Wear Your Poppy With Pride.

Every year, since I was a child, I have always worn a poppy. Over the years I have seen a decline of people wearing them. I have taught my Children to wear them, from they were little. Those of us who still wear a poppy, may wear them for a variety of difference reasons. I know two reasons why I wear a poppy, well three reasons, all three reasons I will keep to myself. I have thought of a fourth reason why I wear a poppy, with pride, is to remind people to buy and wear one too.

I found two poppies, in my room at home and put one on my black coat, so it stands out and the other I pinned to my top, so when I took my coat off, at work I can remind all, who see it, to buy and wear one too.

I wanted more poppies, as they are so flimsy and easy to get lost, so yesterday I went into a large superstore where I’d seen them recently, I went to the Customer Service desk and looked where to put the money for the poppy, a Sales Assistant came over to me and asked, “How can I help?” I replied, “I’m looking where do I put the money?” She said, “Here behind the counter with me.” That was fair enough with me, for in the past, unscrupulous people have ran off with the takings, I said to her, “I don’t like these with the sticky backs, as they quickly fall off,” From the back of the small kiosk she brought to me the others, there I could see the ones I wanted the ones that use the pins and the bigger ones with wooden crosses, I suppose they go on shelves or at windows.

I said to the Sales Assistant, “I would like four poppies please with four pins,” She said, “They are £2 each,” Shocked I said, “Two pounds?” I said, “We were taught from school and I have always said, to others, you can put from 1p up to thousands in the box,” She then turned the poppy box and bent over the top part to show the hand written price of £2 for the pinned poppy, I said, to her, “I’m not paying £2 for a poppy!” She said, “I have always thought too, that it was the person’s discretion, the amount they put in the box, you put what you want to put in.” I gave her my money, and left the store a tad shaken!

Maybe, that is why only a few is wearing a poppy this year. Maybe they have had to put prices on them to make up for no one is allowed to sell them on the streets and other places. I will keep my eyes open, to see if other places are also charging the same price. Maybe that is how they have to collect the money to help those in need. Either way, wear your poppy with pride.