To not stand for another country’s anthem

[Bodear]

At a sporting event on holiday and just that really. DP says I am but I disagree.

No problem with standing. Americans place their hand on their hearts. The rest of us do not need to do this. Irish sports teams face their flag, which can be awkward in some stadiums. You do not have to do this.

My one execption would be those countries who insist that all seventeen verses must be played.

Oh, and NZ, stick your Haka up your arses.

It's a very basic sign of respect, why do you have a problem with that? If you're happy to visit their country for your own enjoyment, I think not being disrespectful is the least you could do. You're not declaring your love and support to the country, just basic respect.

When I lived in the USA I had season tickets to the NFL and when the national anthem was played I would just stand quietly, I didn't sing or place my hand on my heart however. There are many, many issues on which I am very critical of the American government but refusing to be minimally respectful to their customs would have been arrogant beyond belief.

You can be pompously righteous about not respecting their anthem for whatever principle you're basing this stance upon but you'll just look petty.

I dozed off in the cinema at the Downton Abbey film, woke to the sound of the National Anthem, was nearly up on my feet before I realised where I was.

And now I’m wondering, was that film shown in Thailand and did the Thai audiences all leap to their feet for that bit of the film?

Oh, and NZ, stick your Haka up your arses.

LOL. Yeah. Nah.

I wouldn’t stand either but I have to.

No need for me to say anything really. But yes, you're not swearing allegiance to another country, you're just showing respect.

I like the Thai thing. There was a park near where I was staying where outdoor group exercise took place every evening for all ages. Everyone would gather, the anthem would be played, and then the exercising would start.
It was excruciating (but understandable, if one didn't know that the music playingwas the anthem) when fellow tourists walked by, oblivious to everyone else standing still respectfully. The locals were clearly offended.

YABU

@Rainbunny did you read my posts? I don’t have a problem with showing basic respect. I’ve admitted I didn’t understand the etiquette and that I will act differently in future.

I don’t think I’ve been “pompously righteous” about disrespecting anything?

Bodear - I posted before some of your updates showed and I apologise for being harsh on you!

My response was also based upon a few other posts upstream that were along the lines of equating being patriotic with being nationalistic which I disagree with.

@Bodear, I thought the same as you, that we were only supposed to stand for our own country's anthem. So glad to have learned differently.

I had absolutely no idea this was a thing.
Now educated