poppy's

[Rooter]

Two fold post, one.

I am in Frankfurt tomorrow for an exhibition, what is the view/stance on wearing a poppy in Germany? I genuinely don't know and can not really find much out online, so looking for some first hand experience. My thoughts right now are wear it, as most simply have no idea what its about and those that do support or at least understand its meaning, but last thing i want to do is offend people, that's what i come here for!


Two:

Just bought my poppy from an elderly lady in town, she told me she has been selling them every year since she was 14, she told me she is now 82! I said she deserved a medal for it! For which she replied with "I got one last year love" #Brilliant!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

You will be fine wearing a poppy in Germany - they fully understand what it means

Every year we used to help the RAFA sell poppies at Supermarkets - there was a big problem two years ago when Tescos wouldn't let the old guy ( 81 ) stand inside to sell them so he stood outside freezing - when our boss arrived to help him he went ballistic - spoke to the manager who said he couldn't allow him to stand inside because of some company policy - we promptly left and went to Waitrose instead - saw lots of people promptly put shopping down and follow him to Waitrose

This year he is in Morrisons and Homebase and warm with lots of help

Saw on Facebook another Morrisons has refused to allow another vet to stand inside

 

[Val]

My own personal view is you do not have to wear a poppy to show respect for the fallen, personally if i was in Germany I wouldn't wear one.

I appreciate this view may be shared with very few.

And before people jump at my comment I will add I am ex forces so understand all about wearing a poppy and I do always have one at this time of year I just don't wear it everywhere.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I agree with Val. Some may see it as rubbing their noses in it a little. Why push things? Wait until you come back and wear it then.

 

[CMAC]

You will be fine wearing a poppy in Germany - they fully understand what it means

Every year we used to help the RAFA sell poppies at Supermarkets - there was a big problem two years ago when Tescos wouldn't let the old guy ( 81 ) stand inside to sell them so he stood outside freezing - when our boss arrived to help him he went ballistic - spoke to the manager who said he couldn't allow him to stand inside because of some company policy - we promptly left and went to Waitrose instead - saw lots of people promptly put shopping down and follow him to Waitrose

This year he is in Morrisons and Homebase and warm with lots of help

Saw on Facebook another Morrisons has refused to allow another vet to stand inside

if thats true then Morrisons will lose any cash from me in the future.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

if thats true then Morrisons will lose any cash from me in the future.

How true it is im not sure

 

[woody69]

I agree with Val. Some may see it as rubbing their noses in it a little. Why push things? Wait until you come back and wear it then.

Rubbing whose noses in what? The poppy is a symbol to commemorate all of the falllen on the battlefield, not just British. It is a mark of respect to every soldier that fought for their country and died.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The poppy has become the symbol of the Allies from that period of history, WW1 & 2. That it represents more is not always seen by others. I am sure most Germans would not mind but some may feel uncomfortable and some may be hostile. Why push that button? The poster is a guest in that country, we are friends now, so being sensitive to certain issues is a wise move in my experience.

 

[woody69]

The poppy has become the symbol of the Allies from that period of history, WW1 & 2. That it represents more is not always seen by others. I am sure most Germans would not mind but some may feel uncomfortable and some may be hostile. Why push that button? The poster is a guest in that country, we are friends now, so being sensitive to certain issues is a wise move in my experience.

Then they need to be educated, because that is not what it represents.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

The poppy has become the symbol of the Allies from that period of history, WW1 & 2. That it represents more is not always seen by others. I am sure most Germans would not mind but some may feel uncomfortable and some may be hostile. Why push that button? The poster is a guest in that country, we are friends now, so being sensitive to certain issues is a wise move in my experience.

Whilst out in Kandahar we had a memorial service for Remeberance Sunday - there was a group of German Army Personel on the base who attended and wore a poppy and their CO laid a wreath of poppies

 

[c1973]

Whatever you do, if you do wear it, don't get into an argument with any German over it..........you'll only end up telling them that 'they started it....'

 

[Adi2Dassler]

I don't wear a poppy, I do put my change in the poppy appeal tins whenever possible though.

My reason for not wearing one is personal and probably seen as childish by folk on here.

The highjacking of the whole poppy appeal/WWI by the maroon hoardes in Edinburgh turns my stomach.I know all about Contalmaison, I know all about the players from other team who perished there too.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Maroon hoardes ? Who are they ?

 

[c1973]

Hearts fans.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Whilst out in Kandahar we had a memorial service for Remeberance Sunday - there was a group of German Army Personel on the base who attended and wore a poppy and their CO laid a wreath of poppies

I am not surprised at that. Most Germans are very sensitive and apologetic towards their recent history. The poster is going to be at an exhibition however, it is work. Do you want to be potentially upsetting some people, potential or existing customers on a work trip? It is up to the poster but I don't wear my poppy when I am across at that time and I don't remember others wearing them either. Nobody makes an issue of it, it is just being sensitive to those around you.

Clearly plenty will not agree but that is my view. Post when you come back as to how it went and whether poppies were worn.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

if thats true then Morrisons will lose any cash from me in the future.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...side-in-cold-9820878.html?cmpid=facebook-post

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Thought the poppy was now seen as a universal sign of rememberance and so you'd be respecting the German fallen too.

 

[Slab]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...side-in-cold-9820878.html?cmpid=facebook-post

So the British legion wanted the old fella outside to increase sales and a passer-by thought he should have been inside to be warmer & has a go at the manager who didn't know an 89yr old veteran had taken the afternoon shift (not sure if passer-by has also had a go at British legion yet or not)

And it makes the national press as newsworthy (no thanks again to social media)

 

[Ethan]

I don't wear a poppy, I do put my change in the poppy appeal tins whenever possible though.

My reason for not wearing one is personal and probably seen as childish by folk on here.

The highjacking of the whole poppy appeal/WWI by the maroon hoardes in Edinburgh turns my stomach.I know all about Contalmaison, I know all about the players from other team who perished there too.

The same is true of the Orange Order types in NI. Many Catholics and southern Irishmen died in WWI, but the poppy has been adopted as an extension of loyalism and support for the loyalist conception of "Ulster", hence it is a highly politicised symbol and many or most NI Catholics will therefore not wear one, myself included.

 

[Val]

The same is true of the Orange Order types in NI. Many Catholics and southern Irishmen died in WWI, but the poppy has been adopted as an extension of loyalism and support for the loyalist conception of "Ulster", hence it is a highly politicised symbol and many or most NI Catholics will therefore not wear one, myself included.

Not my reasoning but the reason there was such carry on at Celtic Park over poppies on shirts and minutes silences not being observed. I agree poppies shouldn't be forced on football shirts or on anyone for that matter but the non observing of minutes silences was shameful.