National Anthem etiquette

[Downunder Kilt]

Same as in Australia, Chas

[okiwen]

In the US, I stand at attention, facing the flag of honor. During the National Anthem I place my hand over my heart with head gear removed. In the Pac. NW, we hear the Canadian Anthem often. I stand at attention and respectfully face the flag of honor, and allow our visiting Canadians to honor their national colors that is visiting our event.

[Steve Ashton]

As the OP is located in the United States:

The etiquette around the flag and the National Anthem in the United States is set by "The United States Flag Code".

Here is a link to a Wiki article that has a fairly good synopis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code

Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem

• When reciting the Pledge of Allegience , all present should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hand over their heart, with the exception of those in uniform who shall salute.
• When the national anthem is played or sung:

1. Designation: The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
2. Conduct During Playing: During a rendition of the national anthem:
   
   1. When the flag is displayed:
      
      1. individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
      2. members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
      3. all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
      
      
   2. when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
   
   

The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Sec. 595.) allows the military salute for the flag during the national anthem by members of the Armed Forces not in uniform and by veterans.

[seanachie]

And of course localizing the US we know how to do things in Boston pretty well......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzMsagY7oRs

[McClef]

Don't try singing the Spanish National Anthem - it doesn't have any words!

[EagleJCS]

I've done a fair amount of reading on protocols for this sort of thing, as I'm involved in the Boy Scouts of America and we occasionally do a few ceremonies, some even with international representatives. (I did some research for a young man who asked for guidance in performing the duties of an honor guard for flag raising/lowering.)

In the U.S., it is customary upon the playing of the U.S. National Anthem (currently The Star-Spangled Banner) to stand and face the U.S. flag (or the source of the anthem when it is being played if no flag is present). See United States Code (USC) Title 36 etc. re: National Anthem for a full description. (Steve has previously noted a Wikipedia article reference, the site I referenced is the online respository of the actual code.)

I have found it to be respectful to stand quietly and remove one’s headgear at the playing of other nation's national anthems as well. It’s not necessary (or expected, unless you’re a citizen of that nation) to salute or ‘render honors’ to their colors.

As far as dipping flags go (as part of ‘rendering honors’), again, check out the USC (this time, Title 4, chapter 1, section 8). The U.S. flag is never dipped (especially not while in the U.S.), unless it is the ensign (the U.S. flag flying on a ship) responding to a salute from a ship of a foreign nation. State or other organization's flags may be dipped in salute.

[KD Burke]

As far as dipping flags go (as part of ‘rendering honors’), again, check out the USC (this time, Title 4, chapter 1, section 8). The U.S. flag is never dipped (especially not while in the U.S.), unless it is the ensign (the U.S. flag flying on a ship) responding to a salute from a ship of a foreign nation. State or other organization's flags may be dipped in salute.

Dipping the ensign is, I'm afraid, another tradition that is going by the wayside. Few merchantment continue the practice due to skeletally thin crews and warships the world over have deck officers who are terrified of flubbing the procedure!

[Ruanaidh]

And of course localizing the US we know how to do things in Boston pretty well......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzMsagY7oRs

The Canadians can do it pretty well themselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j5ucKaBtR4

[McClef]

And with Mounties too! Been to Canada twice and not seen one in the famous uniform!

[cessna152towser]

In Scotland, nowadays the only time I ever hear God Save the Queen is at the end of the annual Remembrance Day service and then only the first verse, because it is regarded as an English National Anthem. Out of respect though to our common monarch I would always stand to attention during the singing of that verse. Flower of Scotland seems to be unofficially Scotland's anthem though there are other contenders.
I recall standing silent a few years ago while The Star Spangled Banner was sung by a young female soloist at the Ventura Games. The crowd fell silent, some with hands on heart and most stood still though a few continued walking. In contrast when Flower of Scotland followed I was kind of disappointed that everyone started chattering and moving around again.
I've been to renderings of Oh Canada at Canada Day events in London England and at a Scottish Games in Canada and most people stood silent or joined in the singing.

Been to Canada twice and not seen one in the famous uniform!

You would be able to see a few Canadian Mounties in uniform near Canada House in London England on Canada Day.