If you met the Queen, would you curtsey (or bow if you are a man)?

[BakeliteBelle]

Because I would like to think - like Cherie Blaire - I wouldn't.

Princess Anne was respectful enough to observe two minutes silence for my dad at an event after his death, so I would show her mum the appropriate courtesy in return.

No, never. I will never bow/curtsey to ANYONE. If I was in the vacinity of any of the 'Royal' Family I think I would scarper

I have and I didn't - I was a rebellious teenager though!
I'm not sure if I would now - probably but only cos I don't have the energy to take a stand anymore!

Oldraver - just asking - would you bow/curtsey to acknowledge the audience if you were an actor?

My gran met Prince Charles and said 'pleased to meet you'. I could have shot her, I had just read Class by Jilly Cooper.

I don't think I would curtsey, would probably just shake her hand. It doesn't really matter any more, does it, do you think she really cares? I doubt it. Didn't the Australian PM's wife shake her hand and not curtsey years ago, and it was fine? I thought curtseying wasn't etiquette anymore anyway

There is lots of etiquette to meeting the Queen. You are only expected to curtsey if you are introduced individually to the Queen by name. If you are part of a group you don't have to.

If you don't want to curtsey or follow any of the other rules then the Queen's Equiry (?not sure of word - assistant?) just won't introduce you, so its not a big deal.

No I wouldn't curtsey. It looks silly and I can't see how it shows any particular respect above a normal acknowledgement of the person/shaking their hand/how do you do or what have you.

I can't imagine the queen would give a fig. It's the people surrounding the royal family that seem to bang on about "protocol" and all this tortuous respect stuff. It's an industry that keeps a handful of people in a job I suppose.

I wouldn't put myself willingly in the position of meeting a member of the royal family for the sake of it though and I think it's only in those sorts of line ups that you have to do the curtsey thing anyway.

Nope! I'm Irish so I wouldnt bow/curtsey to anyone!

(that's a lie, in Thailand I was Shawoddywoddy Kah-ing everyone!)

No chance. I wouldn't expect her to courtsey me so why would she expect me to courtsey her? How odd.

You see thats the bit that would bother me. Some sycophant telling me how I was supposed to act in the presence of the 'Royals'

Many years ago the Queen visited the base I was working on post Gulf War, I think to give medals. The fuss and plaver that went on was incredible including a full on dress rehearsal the previous week with some lady in wating or somesuch taking the Queenie part. They did the whole route and dinner etc in the officers mess as a practise . The bods on camp thought it would be a good idea to 'hoover' up all the leaves the whole camp was sweeping up leaves which was funny to watch especially as they had been swept into a big pile then a helicpoter came in

I think this was the time I waved my 'Down with the Monarchy' flag at Queenie... she certainly didnt smile at me. I have never seen the police special men is very nice suits jump out their cars and have a chat

I think everyone should hug her, Michelle Obama-style.

so quickly

No I wouldn't curtsey - dicky knees more than republican sympathies.
I might have to squat though - she is a tiny wee thing and I am a moose.

I would bow my head to the queen - because i respect her and think she's been a good monarch - the rest can fuck off

oldraver same deal on our base when Anne came to stay. I didn't curtsey because it would have felt hugely unnatural (I was also pissed off at myself for having given in to a three line whip to attend. I'd had a baby a week before and was told he couldn't come nor could I go home to feed him (can't express)). Stupid buggers, wouldn't dream of capitulating now.

No, I'd tug my forelock instead.

I wouldn't curtsey, to the queen or anyone else. This is an archaic custom, IMO. Simple good manners are sufficient, the same with any other individual.
I would probably refuse any honours so that situation wouldn't arise.

fatlazymummy?Quite right too.I think its all archaic tbh,my dd8 put it into words whilst the wedding was on last week."kings and queens and palaces?do they really exist?"

DH Doesnt want to meet the queen

My grandad always said:"Bow your knee to no man but shake the hand of any."I believe in that absolutely; but the Queen.........yes I'd curtsey though not to any of her family.

I wouldn't.
Follow ROG's lead
www.irishtimes.com/blogs/politics/files/2009/05/queen.jpg

I would actually, yes.

I wouldn't.

I would because she is Head of State.

I wouldn't and haven't to Prince Charles or Prince William. I would if/when they are King.

I would, if advised it was appropriate. Not as a sign of reverence, just to be polite to someone within their personal/cultural expectation of good manners.