Children shouldn't be taught to curtsey for the queen at school

[Lemith]

Thankfully not mine, but my sisters DD is preparing for a visit from Liz and they have all been told to curtsey / bow before her.

I've nothing against the monarchy particularly, but I dont like all this wankery and would treat them just like any other stranger.

Liz once or twice a year gets in my way when she's had a road closed and caused massive inconvince to us commoners.

Aibu to think this should be the child's choice how they greet royals?

[PurpleDaisies]

we have a Queen to whom it is common good manners to curtsey.

For about the tenth time, it is not expected that people will curtsey for the queen. There are links further up the thread.

[sleepyhead]

I wouldn't personally curtsey or bow to the Queen, but to save her discombobulations I have thoughtfully spent the last 43 years avoiding her (quite easy).

You're welcome Ma'am.

[MrsRossPoldark]

...olders...

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

She would not BE discombobulated, sleepyhead - if you would not be happy to curtsey/bow, she wouldn't want you to. See the links up thread.

[Merguez]

If you were having a business meeting with a Japanese person in Japan, would you follow custom and bow to them?

If you are visiting a mosque, would you follow custom and cover your head and remove your shoes?

Would you turn up at a wedding in jeans and a T-shirt?

[MrsRossPoldark]

Purpledaisies: same principle applies. It's not expected that I give up my seat, it is common manners to do so. QED

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I used to have a book called "You look just like the Queen" - one of the anecdotes in it told of someone meeting an elderly lady in a shop, and saying "Oooh - you look just like the Queen" - and the elderly lady, who was the Queen, smiled and said "how reassuring!"

[sleepyhead]

So why is everyone wittering on about the Emperor of Japan then?

I think I'll continue to avoid heads of state just to be on the safe side.

[PurpleDaisies]

When I have seen people meeting the queen on TV I cannot recall ever seeing them curtsey or bow. It is good manners to be polite to the queen. This does not need to extend to bowing or curtsying.

[PurpleDaisies]

Just because you put QED after something it does not mean it is true. Hope that helps.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Everything I say is true, PurpleDaisies - QED!!

[Merguez]

Only the plebs are expected to bow to Queenie.

Er, no, they aren't expected to do that.

Haven't you read the thread?

In fact for traditions such as knighthoods if people do not want to go down on one knee to the Queen during the ceremony they don't need to.

[Merguez]

Why would you have respect for a Japanese business person you had never met before? They could be a serial killer for all you know. usual

[PiperChapstick]

Yawn at the "would you not take your shoes off in a Muslims house" and "wouldn't you bow to a Japanese visitor" - those things are not comparable as they do not hold the sentiment of you being subservient and admitting you're a lower person than someone who is actually your equal. And it's reciprocated. The queen curtseys for no one

[Topseyt]

I I am neither pro nor anti-monarchy. I like and admire the current Queen though and think she has done a good job.

There is no requirement or obligation or requirement to curtsey, just that traditionally many people have tended to do it. It is the sort of thing that is now being questioned.

Personally, I would feel mighty silly trying to curtsey so I wouldn't do it. It just isn't me at all. I'd be more likely to give a handshake or something.

OP, perhaps you could suggest to your niece that she could high-five the Queen. Sorted!

[SenecaFalls]

The queen curtseys for no one

She curtsied at her coronation ceremony.

[PrincessFiorimonde]

I find it utterly bizarre that anyone would compare (on the one hand) giving up your seat on a bus to anyone who needs it/holding a door open for another person to (on the other hand) curtseying to the queen.

Clue: the first type of behaviour = politeness, good manners, being nice to other people, helping the world go round in a friendly fashion, perhaps even hoping if you do someone a good turn one day you may find someone does you a good turn another day.

While the second = bonkers.

[SmugairleRoin]

I wouldn't curtsey to the Queen, but then I suppose the both of us will spend our lives without meeting, and not be too traumatised.

If op doesn't want her daughter curtseying, let the school know.

[SmugairleRoin]

Niece, not daughter

[PiperChapstick]

I have to say the Daily Mail-esque outcries of "if you don't like it leave the country"has to be one of the biggest over-reactions on MN to date!