Gransnet forums

Chat

Stop curtseying

(130 Posts)
Baggs Sun 12-Aug-18 06:57:05

I think women should stop curtseying. Men don't curtsey. What's wrong with a handshake?

rafichagran Sun 12-Aug-18 20:57:19

Baggs I answered that chat in a chat forum by saying I don't see what all the fuss is about. Curtesy if you want to, don't if you don't whats the problem?

Jalima1108 Sun 12-Aug-18 20:36:18

ps and Scotland is part of the UK - that's what Scottish people chose.

Jalima1108 Sun 12-Aug-18 20:35:37

We're not subjects, we are citizens.
[sigh]

I wouldn't curtsey either btw, although I may bob an inch or so to HM if I ever meet her because I think she deserves respect, but none of the others.

However, that doesn't mean I want a presidential system.

paddyann Sun 12-Aug-18 20:33:08

those who are royal ass kissers do, the rest of us have more sense ,and more dignity than lower ourselves to that level of servitude.I have no respect for those who do it and even less for the recipients either the people or the "job" .Cant understand why anyone would respect these lazy scrounging entitled eegits.I will never consider myself to be a "subject" of any royal person I am a citizen of Scotland .Thats a country where the people are sovereign not the Queen or the parliament .

Anniebach Sun 12-Aug-18 20:02:29

No one has to do it, those who want to can, those who don’t - don’t, quite simple

Maggiemaybe Sun 12-Aug-18 19:51:07

I perfected my curtsey practising in the mirror nearly 60 years ago, all glammed up in my big sister’s sticky out net skirts, high heels and lipstick. I’ve never had the chance to show it off. Perhaps Mrs M’s just been waiting for her moment. grin

pollyperkins Sun 12-Aug-18 19:09:24

I agree janeainsworth. Would rather nod my head or bob down a bit than hug and kiss. (Not that Ive ever curtseyed except to my partner in country dances. )

FarNorth Sun 12-Aug-18 18:52:12

I will not stop curtseying and no-one can make me.
(As I have never started.)

Maggiemaybe Sun 12-Aug-18 18:34:28

Why would she want one for her DH anyway rather than for herself? confused

Anniebach Sun 12-Aug-18 18:28:58

May’s husband wouldn’t get a gong whilst she is PM .

janeainsworth Sun 12-Aug-18 18:24:16

Seems Mrs May still believes these folk are her superiors ,even though its a medieval concept.Or is she doing all this grovelling in the hope of a gong for her OH?

I think as PM she has to follow protocol Paddyann, and show she's better than the ignorant POTUS.

Grandma70s Sun 12-Aug-18 18:11:55

It’s a form of the word ‘courtesy’, BlueBelle, so not so strange really. A courteous, polite gesture.

BlueBelle Sun 12-Aug-18 17:36:42

I have never had the need to curtsy and don’t think I would if I did it’s another outdated class thingy I wonder how all the transgender will get on curtesy, bow, bow, curtsy If Mrs T gets any lower she’ll be on her knees ?
Funny word isn’t it curtsy

paddyann Sun 12-Aug-18 17:02:16

Me too Lazigirl The photos of her are ridiculous can she get any lower? Seems Mrs May still believes these folk are her superiors ,even though its a medieval concept.Or is she doing all this grovelling in the hope of a gong for her OH?

Lazigirl Sun 12-Aug-18 16:54:11

I don't think her maj has to worry about hygiene EmilyH she always wears gloves. I found the pictures of TM's deep curtsy to Prince William, a man of almost half her age who has attained his status by accident of birth, completely demeaning.

4allweknow Sun 12-Aug-18 16:39:25

What about gentlemen fro some European countries who kiss a lady's hand on meeting. Is no-one taken aback at this?

4allweknow Sun 12-Aug-18 16:32:40

Men just give a bow of the head, its not a bend over at the waist and look at the floor bow. Women do not have to give a bend the knee until it touches the floor of a courtesy. All that is usually given is the slightest bend of the knee. And, here's the real world bit, Her Majesty does not even look for these formalities when mention on a social occasion e.g. a charity do, private award ceremonies for sports personalities. Only when in public at very formal events will people be informed of the traditional approach and even then it is still the "easier" version. Her Majesty is fairly relaxed about the whole procedure.

muffinthemoo Sun 12-Aug-18 16:15:53

My littles have the most hilarious difficulty with curtseying at ballet. They make the poor PM look positively gazelle-like.

William did look vaguely mortified in the photos this week. I notice his hand was swiftly extended to her to end the display.

I had the honour of meeting Her Majesty once briefly. I admit to weeks of practice in the mirror beforehand!!

SueDonim Sun 12-Aug-18 16:07:57

There is no requirement to curtsey to anyone, not even the queen, according to Debrett's, so I don't understand why people are discussing it, really.

sarahellenwhitney Sun 12-Aug-18 15:56:39

illtellhim. Exactly. My question is why should we curtsey/lower our head to someone who through marriage obtains a HRH. Exceptions being for the spouse of the first in line ie Camilla and second in line ie Kate.I admire Princess Anne who refused titles for not only her first and second spouse but also her children.

Jalima1108 Sun 12-Aug-18 14:42:52

I hope I'm not meant to curtsey to a real 'Sir' whenever I see him - shock
Never have yet

Jalima1108 Sun 12-Aug-18 14:41:28

I thought we all had to curtesy to soop these days?
grin
Of course Galen

Jalima1108 Sun 12-Aug-18 14:39:31

When a royal person came to plant a tree where I worked years ago, several people said that they would not curtsey or bow to him - and they didn't. I wasn't introduced so didn't have to anyway.
No-one was sent off to the Tower - not that I know of.

Baggs Sun 12-Aug-18 14:26:08

raficha, in what way is a bit of CHAT about a bit of tradition a fuss? It's a CHAT in the CHAT forum ?

AlieOxon Sun 12-Aug-18 14:24:57

I'm the one who, when first meeting (at 10) our new male teacher and being told to call him 'sir', determined I never would!
But I did once pretend to curtsey. At the Museum of Glass in Birmingham - fascinating - my sister and I were leaving, and having a certain amount of flirting banter in a rather Victorian style (appropriate to the conversation at the time) with the people at the door as we left.

So as I went out, I picked up pretend skirts and did a dip in farewell! Fun.
I wouldn't ever do it for real.