National Anthem etiquette

[McClef]

Interesting that when I was on a choir tour of Canada in 2005 all the audience stood to sing "O Canada!"

Yet in France we sang "La Marseillaise", the audience stood but did not sing themselves.

[Dixiecat]

Interesting that when I was on a choir tour of Canada in 2005 all the audience stood to sing "O Canada!"

Indeed, Canadians generally do so when our national anthem is played. Funny story...I was at a highland dance competition in Antigonish when the heavy games started up next to the dance stage. There was a speaker mixup and their opening ceremonies were being piped through the dance comp's speakers. When O Canada started playing, right in the middle of a Seann Truibhas every dance spectator stood up. The dancers kept dancing trying to keep time with the piper while their audience and judges were standing and singing O Canada!

[ThistleDown]

Dixiecat that is a wonderful story! Thanks big bunches

[Downunder Kilt]

Indeed, Canadians generally do so when our national anthem is played. Funny story...I was at a highland dance competition in Antigonish when the heavy games started up next to the dance stage. There was a speaker mixup and their opening ceremonies were being piped through the dance comp's speakers. When O Canada started playing, right in the middle of a Seann Truibhas every dance spectator stood up. The dancers kept dancing trying to keep time with the piper while their audience and judges were standing and singing O Canada!

Hope all the dancers at that particular time received a medal for their efforts. They certainly deserve one.

[thescot]

I can only speak for myself.

When "The Star Spangled Banner" is played, I am always at attention, head cover removed, and facing the flag. I place my hand/hat over my heart. And I am likely to shed a tear or three. (The Corps training runs deep.)

It annoys me when others do not do so. I show a similar respect to "O Canada" (or other national anthems)
at the games sans hand over heart.

Saluting a passing flag by veterans is a fairly new practice, and I am a little uncomfortable saluting uncovered. (The Naval services do not salute when not wearing a hat, such as indoors unless under arms.) I am trying to get over it as I do love to salute the passing colors. In the US tradition, the US flag is never dipped for any reason. All other flags and banners are, but not the US flag, the stars and stripes.

[O'Callaghan]

I can only speak for myself.

When "The Star Spangled Banner" is played, I am always at attention, head cover removed, and facing the flag. I place my hand/hat over my heart. And I am likely to shed a tear or three. (The Corps training runs deep.)

It annoys me when others do not do so. I show a similar respect to "O Canada" (or other national anthems)
at the games sans hand over heart.

Saluting a passing flag by veterans is a fairly new practice, and I am a little uncomfortable saluting uncovered. (The Naval services do not salute when not wearing a hat, such as indoors unless under arms.) I am trying to get over it as I do love to salute the passing colors. In the US tradition, the US flag is never dipped for any reason. All other flags and banners are, but not the US flag, the stars and stripes.

Maybe those who don't place their hand over their heart are not US citizens. I'm not and I don't, even though I've lived in the US for many years. According to this thread that is correct, but I wouldn't anyway because it isn't something we do even for our own anthem. I stand for all national anthems, of course.

[EagleJCS]

Maybe those who don't place their hand over their heart are not US citizens. I'm not and I don't, even though I've lived in the US for many years. According to this thread that is correct, but I wouldn't anyway because it isn't something we do even for our own anthem. I stand for all national anthems, of course.

I can't speak for Jim, but what I find annoying is people who don't stand for any national anthem - much less their own, esp. if they're U.S. citizens at a U.S.-based event (sports or something else) - but do one or more of the following: 1) continue to sit and chatter/yell at their neighbor(s); 2) attempt to walk in front/behind/around me while I'm paying respects; or 3) remain hunched over their phone/beverage/meal all while the national anthem is being performed (either played/sung).

But, they'll join in the yelling/cheering that starts up in the last couple of bars of the tune. (That's another thing that I find mildly irritating. Yet another instance of 'groupthink' or Pavlovian conditioning. It even occurs when the audience is asked to remain silent at the end of the anthem.)

[English Bloke]

If I'm in an international group hug, I stand to attention for all anthems. If it's mine being played, I even stand in my own front room. It's engrained in the fibre of my being. I don't do hand on heart, it's not the British way, although I do admire it and a piece of me wishes we did...

I do love my National Anthem and it stirs my heart and reflects to me at least the pride I have in being British (first and foremost) but I must admit, I have never heard, in my 50+ years, the obnoxious, anti jacobite verse six sung, much less the British National Anthem played (or sung) six times.

But there seems to be an expedient to use this ancient and archaic verse in modern propaganda to bolster anti English sentiment. I'm OK with that, in fact it makes me smile. It's a time of change and any ammunition, no matter how old, is good ammunition.

I personally agree with the Scots and believe the British National Anthem, much as I love it, is now past it's usefulness. It doesn't command the same respect it once did. The other countries of the Union have their own anthems now and seem to take particular pride in their dis-association with God save the Queen. I'm inclined to think the English should go the same way as we no longer seem to be unified as a single Nation comprised of four, so perhaps it IS time we moved on.

I'll now happily sing "Flower of Scotland" and "Land of My Fathers" with the best of 'em. I didn't at one time, as McClef can testify, but I do now. Maybe that adds to our unity... and it would be bad etiquette to do otherwise.