I am married to an american and I am still not applied for the citizenship, so I am an alien (a legal one). My question is what should I do on social events when thay play the US National Anthem or the flag pledge? Just stay quiet and show respect?
2006-10-23 12:04:28 · 15 answers · asked by Vlady72 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I believe you have it exactly right...Just stand respectfully, removing your hat if you are a man, until everyone else sits down. Welcome to the country...I hope you like it here!
2006-10-23 12:09:26 · answer #1 · answered by motown_annie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the anthem, or at a parade if the flag is passing, stand, remove your hat (or your avatar's hat!), and hold it in your hand, over the left side of your chest (we say "over your heart", but your heart's actually in the center).
As to the flag pledge (the Pledge of Allegiance), you may either stand quietly, or join in-- although you have not as yet applied for citizenship, you may still choose to pledge your allegiance to our flag. Non-citizens serving in the U.S. military do it all the time.
Actually, when I was a chaplain with the Marines in Okinawa, both the US and Japanese anthems were played at Morning Colors, and we were expected to remain at attention, saluting, for the Japanese anthem as well as our own. It was considered a matter of simple courtesy (which, as your question shows, is never that simple!).
Welcome to the US!
2006-10-23 19:45:11 · answer #2 · answered by The Padre 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, that sounds fine. I'm an American, and I don't sing the national anthem when it's played (because it's a war song), but I always remain quiet out of respect for those who like it. So I think your choice is absolutely appropriate and respectful.
2006-10-23 12:20:07 · answer #3 · answered by locolady98 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those who say that a non-citizen should put hand over heart are incorrect. Non-citizens are merely requested to stand to attention. It is not necessary to sing the National Anthem nor recite the Pledge.
2006-10-25 09:25:30 · answer #4 · answered by skip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the "land of the free," you shouldn't have to do anything. Particularly not for something so meaningful as this -- at least beyond being respectful.
That said, when I was in your situation, not standing got a surprising number of really nasty comments. So, even if you feel no affiliation, it's useful to keep in mind that Americans tend to think they all really love their country, and that that includes thoroughly disliking anybody who does not love their country. The attitude towards immigrants is generally that you should be thrilled to death to be there, no matter where you're from or what circumstances brought you there.
If you want to keep the peace, stand up, and shut up. Even if it makes little sense to you at this point -- you're expected to fake it, allegiance-wise. There does not seem to be any obligation at all to sing, though if you like, you may do so as loudly as you please no matter what your level of skill there.
Incredibly harsh, yes, but it was a source of considerable frustration to me while there. Be prepared to renounce all allegiance and citizenship (not legally recognised by any sane country, of course) to your home country if you take citizenship. They are definitely...different, when it comes to issues of nationality.
2006-10-23 13:31:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should show the same respect to our flag as you would to your own. And if you have no respect for your flag, then you've come to the right country my friend, because here we pride ourselves in our patriotism. We may not all see eye to eye, but a common thread amongst us Americans is the pride we feel when we hear our National Anthem. Welcome to America, and good luck!!
2006-10-23 12:14:59 · answer #6 · answered by BigGeorge55 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When in Rome, do as Rome does. Stand, remove your hat. If you don't want to pledge allegience to our flag and republic, stand quietly.
2006-10-23 20:14:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Stay quiet and show respect, the same as you would expect your spouse to do if they were visiting your country.
2006-10-23 14:17:04 · answer #8 · answered by Carmen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You got it! Stay quiet and show respect.
Hope you apply for citizenship and love our country as we do.
2006-10-23 12:13:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well as a free country that is your right to sing or stay quiet. I love my country and sing that song from my heart and soul... but it is entirely up to you. (Thats the cool thing about America, you have a choice).
2006-10-23 12:12:28 · answer #10 · answered by cecilia m 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋