Would YOU stand for the National Anthem?

[MrGongGong]

I'd stand for this

But not the other nonsense

[Serial_Apologist]

Of course I would stand for the NA ... why would any decent, tolerant individual who respects democracy do otherwise?

I hadn't realised that the queen, whom the national anthem celebrates, had anything to do with democracy!

[Beef Oven!]

From the E.I.U. Democracy Index, of the 5 top democracies on the planet, 4 of them are monarchies!

So if you want democracy, get a monarchy installed in your country and stand up and sing the national anthem to him/her.

The Queen needs to up her game though, the UK is number 16. But at least we are more democratic than France, Italy, USA, Belgium, Japan, Greece, Brazil, Poland, Slovakia et al, et al, et al!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index

[Dave2002]

From the E.I.U. Democracy Index, of the 5 top democracies on the planet, 4 of them are monarchies!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index

Very interesting. I had to check that Iceland has no king or queen - I mistakenly thought it was still linked to Denmark, albeit loosely.

Very interesting link that E.I.U one.

[Alain Maréchal]

Yes I would stand for any National Anthem, as a matter of respect. However re #123:
Q. What is Democracy? (Restrict your answer to no more than one hundred and twenty sheets of A4, single spaced).

[MrGongGong]

Yes I would stand for any National Anthem, as a matter of respect.

That's the problem isn't it?
Our so called leaders would have no problem standing up for this

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yes I would stand for any National Anthem, as a matter of respect.

Q - What do we mean by "respect" in this context? (Restrict your answer to no fewer than 120 sheets of A4, single spaced.)

[Alain Maréchal]

That's the problem isn't it?
Our so called leaders would have no problem standing up for this

That is not a National Anthem, surely, but a Factional one.

[Alain Maréchal]

Q - What do we mean by "respect" in this context? (Restrict your answer to no fewer than 120 sheets of A4, single spaced.)

By respect I mean politeness. Possibly I am too naif to distinguish. (I have always regretted that because I lacked politeness at the appropriate moments, I refused to shake the hands of a convicted brutal murderer, and also the unelected dictator of a "democratic" republic.)

[french frank]

Q - What do we mean by "respect" in this context? (Restrict your answer to no fewer than 120 sheets of A4, single spaced.)

A bit like AM here: 'respect' would mean being genuinely respectful of the customs and practice of the people surrounding me at that moment (I wouldn't bother if I were at home listening on the wireless).

I would also take the recognition of another country's national anthem as being respectful towards their country, not any individual (if I weren't respectful of the country I either would avoid being in such a position where I was expected to stand for their national anthem, or I would be present as an undercover agent and would stand so that I didn't draw attention to myself).

If some people want to make a point by remaining seated, that's their (unroyal) prerogative. But my guess is that there would be a variety of reasons and quite heterogeneous group.

[Dave2002]

Surely the point is that in a "democratic" country with liberal values it would still be OK not to stand, even if others wanted to "respect" the country and/or its leaders. There are some countries which IMO are not democratic where I think it might be unwise not to stand or "respect" the country and/or its leaders.

As I and others around me get older, we are less mobile, so an easy excuse may be to plead infirmity, and brandish a walking stick or zimmer frame- though I don't need either normally - yet!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I can appreciate "politeness": if I were ever in the position of being rescued from a car breakdown on a Christmas day by a family who took me into their home, fed and sheltered me, and they wanted to watch the Queen's Speech and they all stood for the National Anthem, I would join them in gratitude and appreciation of their hospitality. But I don't think that this is the same thing as the "respect" that seems to be demanded/expected of me on public occasions - for the reasons I gave in #31, I have no real respect for the sentiments of a National Anthem. I would not dream of attempting to force others to remain seated, and, as one of the "people surrounding" frenchie I demand/expect the same courtesy/politeness/respect paid to my custom and practice that I pay to theirs.

And, of course, people do afford me this - I have never received criticism for remaining seated.

[P. G. Tipps]

I hadn't realised that the queen, whom the national anthem celebrates, had anything to do with democracy!

All recent UK public opinion polls have consistently shown not just a large majority but an overwhelming one (around 80%) in favour of retaining the monarchy.

That is why you never hear British republicans demanding a referendum on the issue. They may be wrong-headed but they are not particularly thick-headed as well...

[MrGongGong]

All recent UK public opinion polls have consistently shown not just a large majority but an overwhelming one (around 80%) in favour of retaining the monarchy.

That is why you never hear British republicans demanding a referendum on the issue. They may be wrong-headed but they are not particularly thick-headed as well...

And we all know how accurate "opinion polls" are don't we?
erm

Depends on what question you ask

[ahinton]

I can appreciate "politeness": if I were ever in the position of being rescued from a car breakdown on a Christmas day by a family who took me into their home, fed and sheltered me, and they wanted to watch the Queen's Speech and they all stood for the National Anthem, I would join them in gratitude and appreciation of their hospitality. But I don't think that this is the same thing as the "respect" that seems to be demanded/expected of me on public occasions - for the reasons I gave in #31, I have no real respect for the sentiments of a National Anthem. I would not dream of attempting to force others to remain seated, and, as one of the "people surrounding" frenchie I demand/expect the same courtesy/politeness/respect paid to my custom and practice that I pay to theirs.

And, of course, people do afford me this - I have never received criticism for remaining seated.

Very well said, sir!