I don't have a problem curtseying to royalty and I dont see it as anything more then a token of respect mixed with tradition and I am quite sure the royals practise it alot more through their lives then I ever will. If they can do it, I can do it.
Yeah, I would like to know that, too...Empress said:Just a question. As Prince Philip is not a monarch, but the spouse/consort of a monarch, should he bow to Kings and Queens (although, obviously not to his wife.)?
Just a question. As Prince Philip is not a monarch, but the spouse/consort of a monarch, should he bow to Kings and Queens (although, obviously not to his wife.)?
politikgirl said:...and next to Audrey Hepburn but she was a British citizen, I believe, who was born in Belgium).
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LauraMCS said:I am an American and wouldn't curtsey to a royal if my life depended on it. If I'm not going to curtsey to a President then I won't curtsey to a Monarch. I would shake hands politely and refer to them as Sir or Ma'am and leave it at that.
BurberryBrit said:^ Yes, where are the women like Jackie? And Audrey for that matter? They don't make women like that anymore. Class acts all the way.
Sister Morphine said:The difference is, you don't curtsey to Presidents. Presidents and Monarchs are not the same. Have you ever seen anyone curtsey to a US President? No you have not. However, you show them respect for their position by saying "Sir" or "Mr. President". You just don't grab their hand and say "Hey George, what up?".
The same can be said about greeting a King/Queen. You don't have to do a full curtsey and touch the floor, but a slight bob and a "Sir" or "Ma'am" wouldn't be disgraceful.
LauraMCS said:Presidents and Monarchs are the same as they are all Heads of State. If I don't curtsey to my own Head of State then I'm not going to curtsey to another.
LauraMCS said:I am an American and wouldn't curtsey to a royal if my life depended on it. If I'm not going to curtsey to a President then I won't curtsey to a Monarch. I would shake hands politely and refer to them as Sir or Ma'am and leave it at that.
I wouldn't dream of curtseying to the children or grandchildren of a monarch or calling them Sir or Ma'am. A handshake is sufficient for them and greeting them by first name is perfectly fine.
Empress said:Well, when in Rome, as they say. And if the good people of their own country see fit to curtsey/bow then I say that visitors/others should show the same respect. In any case, I think that one should follow the custom when regarding heads of state, or monarch/relations of said people, or at least follow what tradition, and their culture dictate.
If nothing else, show respect for what they have obviously acheived in life. And if the custom of their country is to show that same respect to the relations of that person then I think others should as well.
For goodness sake, even Jacqueline Kennedy and JFK bowed to Her Majesty, as well as to her children. IF they can do that, I imagine that the rest of us should have no problem doing so.
And I certainly do not call anyone whom I first meet by their first name, and I would imagine that should you meet the presidents daughter you out to address her an Ms Bush. Just as you should address anyone by their last name when you first meet them, until you are given their permission to address them by their first name. (Unless of course they introduce themselves to you by their first name.)
But again, I suppose it is all about respecting another persons culture and position, and some people might not feel inclined to do that. I would though.
Vanesa said:Other little thing we must remember is, that if you are visiting another country, you must accept the courtesy rules of this country and acts like the natives does. A forever rule in good social behavior is not to make one self so remarkable that everyone would turn their heads to watch how weird we are.
Vanesa.
BeatrixFan said:You mention you'd curtsey to the Pope. Well, we curtsey to our Royals for the same reason you'd curtsey to the Pope.
Roxsteve said:Why would you curtsey to someone who was a tv anchor and now by marriage only is a princess? Same with MM? She used to wait tables and now I have to curtsey? Nothing against them, but why should anyone have to do that? I would only do it to the Pope, but if I am not from a country where they have Kings or Queens, why should I curtsey? It's ridiculous--I bet the royals feel odd about doing that, especially those who became princesses by marriage...please this is 2006, not 1806...Only an opinion...