only seeing that sort of competition because you're looking for it. If your first thought upon seeing someone wearing a poppy in October is "Ooh look at 'im, must be the first with a poppy, how cringeworthy, oh yes", then that says more about your mindset than anything.
I've not noticed any competition of the sort. Yes, I've noticed people wearing them fairly early, I've got one myself and I didn't ask myself what date it was when I got it. I couldn't care less if someone buys one 2 days or 2 months before Armistice Day and it's a bit anal and rather pathetic (and frankly none of his business) for him to be declaring that he 'cringes' if he sees someone wearing one a bit earlier than he finds tasteful.
Personally, I think "well done for donating".
As for the TV - I imagine there are directives for these things instructing presenters one what date they must start wearing poppies. If viewers find that too much, they can always complain.
It's supposed to be a gesture and a donation, it's supposed to stand for something. Whoever suddenly finds themselves feeling all self-righteous and uppity about how long they feel it is appropriate to wear poppies should probably take a deep breath and get over it. What the poppy represents is a little more important.
