Job interviews and poppies

Hi all,

   I'm in the job market for the first time really in the UK (I prearranged the job that I previously had here before arriving, but that company has just gone bust), and I have my first job interview tomorrow.  Among everything else that I'm worried about, it just occurred to me that all the guys around are wearing the poppies on their suits, and was wondering if there is some rule of thumb to go by to know if I should wear one or not.

Will it look badly if I'm not wearing one?  Is it even appropriate for me to wear on to a job interview?

thanks for entertaining the odd question.

I don't think it will look badly if you aren't wearing one.  If it were me, I wouldn't wear one to a job interview, but I don't think it would reflect badly if you were wearing one either.  So it's really your choice.

Tough call.  Some people might look at it as a mark of respect, but others might be put off by a foreigner wearing one.  I think I'd probably opt for not wearing one, as the lesser of two possible evils. 

wait, could someone explain this to me?? all men are wearing flowers on their suit to work?? real ones?!  every day?!  is there a reason?

wait, could someone explain this to me?? all men are wearing flowers on their suit to work?? real ones?!  every day?!  is there a reason?

Cloth poppy flowers, worn from Nov 1 up to and including Remembrance Day on Nov 11, which is to remember those who died fighting in all wars, but notably WW1 which ended on Nov11 1918(take notes, this has a chance of being on the Life in the UK test).

ETA:  I wouldn't wear one for the exact reason Historyenne listed, they would probably see you as a poser.

They're plastic, generally, or paper or sometimes a little lapel pin.  They're sold as a fundraiser for British servicemen's organisations.  They're meant to be worn in the week before Remembrance Sunday (Veteran's Day, essentially), by men and women alike.  I've considered getting one, but I'm not sure how that would be received since I'm not British.  

They're plastic, generally, or paper or sometimes a little lapel pin.  They're sold as a fundraiser for British servicemen's organisations.  They're meant to be worn in the week before Remembrance Sunday (Veteran's Day, essentially), by men and women alike.  I've considered getting one, but I'm not sure how that would be received since I'm not British.  

I've worn one and no one has said a word. My Irish husband wears one every year. If you feel you want to support the British servicemen then by all means I think you should wear one.

I think it's one of those things where if you've thought about it, you probably shouldn't.

If it's something you always do unconsciously (like I'm a big poppy wearer, I always buy and wear at least one as soon as the British legion start selling them every year) you probably wouldn't have thought of it either way, but the fact that you're thinking you might look out of place or offend by wearing one means you probably shouldn't wear one.

I seriously don't think there's an issue with non-brits wearing poppies, my DB is wearing one. I don't always support war or the reasons for war, but I am very supportive of those who are injured or otherwise affected in the line of duty (and their families of course), if you feel like you want to make a contribution to support those service people then you should wear one with pride.

I agree with cheesebiscuit - I don't think anyone would take it badly if a non-British person were wearing a poppy.  It's a show of support for servicemen and women.  Surely if you support the cause, you have every right to wear one.

I bought one for the first time last year in Edinburgh Airport.  I felt very moved by the whole thing and wanted to show my support.

They're plastic, generally, or paper or sometimes a little lapel pin.  They're sold as a fundraiser for British servicemen's organisations.  They're meant to be worn in the week before Remembrance Sunday (Veteran's Day, essentially), by men and women alike.  I've considered getting one, but I'm not sure how that would be received since I'm not British.  

Please wear one.  I do; but, my DH is in the British Forces.  I have also seen American military personnel wearing them when they are in the UK.  It is a sign of respect and it doesn't matter where you come from.  

thanks for the explanation!

glad i learned that here rather than in front of coworkers!

I wouldn't think twice about buying and wearing a poppy - same as any other charity I supported.  But I might hesitate to wear anything like that to a job interview.  You want the emphasis to be on yourself and your skills.

Please wear one.  I do; but, my DH is in the British Forces.  I have also seen American military personnel wearing them when they are in the UK.  It is a sign of respect and it doesn't matter where you come from.  

Thanks, Dar, I think I will.   

It was actually started by an American and were first worn in the US.  I think it fell out of fashion after we renamed it Veteran's Day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day][url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day[/url]

Please wear one.  I do; but, my DH is in the British Forces.  I have also seen American military personnel wearing them when they are in the UK.  It is a sign of respect and it doesn't matter where you come from.  

I was actually going to say something similar! My husbands RAF and we were just talking about this the other day. The Poppies are for anyone who wants to support the military and as remembrance for veterans. Even if you don't feel comfortable to were the flower please donate.