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?

[CorbynsTopButton]

YAsoNBU.

A nice polite "good morning Mrs W" as any visitor would get would suffice.

[AnneSansTete]

Liz visited my primary school when I was a gal. We were all briefed on how to curtsey and were super excited. We weren't warned, however, that it wasn't a disney queen turning up in a horse and carriage with a big dress and a crown but just a little old lady in a car. As a result the playground was full of crying little girls which must've been nice for the queen. I think we were probably all too upset to remember to curtsey.

She could've at least worn a crown ffs.

[Owllady]

I'm uncomfortable with it as well

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

For someone who doesn't really have anything against the monarchy you are pretty het up

[OurBlanche]

And arsicles, you better had teach your kids to be accepting of their current place in some instances, they won't survive their teens or many jobs if they don't!

T'aint about being servile. It is about acknowledging the fact that many of or social constructs have stratified levels of importance. If you wish to rise in such arenas you must know the rules, the strategies by which you will be advanced. Being polite to bosses and customers is usually a good start, even if you think they are twats!

Forgetting about the monarchy, would you say the same to kids about work bosses, during working time?

[iamaboveandBeyond]

Oh balls, i wrote curtesy!

What happens when someone meets the queen who is unable to curtsy?

I would tell dn the special vag cmment. Children have a tendency to repeat things like that at inappropriate moments, dont they

[mrstweefromtweesville]

Children shouldn't be taught to curtsey for the queen at school
Of course they should. I was. I've never had to use it but I know how its done!
I think adults should practise in the workplace. Every morning teams should gather in front of a picture of Her Majesty and the men should bow, women should curtsey.
She's 89, you know. People should show some respect.

[BarbarianMum]

Pranmasghost I was born here, and as the UK is a democracy as well as a monarchy I can choose which of its customs I adopt, provided I stay within the law.

Curtsying to the Queen is not currently a legal requirement, nor is agreeing with the principle of monarchy. You'll notice that Quakers are no longer imprisoned here for refusing to doff their hats.

[SirChenjin]

You've chosen to live in this country, therefore you have implicitly agreed to abide by its laws, customs and etiquette

Not really. We (as adults) choose to live here. It's up to the individual if they decide to follow the above. There are obviously consequences to not following them, but again it's an individual choice whether or not you want to accept those consequences.

[CorbynsTopButton]

I'm very much with you, Arsicles. Really quite surprised by this thread...

[ilovesooty]

It's up to your sister to decide how to handle the situation and none of your business.

You could of course turn up and try telling her how your driving access is caused inconvenience when she visits.

[SoupDragon]

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

How many other things do you think should be the child's choice? I assume you let your children do whatever they damn well like at all times.

[Arsicles]

OurBlanche I promise I'll remember to curtsy to my manager when I get to work. Just trying to figure out how to tug my forelock at the same time........

[Sallyingforth]

Gosh. Some people seem to work hard for something to moan about.
Calm down dear!

[Lemith]

Exactly Arsicles, it isn't about one child being taught this but the whole of the next generation being taught to carry on with these outdated customs.

[NiNoKuni]

What happens if you don't curtsy? Do MI5 have a stern word or what?

I'm in the 'alright Liz?' crowd, personally.

[SirChenjin]

I think it's pretty reasonable to question the whole outdated notion of the monarchy and the 'etiquette' which requires one person to curtsy to another with apparently no choice in the matter. A perfectly sensible thing to be concerned about in my book.

[CorbynsTopButton]

I don't hear any uncalmness, Sally. It's quite an interesting question.

[ilovesooty]

Absolutely Sallyingforth

I couldn't agree more.

[iamaboveandBeyond]

Also, how far down the royal line does the requirement to curtsy go?

[CorbynsTopButton]

Soup, it's perfectly possible to insist on politeness/kindness etc from children without dictating that they curtsey to the special-borns.

[catfordbetty]

If you wish to rise in such arenas you must know the rules

What are the rules to follow if you want to become the Queen of England?

[BeStrongAndCourageous]

I agree with you OP. There'd be no way I'd allow my DD to be taught to curtsey to the queen or anyone else. I would expect her to show the same respect she shows to all adults - which does not include curtseying to them, ffs!

The whole concept of the monarchy is ludicrous anyway.

[MrsGentlyBenevolent]

'You chose to live here, if you don't like curtsying to some privileged old woman, leave the country'.

Seriously? First of all, most people were born here, so it's not a 'choice' where we live. Wouldn't it be lovely to be able just to live where we pleased? Even if we could, most of us aren't given money and private planes just to hop off to another country (or expect people to bow down to us, just for doing so). There are many other ways to show acceptable manners, only for the royals do we literally have to 'bend over' in appreciation for their.... royalness(?), it's really a load of nonsense.

[ilovesooty]

It's her niece though. Not up to her to deal with it.