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Original poster

AIBU Why do English people curtsy to the royal family?

292 replies

PineapplePower · 10/08/2018 14:15

I need to stop reading the Daily Mail, but there was an article there about how “low” you should curtsy to your betters.

...there was a photo of Theresa May curtsying to Prince William, of all people. I found it absolutely repulsive.

Think what you will of her, but should she be bowing and scraping in front of a 30-something dude that hasn’t done much with his life? She’s the PM fer chrissakes!!!

OP posts:
LeftRightCentre · 10/08/2018 14:47

It's a ridiculous custom.

Charolais · 10/08/2018 14:48

The Queen has worked hard and represented the British people wonderfully for decades AND is still riding Fell ponies in her 90’s! I’d bow down to someone like that even if she wasn’t the Queen. But would I bow down to the American actress and her silly husband - hell NO.

DiegoMadonna · 10/08/2018 14:48

If we're not willingto follow the stupid traditions, why do we even have a royal family in the first place? Their entire existence is a stupid tradition! Either go the whole hog and curtsy, or do away with them altogether.

donquixotedelamancha · 10/08/2018 14:49

If we're not willingto follow the stupid traditions, why do we even have a royal family in the first place? Their entire existence is a stupid tradition! Either go the whole hog and curtsy, or do away with them altogether.

Ok. We'll do the second one please. Is that all sorted now? Is there a form or something?

CherryPlum · 10/08/2018 14:50

I think there are other 'rules' too, you're not allowed to speak to Her Maj until she speaks to you first, you must never turn your back to her (you either wait for her to walk away first, or you walk backwards)

Original poster
PineapplePower · 10/08/2018 14:50

Why English people? Surely it's at least all British people, and more likely most of the Commonwealth? Why pick a particular region of the UK

Yes, I should have said British people. I’m not from the UK, which is probably why I’m so puzzled by it.

And yeah, son of a rich family just about sums up his accomplishments. Not that Charles seems much better, though I guess he does environmental stuff? Idk

OP posts:
UtterlyDesperate · 10/08/2018 14:52

It's a tradition. I also curtsy to foreign royals. I like history and traditions.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 10/08/2018 14:54

Why do we do anything outside of nature and survival? Confused

It's tradition not the law.

HellenaHandbasket · 10/08/2018 14:55

It's ok to question tradition though.

MrsSteptoe · 10/08/2018 15:04

Gromance02

Of course I understand your question, but what I actually said was it was harsh to suggest that he is nothing but a 30-something that hasn't done much with his life, and I think it is. It's a bit binary to suggest that because he doesn't do a 40-hour week, everything he's done should be dismissed and he's pretty much a worthless idler.

thegreylady · 10/08/2018 15:06

I would curtsy to the Queen (or King if we had one) but no one else.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 10/08/2018 15:07

I believe the Queen (though not Charles) has made it known that she doesn't mind if people don't bow/curtsy, but yes it's the tradition ... and maybe folk get a bit over-awed and feel they have to do "the right thing"?

To see a really emphatic curtsy, google a clip Margaret Thatcher meeting the Queen; positively gymnastic!! Wink

MrsSteptoe · 10/08/2018 15:10

From the Jeremy Corbyn bowing saga some time ago...

AIBU Why do English people curtsy to the royal family?
DonutCone · 10/08/2018 15:11

I do not see how anyone with any s of respect could do it.

There a ton of little old ladies out there every day and we are not throwing ourselves on the floor when they walk past are we? why does deserve this obscene level of respect no one else is getting?

runningkeenster · 10/08/2018 15:13

Because in days gone by you'd have lost your head.

But I don't think that's been a risk for quite a while.

tbh I wouldn't curtsey to anyone. but then again I am highly unlikely to be invited anywhere where it might be a requirement

This!

LaurieMarlow · 10/08/2018 15:13

Just another bizarre, anachronistic tradition that goes along with the royals.

The good news is you don't have to. I wouldn't.

I don't think May should feel the need to curtesy to William. The queen I get as she's head of state. But there's something weird about our political leader curtsying to a 30 something helicopter pilot. It looks silly.

Of course it doesn't help that May is awkward as fuck.

donquixotedelamancha · 10/08/2018 15:16

I do not see how anyone with any s of respect could do it.

I think when you are in an unfamiliar social situation, meeting very wealthy, privileged people, and everyone around you does the same thing, it's very hard to stand out.

Your social conditioning screams that it would be rude and embarrassing not to bow/curtsy when in fact you are simple behaving with the normal politeness you'd show to any other person.

DiegoMadonna · 10/08/2018 15:16

Ok. We'll do the second one please. Is that all sorted now? Is there a form or something?

Kind of. I believe it's called democratic process.

missmouse101 · 10/08/2018 15:18

Yeh. Just English people. Not Welsh, Scottish or Northern Irish then? Hmm FFS.

CherryPlum · 10/08/2018 15:26

To be fair, most Welsh people wouldn't

LaurieMarlow · 10/08/2018 15:30

And 45% or so of Northern Irish definitely wouldn't Wink

BitOutOfPractice · 10/08/2018 15:33

You do know it’s not just English people don’t you? Not even just British people. What an odd thread title.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 10/08/2018 15:36

Donutcone

So if you were in Japan you wouldn't bow?

mummabearfourbabybears · 10/08/2018 15:37

Hasn't done much with his life?? Hmm

mostdays · 10/08/2018 15:41

I wouldn't. I'd actively avoid meeting any of them. If I heard one of them was visiting my workplace I'd book a day off!