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Do you find it disrespectful when others do not place their hands over their hearts during the national anthem or is this something only southerners find offensive?
It isn't disrespectful.
Standing for the national anthem (of any country) is a sufficient display of respect.
Interesting, now I know why people do that in ballgames. As a product of the California school system, K-12 and University of California college system we were never taught to put our hands over our hearts for the national anthem. Hand over heart was only for the pledge of allegiance, for the national anthem we were to stand and have your hands by our sides and or course of sing it.
Being that CA is such a melting pot with so many new immigrants, I'm sure a tradition like this is easily lost without it being taught in school.
Interesting, now I know why people do that in ballgames. As a product of the California school system, K-12 and University of California college system we were never taught to put our hands over our hearts for the national anthem. Hand over heart was only for the pledge of allegiance, for the national anthem we were to stand and have your hands by our sides and or course of sing it.
I grew up in Louisville, KY (kinda the south, kinda the midwest) and we were taught the same thing:
-Pledge of Allegiance = place hand over heart and recite pledge while looking toward U.S. flag.
-National Anthem = stand up, look toward flag (if there is one), and either sing or remain silent until song is finished.
I don't find it disrespectful at all if people don't put their hands over their hearts for the Anthem, just as I would not find it disrespectful for someone not to bow her head during a public prayer (in a secular setting). To me, whether or not one should put her hand over her heart (as well as bowing her head during a public prayer) is a personal preference. I would probably find it disrespectful if people talked through the Anthem or remained seated, though.
I wasn't taught that one needed to do that for the National Anthem. I also did not recite the Pledge in school every day like kids do now (I wonder if I remember the words).
I've always been suspicious of the overly nationalistic and those who rely too much on rituals in order to prove their patriotism, I show respect for the national anthem if it is played in a venue where I happen to be by standing (I'm a horrible singer, so usually I don't sing along), but I think it is overused, and has become cheapened due to its ubiquitousness.
Having read this thread, it is apparent that this idea that there is a misconception of what is disrespect and what is regional differences. Good manners requires us to assume the best in another and to not make a show of your guest by maginifying a social faux pas. So the southern way to criticize Obama should be " OH, Barack does not know we cover our hearts for the National Anthem in these parts, bless his heart." And the northern criticism of McCain should be "Does he think he is still in the south? Hey Cindy, better tell your boy we sing up here!" Giggles.
When we would go to the movies on base, the Anthem was played in the theater. Everyone stood and sang. Military members stood at attention.
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