"Do it
my way or leave!" .
Mr. Benson, you and I have certainly discussed this previously.
It's certainly not
"my way" in this instance; it was the decision of a great number of individuals over 200 years ago upon the founding of the United States and as codified in the years thereafter. I just happen to have had the great good fortune to have been born into a country whose essential beliefs are those that I can uphold. This is one of the very, very minor points of belief, but one that is totally in line.
If one of the absolutes in my life were that I felt the need to have a crowned head to whom to pay obesience, I would certainly have the motivation to move to a country which insists upon such actions. I suggest that alternative is equally available to others who feel differently, if they find that courtesying and bowing is something that they simply cannot live without.
It just seems to me that to live in a democracy carries with it certain obligations, just as living in a monarchy has certain obligations. One of the obligations of living in this particular democracy is that I am under
no obligation whatsoever to perform these obesiences.
And, as I recall from reading upthread, it is specifically noted by the palace(s,) in issuing instructions to those coming to pay a call on HM and other royal personages, that such obesience is not considered obligatory in the UK, either. I trust this will forestall the usual response that to not courtsey or bow is to be "rude;" as was noted in that earlier discussion, it would hardly suit the various palaces to advise visitors to act rudely upon their arrival.
Do please PM me at your convenience, Mr. Benson. There is another matter which you and I must discuss.
from the same lady!!
