WWYD - ettiquette and Pledge of Allegiance

I would continue to stand as it shows respect for it. I can imagine you getting lynched before questioning if you sat. I wouldn't bother bringing it up with the chairperson.

When I went to the US to visit my folks, we went to a Rodeo (yeeeee-haaaa!) and they all stood up for the Star Spangled Banner and of course, I stood out of respect. So I think what you're doing is absolutely fine. No need for the hand on the heart mallarkey or saying the words. But I think I would look up and sort of breathe deeply and sort of smile serenely. I mean, if you stand up you should stand up and mean it so I wouldn't look at the carpet and try to disappear into the background! ?

When I lived and went to school in Kuwait we were expected to sing the national anthem twice a day and were told we were being disrespectful if we didn't sing. So, I used to sing along with the sounds not knowing what I was singing. It's a very jolly anthem actually.

I think in your position, I would stand up and bow my head looking thoughtful.

I'm a bit confused, you say "I can't take the pledge" as if not being a citizen means you're not allowed to or something. Surely you could say it along with them even though you're not a citizen if you wanted to?

Anyway, in your position I think I'd do what you are. I'd certainly stand, I don't think there's any need to speak to the chair about it, it just depends where you look so as to seem respectful rather than embarrassed, but the floor seems reasonable enough.

I don't think the pledge of allegiance is equivalent to standing for a national anthem. The former is what it says- a pledge of allegiance- and if you're a citizen of another country I can see why you can't say it. The latter is simply a mark of respect.

In your shoes I think I would just stand and look serious.

I would do what you are already doing. Sounds like a v. british response. And no offence at all, but I am giggling a bit at looking for paralell situations in the UK - the idea of having to stand for 'god save the queen' in a work environment is just weird! Based on that, it may be worth asking an American what would be least irritating for them.

When I was 7 my dad was posted to a NATO base in Holland, and the only school available was American. We used to stand 'respectfully' while the American children said their pledge, which seemed fine for the head teacher and most of the other teachers.

Apparently it's covered by Public Law No. 110-181 changes Section 9 of title 4, United States Code

"Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention"

Thanks for the replies. I just wanted to see what the consensus was, seems I'm on the right track.

Morrigan, I would not feel correct saying the words, it is something for US citizens only. And quite like taking communion when you're not baptised/confirmed, it would be wrong for me to participate. At some point I'll take my citizenship test and then will be fine with saying it when required.

That does make sense. Sorry if it seemed like I was criticising. I had this image of you being arrested or something if your colleagues found out you'd been saying it when you weren't a citizen, which seemed rather mad.

When I lived in the USA for 18 months I used to stand respectfully while the pledge was said. No one ever commented although I didn't work in a place where it was said everyday. I think what you are doing is fine. Presumably they know you are not American even if they don't know your citizen status?

I felt very strongly that it wasn't my anthem or pledge and while I was very respectful of what it meant to my American colleagues, I did not feel right about participating. I feel just as strongly about British people who don't know the words to our national anthem (that's another thread though).

I have never been in a work situation where everyone said the pledge. What kind of work do you do? (I thought you were a realtor?) But if I was I'd just stand and not say it.

Just curious, why are you thinking you will become a US citizen one day? I have considered and decided not too, but always interested in hearing the opposite point of view.

I would do what you're doing. Standing up and looking serious. When I was working with the Girl Scouts at a camp I debated whether or not I should remove my hat. Although I think that's only for men.

I also have plans to become a (joint) citizen. The biggest reason is that if we ever leave for a while (not a huge probability but possible) I'd want to be able to get back in again without any issues. My original plan was to become a citizen in time to vote in the 2008 election but I didn't get around to it. If becoming an American citizen meant giving up my British citizenship then there's no way I'd do it. H and A are also citizens (A is dual and at 8 months has both passports).

Kate

I believe the British government will not let me hold both, hence my reason for not wanting to conver to US citizenship. Our son can hold both though, and its important to me for him and any future kids to have both (thus me retaining mine for the forseeable future), Besides, I would struggle to give up my British citizenship.

I think there are circumstances where you can hold both (like if you have one British,one US parent, or British parents but don't think this is an option for me.

Plus I have some issues with the allegiance to God thing in the pledge, being somewhat of an aetheist.

Bostongirl, there's no problem from the UK point of view with holding dual citizenship or becoming a citizen of another country.

I live in a country with strong patriotic traditions (Turkey). The national anthem is often sung and everyone stands to attention. Of course, I stand to attention too and am also learning the words so I can sing along (more as a linguistic exercise than anything else, I don't think people expect it!) I certainly wouldn't remain seated - I think people would be seriously offended. However, pledging allegiance to something is clearly quite a step further and I wouldn't do that. I think standing to attention is perfectly respectful.

I was 17 when I started school in the US, and we had to say the Pledge each morning before class started. I used to just stand with everyone. The only time I did say it was when I used to do a morning a week with the Kindergarden class - I was trying to teach it to them, and the teacher thought it might be too confusing for them if they saw me not doing it which I didn't have a problem with.

Generally at events etc (which is now the only time I come across it) I just stand for respect.

TG

Wierdly I would stand as a mark of respect for another country's national anthem but I wouldn't stand for God Save the Queen. Not sure about the Pledge though...

BG, I want to get it just in case.... and also because I understand it affects the inheritance laws, so should anything happen to H, we would be better off if I was a citizen.

If it meant renouncing my British citizenship, I wouldn't do it, but since I can have both I think I'll go for it. Am planning to get S her British passport soon too.

I am a realtor, but I also work in the library and am involved with some of their committees, they say the pledge at the opening of each official meeting. How funny if Realtors did it before every open house or something...?

I always wonder about this in Ireland because in some (old fashioned) places they play the national anthem in nightclubs at the end of the night. I do think sitting looks a bit defiant and disprespectful; but I fidn the whole thing very cringy ? Mind you I'm usually swaying by then.