To not stand for another country’s anthem

[Bodear]

At a sporting event on holiday and just that really. DP says I am but I disagree.

[Mintjulia]

Yes, it shows a lack of respect.

But you won’t be the only one.

[EmeraldShamrock]

Yabu. It is disrespectful.
There's always one on the room.

[alexdgr8]

it seems unnecessarily discourteous,
or is there a back-story as they say...

[bettythebutterfly]

I think it is very disrespectful. Having lived in different countries around the world, I think it is both the appropriate and kind thing to do.

I am currently living in the US so hear the anthem/pledge of allegiance frequently. I just stand still with my hands by my side. It's not a big deal.

[Bodear]

No back story. I wasn’t aware of the etiquette and didn’t mean offence. I wouldn’t expect someone else to stand for our anthem so didn’t think it was necessary/ the done thing to stand for someone else’s.

You learn something new everyday!

[Expressedways]

YABU and disrespectful. I was at an ice hockey game last week where a Canadian team was playing an American team and everyone in the stadium stood for both. It’s just what you do. Not to is quite attention seeking and also rather embarrassing for whoever you’re with. It’s standing for a few minutes, not running a marathon so I don’t see why you wouldn’t.
(This is presuming you are not disabled. If for example you’re in a wheelchair, on crutches or very elderly then obviously it’s different.)

[CilantroChili]

Of course YABU.
Should you feel you cannot respect a national anthem, then perhaps you should have stayed at home rather than attending the event.

[alexdgr8]

that rare thing, a MN consensus !
wow, thank you OP, look what you've brought out in us.
find it quite moving actually. really.
a sort of sense of distant companionship.
the world feels less atomised.
one feels less alienated.
which is good.

[EmeraldShamrock]

Fairplay OP. Next time on your feet.
You don't have to sing it just hum along.

[MorganKitten]

I think it is very disrespectful

[BillHadersNewWife]

It's pretty basic stuff OP. If everyone else in the room stands then you do too! Unless you're disabled of course.

[EmeraldShamrock]

OP didn't realise the etiquette. OP is in the know now.
The quickest thread ever.

[BillHadersNewWife]

And what's more...by your reckoning, I'd never stand either! I'm a Brit living in Australia permanently. I'm not Australian yet...imagine if I never stood!

[Florrieboo]

I am in Australia and the anthem is played so much. There is one parent at my kids school who never stands for it and it is noticed and people honestly seem to think less of her for it.

It's not hard to stand (unless you have a physical reason not to)

[alwayscrashinginthesamecar1]

Interesting fact, Jehovah's Witnesses wont't stand for an anthem. I saved a JW friend from getting her head kicked in once by dragging her to her feet in Ireland once.

[ObtuseTriangle]

I was at a cinema in Thailand once and surprisingly before the movie the national anthem was played and everyone stood, including us, I didn’t recognise the music but soon caught on, would have felt rude not to.

[zebra22]

YABU very disrespectful

[Amethystlila]

All this fuss over a song.

[Amethystlila]

Most of the time I don't care to stand for our national anthem.

[TheOliphantintheRoom]

Of course it's not disrespectful.
Why the need to play a jingoistic tune?
I cringe when Americans put their hand over their heart during the Star Spangled Banner.
And the British anthem is such a dreary dirge - all about the Queen not country.
Having said that, I do stand- but only for an easy life

[Bodear]

For clarity it’s not the act of standing that I was objecting to. In fact I don’t really object to any of it. It’s just that I understood standing for the anthem to show respect but also some form of allegiance. A bit like an unspoken version of the American Pledge of Allegiance so it seemed odd to do that for other countries. It wasn’t that I just couldn’t be arsed.
I realise now I’d got it wrong and will get to my feet in future. Thanks to everyone for my first consensus of iabu.

[StreetwiseHercules]

Anthems are a load of rubbish. I wouldn’t bother standing for any of them.

[Brefugee]

it's disrespectful - if you can live with it, have at it

What other people do out of custom during their own national anthem is nobody else's business. Although, of course, if it was hitler salutes I may have to rethink that.

[RealMermaid]

YANBU. I wouldn't stand for my own country's anthem let alone someone else's. The whole process just feeds unhealthy nationalistic ideology.

[Nanny0gg]

@ObtuseTriangle

The National Anthem used to be played at the end of the film in UK cinemas not so long ago. And in theatres. And when the BBC closed down for the night