National Anthem etiquette

[bluebonnet]

Everything you wanted to know about Canadian Honours and Salutes: http://pch.gc.ca/eng/1287067257112/1287067387688

And for etiquette during the playing of O'Canada or God Save the Queen:

Etiquette during the playing of the national anthem

As a matter of respect and tradition, it is proper to stand for the playing of "O Canada" as well as for the anthem of any other nation.

It is traditional for civilian men to take off their hats during the playing of the national anthem. Women as well as children do not remove their hats on such occasions.

There is no law or behaviour governing the playing of the national anthem; it is left to the good citizenship of individuals.

From: http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/13594023732...9402467746#a11

[ThistleDown]

As a UK ex-serviceman, I would remove my hat and stand to attention, facing the flag/band/stage/MC/coffin/centre of attention. We don't do hand over heart in the UK.

I general flags are not dipped. That usually only happens on formal occasions when being reviewed by a Head of State (or representative).

In Canada, as well.

[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!

[Ui Meachair]

Thanks everyone for all of the good information.

As a veteran, this was of particular interest to me:

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

I had a very vague memory of something like this, but I thought it was just retired vets. Thanks Steve for clearing it up.