Poppy on the Left?

[agoodwinsmith]

So.  I always wear a poppy, even though my grandfather (veteran of WWI - at Vimy Ridge, no less) never wore them.

I have just heard that I should be wearing the poppy on my left side, so that it is over my heart.  Is this new, or had I just missed the memo all these years?

Comments

[randombler.livejournal.com]

People love making up rules. Many of them are made out of nothing other than their own feelings of what is right. I have never heard of this one. As long as you wear it in a way that is, in your opinion, respectful, I don't think it matters where you wear it. Buttonholes on men's clothes are traditionally on the left (as are most decorations) but that is custom not law, IMO.

[ciciaye.livejournal.com]

There's no 'should' with poppies, surely? I've never heard of this rule either

[jsburbidge.livejournal.com]

I wear anything like taht -- lapel pins, buttonhole flowers, etc. on the left; so I automatically wear the poppy there too.

I think the "over the heart" bit is a recently made-up explanation which has its real roots in the older design of men's jackets.

[jessie-c.livejournal.com]

We military people used to wear them to the left of our cap badges and more recently on the left lapel of our uniform tunics (or greatcoats). But as you know, the military is all about everyone wearing the same thing the same way BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY THE SERGEANT SAID TO WEAR IT, THAT'S WHY!