American Anthem Etiquette

[Mr Downtown]

It didn't occur to anyone that the Olympics are not being held in the United States? That the IOC might have regs about proper athlete conduct during the ceremony and playing of national hymns? Particularly after 1936 and then 1968?

[Mike Johnson]

[quote SDGuy]Well, this has been on the books at least since July 7, 1976, or as early as June 22, 1942 (I'm too lazy to look up the sources referenced):
http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/36C3.txt
Oh, I know. Not long ago I read the Flag Code myself. But when I was a Cub Scout, they didn't yet have the internet. And if you poke around, you'll find plenty of old flag etiquette guides that don't have you put your hand over your heart.

I put my hand over my heart for the anthem now, but it feels weird and cheap.

[hal]

This is the 'land of the free'... we don't need no stinkin rules regarding how we observe the flag/anthem - that's for totalitarian ventures...

any 'code' is only suggestion - just like Miss Manners presents her opinion of proper conduct...

[StarGlazer]

Isn't it wonderful that we (well most of the forum members apparently) live in a country with such great traditions/etiquette/customs that allow us to show respect for its symbols --- if, and only if, we so choose.

I was taught that you stand up during the national anthem. And that placing your hand over your heart is a civilian form of salute one gives as the flag passes by (along with taking your hat off). My guess is that 99% of the time there is a flag present somewhere during the national athem.

[Mac1337]

Alright, looks like I have to do this,



Your hands gotta be somewhere. I'd rather have'em on my heart instead of "there".

[macnut]

The correct etiquette is to put one's hand over one's heart when reciting the pledge but NOT when the national anthem is played. Similarly, the correct military etiquette is to salute or return a salute ONLY when in uniform. For example, if one encounters a senior officer when not in uniform, one does NOT salute, regardless of what US presidents often incorrectly do.

[SDGuy]

[quote macnut]The correct etiquette is to put one's hand over one's heart when reciting the pledge but NOT when the national anthem is played.
Uhhh...what part of "all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart" is unclear?

[rjmacs]

[quote rgG]I think it probably varies according to what they have been taught to do, probably by their coaches. I noticed that the USA gymnasts and the swimmers, the ones that I watched, did place their hands over their hearts.
What i learned watching the Olympics is that the American women apparently know the lyrics of our national anthem, and the American men do not. Either that, or they consider it unmasculine or otherwise unseemly to sing. Which, to me, is just silly.

[quote RgrF]Nationalist jingoism isn't conducive to real sportsmanship; it's, if anything, a distraction from sportsmanship and in the end destructive.
Were you referring to anything in particular here? I wouldn't consider hands-over-hearts to be jingoism, especially in an international athletic competition where people compete, not as individuals, but as representatives of nations.

You can dislike that this is the design of the Olympics, but it unquestionably is. One cannot compete in the games except as a representative of a nation. For that matter, there are requirements (albeit oft abused) governing who is eligible to compete on behalf of a country. To divorce this kind of competition from patriotism and national pride would be counter to the spirit of the games. One should always remain sportsmanlike, of course, but nationalism is at the center of the Olympics.

Edit: typo correction.

[RgrF]

That's my point. Nationalism ought not to be a center of Olympic focus. What sort of national pride can Georgians take when they import Brazilians to compete for them?

I'd be just as happy if no national anthems were played and instead the athletes were honored while the Olympic anthem played. We'd get sick of the tune quick enough.

[Lux Interior]

It's just another pointless thing to hold over others heads while shouting, "I'M A BETTER AMERICAN THAT YOU!"