AIBU Why do English people curtsy to the royal family?

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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!!!

Some years ago I heard a chap on the radio who had been involved in briefing people ready to meet the Queen and other senior royals. I remember him saying that almost everyone said to him they were not going to do x, y and z or saying they were just going to treat the royals like everyday people. e.g. they would not curtsey.

He then said 99% of them went on to do the exact thing(s) they had said they wouldn't. That in the heat of the moment their bravado left them and they conformed.

That's always stuck with me...

Theresa only does this stuff because she’s a grovelling simpering twat.

Have you never seen her creeping around Trump? The woman’s an embarrassment.

Alright then name Theresa May achievements.

Oxbridge degree
Successful career in finance
Democratically elected to parliament
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport/ Work and Pensions/Culture/Women and Equality
Shadow leader of the commons
chairperson of the Conservative party
Minister for Women and Equalities
Home Secretary
Prime Minister

I’m also assuming those who respect Theresa May because of her ‘achievements’ also afford Boris Johnson the same respect?
After all, he has achieved almost as much..

Piscis

It's not just a greeting:

www.tofugu.com/japan/bowing-in-japan/

Those of you bashing this as as antiquated tradition, are you similarly scathing of the traditions of other cultures or just your own?

I tend to be very cautious about criticising the harmless traditions of other cultures. I'm British, so I have skin in the game and an understanding of the role of tradition and class in the UK from which to reach a judgement.

I'm not sure pointing out that something being old is not a good enough reason for it to continue is bashing. Personally I have no objection to others bowing/curtsying or doing a little jig.

Would you go to Japan and refuse to bow?

Everyone bows in Japan, it's like a handshake. I doubt anyone is objecting to the act of bowing as a thing, it's the placing of one person above others by a specified form of deference, due to accident of birth.

Theresa May looked ridiculous when she curtsied to Prince William last time she was out in public

FTFY

so the very deep bow reserved for the emporer?

Didn’t the Queen used to joke about how she could actually hear Cherie Blair’s knees stiffen whenever they met?

Im also assuming those who respect Theresa May because of her ‘achievements’ also afford Boris Johnson the same respect?

I didn't say anything about respecting May. I said she'd achieved more academically and professionally than William. That's also true of Boris, yes.

I can sort of see some point in curtseying to the Queen. You're supposedly showing respect/deference to the Crown/State rather than her as a human being.

But curtseying to Harry & Meghan? Andrew? Fuck off.

If you disagree no problem. But I will leave you with this thought....weknow who our head state will be for the next three generations, over100 years at the current rate of succession.
Other countries like the USA don't and get to choose one every 4 years...look where it got them

Bit like somewhere like N Korea then, you could easily get an unstable bumbling buffoon but hey let's not let democracy stand in the way. Why on earth would we end up with someone like Trump?, but whatever at least you can vote them out. You really think we should have as head of state someone whose only qualification is to be born, and regardless of their character? Wow.

so the very deep bow reserved for the emperor?

Quite a lot depends on context:

• Why am I meeting the Emperor of Japan?
• Does anything important hinge on this meeting?
• Am I Foreign Secretary? In that case isn't the current etiquette to recite a little racist poem and claim to have invented whatever sport is popular in Japan?

TM can curtesy to whoever she likes. I just wish she’d take a lesson in how to actually do it without liking like an emphatically grateful baby giraffe.

Even regardless of the achievements of TM and William, she's his elder. I hope he had the grace to be embarrassed at the prime minister bowing to him. How utterly cringeworthy.

I curtsied when I was introduced to the Queen at a Buck House garden party and didn't find it all demeaning.

I love seeing all the republicans getting their knickers in a twist on threads like this

I met the Queen after going out for curry and a few beers the night before. When I curtsied I let out a massive shart. Managed to style it out though.

At my daughters Catholic Prep School they were taught to shake hands and curtsy when receiving prizes from the Headmistress or when meeting someone of importance. It's cute, and traditional. If we get rid of all our traditions we become grey, devoid of any heritage or difference from anyone else. I don't see what everyone is getting in such a flap about.

No one is obliged to bow or curtsey to anyone. They're not our superiors, they still go to the bog like the rest of us.

A slight bob or a nod is fine
TM looks awkward whatever she does

and no, I don't think much of her political "achievements"
her racist xenophobia and the "hostile environment" have done untold harm to the UK for years to come

A PP mentioned the "walking backwards" thing, but I thought that had been done away with too?

I always imagined they were worried about using up too much ambulance time and the priceless treasures which might go flying

I find all photographs of Teresa May repulsive

The photo is not revolting to me. He has saved many, many lives. Why shouldn't we bow or curtsy if we so wish. You're revolting. Jealously is a disgusting emotion. You should be grateful for the life you lead so random people can't critique your life and call you names.

I met princess Anne last year through work, we were told no one had to curtsey unless they especially wanted to as she was there to discuss our work and isn't bothered by tradition or ceremony. She came in spoke to us in small groups, had clearly done some research, was forthright and had opinions on the sector (quite liberal ones) and asked very pertinent questions about service delivery and challenges in our particular area. She was very well received.

He has saved many, many lives

So have lots of other helicopter pilots, military, doctors, nurses, emergency services. We don't bow to them. The only reason we do for him is because of the vagina he came from. That strikes me as a stupid reason.

Why shouldn't we bow or curtsy if we so wish.

You do what you like. I'm certainly not stopping you.

When I met Charles Windsor, who was on ribbon-cutting duty officially opening our new factory, it never occurred to me to bow or curtsey to him. I just shook his hand in the same way I would anyone else’s.