Do you stand up?
#77
Re: Do you stand up?
#78
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Do you stand up?
No they don't. Nobody deserves anything. They may earn it by not being preachy douchebags like some of their religious compatriots but you're not born deserving respect.
That's just another construct of the woolly, everyone's 'special' era of vomit inducing pap we live in.
I was being overly facetious for the most part. I don't think, on the whole, there is any intimidation but sometimes it's better to just quietly do something, rather than have to explain yourself o-v-e-r and o-v-e-r again, if you know what I mean.
That's just another construct of the woolly, everyone's 'special' era of vomit inducing pap we live in.
I was being overly facetious for the most part. I don't think, on the whole, there is any intimidation but sometimes it's better to just quietly do something, rather than have to explain yourself o-v-e-r and o-v-e-r again, if you know what I mean.
#80
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
#81
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Do you stand up?
NB: If i'm at an alumni dinner here, or a corporate / state event, then of course I will stand and show respect.
#82
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 140
Re: Do you stand up?
Last night I went to a rodeo with my husband. At the beginning of the show all the Americans stood up while the DJ/commentator was saying something (my husband doesn't know exactly what it was, but it was about America and its history). Anyway, he got really angry with me because I didn't immediately leap up and said that I was being disrespectful. When the commentator finished everyone sat down, then about five mins later we all stood up again for the 'Star Spangled Banner'.
But I would not stand for some commentator's history lesson.
#83
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: Do you stand up?
It's not a matter of "brainwashing," but of being polite. You can respect the customs of others without necessarily agreeing with them or even liking them.
Likewise, you can stand up for the anthem without supporting every US foreign policy initiative. The Pledge of Allegiance is to the country, not to the government. If you don't agree with it, then don't say it, but disrespecting it is another matter.
And if it makes you feel any better, the Pledge was the creation of a socialist during the late 19th century. It has nothing to do with the Iraq War, or for that matter, with any war in particular.
#84
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Do you stand up?
I can't remember who it was now, but someone on here said their Mum sang 'God Save the Queen' loudly over the top of the US anthem Different for a visitor I suppose.
#85
Re: Do you stand up?
So now we learn you apparently have principles that you're not afraid to display, .... unless they would hurt your credibility with your peers, associates, and superiors? ..... You had already gone done severely in my estimation today, but apparently you haven't reached the bottom of the barrel yet.
#87
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Do you stand up?
I just don't want to (or feel) compelled to show 'respect' in certain situations such as when the national anthem / stars and stripes are bounded about like the situation described above (sports game where a soldier comes out to show how the Yanks took care of those nasty Iraqi's etc). I find the whole situation nauseating. I might add, I choose not to put myself in those situations for the most part.
NB: If i'm at an alumni dinner here, or a corporate / state event, then of course I will stand and show respect.
NB: If i'm at an alumni dinner here, or a corporate / state event, then of course I will stand and show respect.
#88
Re: Do you stand up?
I was a member of a predominantly Jewish group who kept forcing the pledge at meetings, against a majority decision to drop it. One person told me it actually goes against the Jewish belief in not putting a country first (not sure if that's factually correct, but what I was told).
#89
Re: Do you stand up?
It got me thinking. My questions are - do you stand up for the 'Star Spangled Banner'? Is it disrespectful not to? Is it acceptable not to? Should you stand up for it, even though you are not an American?
I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this. Also, I'd be interested to know what some of the Americans on this board think.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this. Also, I'd be interested to know what some of the Americans on this board think.
If I was in the UK and an American visitor did the same as me, then I'd be happy that they were being repectful to their hosts. Where is do get uncomfortable is round some of the other patriotic ra-ra stuff going on which to my british sensibilities seem to be inappropriate at a sporting event. I just grit my teeth and think "when in Rome" etc until its over.
#90
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Do you stand up?
If I was in the UK and an American visitor did the same as me, then I'd be happy that they were being repectful to their hosts. Where is do get uncomfortable is round some of the other patriotic ra-ra stuff going on which to my british sensibilities seem to be inappropriate at a sporting event. I just grit my teeth and think "when in Rome" etc until its over.