Bowing to the Queen

[Ranger2]

I understand that if you're British, then if Queen Elizabeth II walks by then you have to bow/curtsy for her. But what about if you're Canadian, or Australian, or of any country that has her as head of state?
Even if you're British, is it required, or very strongly enforced, or what? Is it a law?

I assume Americans don't have to bow before the Queen.

Any answers to these questions?

[Pons-Aelius]

You don't have to do anything if she just walks by, it's when you're meeting her Brits are supposed to bow or curtsy.

But they're just "instructions", you're not going to get thrown in the Tower of London if you don't bow and anyone who objects to it (such as myself) wouldn't agree to meet her anyway.

[frigi]

Not even the British have to bow to the queen. The royal family are just celebrities now, nothing more.
Her only job is to smile and wave. Nothing more.

[killxp]

At 12/12/08 02:48 AM, frigi wrote: Not even the British have to bow to the queen. The royal family are just celebrities now, nothing more.
Her only job is to smile and wave. Nothing more.

Wasn't she able to suspend Canadian parliament just two weeks ago? Late.

[Alphabit]

At 12/11/08 06:39 PM, Ranger2 wrote: I understand that if you're British, then if Queen Elizabeth II walks by then you have to bow/curtsy for her. But what about if you're Canadian, or Australian, or of any country that has her as head of state?
Even if you're British, is it required, or very strongly enforced, or what? Is it a law?

I assume Americans don't have to bow before the Queen.

Any answers to these questions?

I'm now an Australian citizen, I had to pledge my loyalty to either the queen or god before I received my certificate. I pledged my loyalty to the queen. In my opinion (coming from another civilized country), Australia is the best country in the world and I think we have the British royals to thank for that and I would have no shame in bowing to the queen as a sign of respect for the British empire that founded this great nation. When you bow to the queen, you're not bowing before the person, you're bowing before everything that she represents - The queen represents the commonwealth.

I don't think anyone has to bow before the queen (even English citizens), but it would be very rude not to.

[InsertFunnyUserName]

I'm guessing it's more of a social standard than a law.

Besides, the queen is more of figurehead than anything now. She does still have some power, but not nearly as much as she used to have.

[JoS]

At 12/12/08 03:27 AM, killxp wrote:

At 12/12/08 02:48 AM, frigi wrote: Not even the British have to bow to the queen. The royal family are just celebrities now, nothing more.
Her only job is to smile and wave. Nothing more.

Wasn't she able to suspend Canadian parliament just two weeks ago? Late.

Actually that was the Governor General of Canada, who is our Head of State, and it was done so on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Canada.

[metalskull25]

I don't bow to equals.

[D2Kvirus]

It's only expected at formal introductions, although I believe you can opt out of it.

It's the same with Oxbridge graduations - you have to kneel to receive your scroll, but you can opt out.

[Conspiracy3]

I wouldn't bow before her. I am a supporter of meritocracy (Why is it that there is no word for that? Why isn't meritocracist a word?) I am against anyone being born into power without having to work their ass off to get it.

[Lindione]

I would only bow to her or anyone of a royal lineage if she/he (and not Britain or any state you may speak of) has done something that would gain an immense amount of respect from me.

[domdom2323]

She is a symbol of authority and as such is my commander-in-chief along with the Pope and European Union. I am proud to be one of her subjects!!!

[D2Kvirus]

At 12/13/08 04:19 PM, Conspiracy3 wrote: I wouldn't bow before her. I am a supporter of meritocracy (Why is it that there is no word for that? Why isn't meritocracist a word?) I am against anyone being born into power without having to work their ass off to get it.

I'd say because people would misread it and focus on the last six letters of the word.

[Conspiracy3]

At 12/14/08 10:06 AM, D2Kvirus wrote:

At 12/13/08 04:19 PM, Conspiracy3 wrote: I wouldn't bow before her. I am a supporter of meritocracy (Why is it that there is no word for that? Why isn't meritocracist a word?) I am against anyone being born into power without having to work their ass off to get it.

I'd say because people would misread it and focus on the last six letters of the word.

Well then not meritocracist, but why is there no word for someone who believes in meritocracy?

[mikailus]

At 12/11/08 06:39 PM, Ranger2 wrote: I assume Americans don't have to bow before the Queen.

*places hand on face* Three words: Declaration of Independence

[D2Kvirus]

At 12/14/08 10:29 AM, Conspiracy3 wrote:

At 12/14/08 10:06 AM, D2Kvirus wrote:

At 12/13/08 04:19 PM, Conspiracy3 wrote: I wouldn't bow before her. I am a supporter of meritocracy (Why is it that there is no word for that? Why isn't meritocracist a word?) I am against anyone being born into power without having to work their ass off to get it.

I'd say because people would misread it and focus on the last six letters of the word.

Well then not meritocracist, but why is there no word for someone who believes in meritocracy?

Google, bordom and curiosity came up with this word: meritocrat, as in:
1.) an advocate of meritocracy
2.) a person who has authority allegedly based on ability

Unfortunatly, the term "Equal Opportunist" hasn't been defined accordingly as yet...

[OddlyPoetic]

Its all a matter of respect good sir.

[Shreddy]

I never have or will ever consider bowing when or if i ever meet the queen.

the monachy is an absolute joke.

[ThePretenders]

I would never bow to another human being. What makes the Queen so important and better than anyone else?

[OddlyPoetic]

At 12/19/08 10:12 AM, ThePretenders wrote: I would never bow to another human being. What makes the Queen so important and better than anyone else?

Shes considered more important. therefore repsect for her is considered more important. its all about social status

[Sir-S-Of-TURBO]

I'm a socialist of sorts so I don't bow to neither the British queen or our own queen.

[morefngdbs]

I wouldn't bow down to the queen...but i do bow down to money.
Every time I see some on the ground ,down i go.

[D2Kvirus]

At 12/19/08 10:12 AM, ThePretenders wrote: I would never bow to another human being. What makes the Queen so important and better than anyone else?

D'ya think it might be because she's a Monarch?

[ThePretenders]

At 12/28/08 11:19 AM, D2Kvirus wrote:

At 12/19/08 10:12 AM, ThePretenders wrote: I would never bow to another human being. What makes the Queen so important and better than anyone else?

D'ya think it might be because she's a Monarch?

No, I mean what makes her inherently better than anyone else?

She won the sperm lottery and is living a care-free lifestyle. We moan about benefit cheats at the lower ends of society but the Royal Family is the biggest of them all.

[domdom2323]

At 12/28/08 12:39 PM, ThePretenders wrote:

At 12/28/08 11:19 AM, D2Kvirus wrote:

At 12/19/08 10:12 AM, ThePretenders wrote: I would never bow to another human being. What makes the Queen so important and better than anyone else?

D'ya think it might be because she's a Monarch?

No, I mean what makes her inherently better than anyone else?

She won the sperm lottery and is living a care-free lifestyle. We moan about benefit cheats at the lower ends of society but the Royal Family is the biggest of them all.

She deserves respect even from you, the monarchy is the symbol of our country and the Queen pays income tax and possibly stamp duty. So in a way she is not a benefit cheat.