# Would you rise for any of these national anthems? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 16, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262 "2008-08-16T21:16:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/21 "2008-08-18T02:46:43Z")
I stand when it’s expected to stand, which would include when the rest of the crowd stands, because frankly I think it makes you a bit of a dick to sit there while everyone else stands. IOW, I don’t think standing makes much of a statement, but I think remaining seated makes a huge statement, and basically I’m not really much for making statements through conduct. Frankly, if I feel so strongly about a country or a ritual that I cannot even muster that minimal level of respect, I’m almost certainly not going to the event at all. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/22 "2008-08-18T03:18:25Z")
[QUOTE=dalej42] Is that not done in Canada? [/QUOTE] I have never seen it done and was never taught to do it in school. although we stood and sang “O Canada” every day. IMHO, if you aren’t wearing a uniform, you don’t salute. (And that’s what I was taught in the Armed Forces, actually.) I think **Jodi** has made an excellent point, too; sitting when everyone else is standing is a much louder statement. I’m not much given to ostentatious displays of patriotism, to be honest, but sitting through an anthem doesn’t send me the message that you aren’t into ostentatious displays; it strikes me as being deliberately insulting. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/23 "2008-08-18T04:18:36Z")
[QUOTE=dalej42] Would you rise for the national anthems of these countries? 1. United States 2. Canada 3. Great Britain 4. Australia [/QUOTE] I’d rise for most foreign national anthems, if etiquette deemed that proper. Even if it were a country I’m hostile to, ideologically. I mean, how hard is it to stand silently for a minute or so while another country’s anthem is played? As long as I’m not required to bow or salute, I don’t see the harm in showing simple, silent respect. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/24 "2008-08-18T04:26:00Z")
I’d stand for none of them. I’m not a fan of respect for symbols, or through symbols. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/25 "2008-08-18T14:10:50Z")
[QUOTE=JRDelirious] Sure. Being a citizen of only one of those states, I would effect a salute (hand over heart or whatever) only to that one anthem (as I understand it, it is only the country’s own nationals who should salute its anthem/colors), but I would uncover and stand respectfully if I’m part of the audience at the ceremony where any of the other three is played; none of them is at war with me (so far…). Heck, I’d stand for the North Korean or Myanmarese anthem, if it’s played for instance at a sports match. [/QUOTE] No. You should stand and salute (hand over heart or whatever) during the national anthem of any friendly country. Which is to say, it is the proper and customary thing to do. If you feel like not doing either, that’s your right I suppose. A soldier of the United States must stand at attention a render a salute during the playing of any friendly nation’s national anthem. FYI and all… ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/26 "2008-08-18T15:10:47Z")
Stand up. And once upon a time, I used to know the lyrics to “O Canada” in both English and French. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/27 "2008-08-18T15:53:21Z")
[QUOTE=Jodi] IOW, I don’t think standing makes much of a statement, but I think remaining seated makes a huge statement, and basically I’m not really much for making statements through conduct. [/QUOTE] For me anyway, it’s not a statement to remain seated, other than I don’t find it necessary to stand for a national anthem. Whatever interpretation that others around me choose to place on my action or inaction is their responsibility, not mine. Of course I understand what the likely interpretation is going to be, but so long as those making it to not become verbally or physically abusive toward me as a result, I don’t care. > [@Jodi](#): > > Frankly, if I feel so strongly about a country or a ritual that I cannot even muster that minimal level of respect, I’m almost certainly not going to the event at all. So if there’s a community forum about an issue about which I feel strongly, I should refrain from participating because I know that the PoA is going to be recited? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/28 "2008-08-18T16:21:23Z")
Stand, hat off, for any anthem. No hand over heart nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/29 "2008-08-18T16:21:55Z")
You made it easy with these four. I would stand for all four without question. I think I would even stand for a country like Syria or Iran or even North Korea. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/30 "2008-08-18T16:35:28Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] You made it easy with these four. I would stand for all four without question. I think I would even stand for a country like Syria or Iran or even North Korea. [/QUOTE] Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/31 "2008-08-18T19:52:23Z")
I’ll stand and remove my hat for any national anthem. It’s just a matter of common courtesy. And if I disagree with the current political ideologies of that country, I’ll do it anyway. Living in the U.S. has shown me that the average citizen often disagrees strongly with the country’s leadership, and it’s those average citizens I’m showing respect for, not the politicians. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/32 "2008-08-18T20:13:38Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] You made it easy with these four. I would stand for all four without question. I think I would even stand for a country like Syria or Iran or even North Korea. [/QUOTE] Likewise. I always - always! - give the proper salute for _The Star-Spangled Banner_: right hand over my heart if hatless; hat over my heart if I’m wearing one; and the two- or three-fingered Scout salute on those occasions when I’ve heard the National Anthem performed while I was in uniform. Rest assured our three sons have been taught the same. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/33 "2008-08-18T21:41:13Z")
[QUOTE=Lobsang] …(It happens to be the most depressing national Anthem I’ve ever heard - God Save the Queen) [/QUOTE] Are you kidding me? That tune rocks! “God save the queen! We mean it man! We love our queen…” 😃 **Bear\_Nenno** , good info. I’d genuflect appropriately for my own and would stand for any of them, even if one of the represented nations were hostile to my own. Mutual respect starts out unilaterally, I’ll go first any day. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/34 "2008-08-19T00:20:07Z")
I have and I would again. 'Nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/35 "2008-08-19T15:43:25Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] I agree. [/QUOTE] I’ve stood up for the Republic of Irelands anthem and I’m a Brit. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/36 "2008-08-19T18:39:46Z")
[QUOTE=Inigo Montoya] Are you kidding me? That tune rocks! “God save the queen! We mean it man! We love our queen…” 😃 **Bear\_Nenno** , good info. I’d genuflect appropriately for my own and would stand for any of them, even if one of the represented nations were hostile to my own. Mutual respect starts out unilaterally, I’ll go first any day. [/QUOTE] I’d stand for that anthem too. I would not want to show disrespect for any country so badass that their national anthem is the Sex Pistols. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/37 "2008-08-19T20:56:32Z")
[QUOTE=dalej42] Would you rise for the national anthems of these countries? 1. United States 2. Canada 3. Great Britain 4. Australia If you would not, why not? I would rise for any of the 4 if I was in that country or if the anthem was being performed elsewhere. [/QUOTE] I’m curious: why this specific selection of countries/anthems? Why not ask ‘would you rise for an anthem of a country other than your own?’ To answer _that_ question, I’m all like ‘when in Rome, etc.’. Most of the things mentioned in this thread are meaningless symbols to me so I don’t mind participating in them if I can avoid annoying or upsetting people by doing so. And I guess that even if these symbols weren’t meaningless to me but, in fact, somehow awkward or even offensive in my own culture, they’d still only be symbols. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/38 "2008-08-19T21:03:03Z")
I can’t think of any situation other than a sporting event where I would have to stand for any of these anthems. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/39 "2008-08-19T21:06:56Z")
I’d raise for the hymn of any country, except if it’s something like on TV _when and where I wouldn’t be expected to stand for mine._ If it’s a situation where I’d stand for my hymn, I’ll stand for those of others. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262/40 "2008-08-19T21:51:39Z")
[QUOTE=Bear\_Nenno] No. You should stand and salute (hand over heart or whatever) during the national anthem of any friendly country. Which is to say, it is the proper and customary thing to do. If you feel like not doing either, that’s your right I suppose. A soldier of the United States must stand at attention a render a salute during the playing of any friendly nation’s national anthem. FYI and all… [/QUOTE] There is a bit of a movement afoot to amend the Flag Code to permit veterans and military members out of uniform to render a hand salute at appropriate times. It’s been introduced to Congress, and is hung up between committees now, but will likely be codified someday soon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rise-for-any-of-these-national-anthems/460262.md?page=3)