General Discussions => General discussions => Topic started by: tekla on April 02, 2009, 10:23:15 AM Return to Full Version
Title: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: tekla on April 02, 2009, 10:23:15 AM
Post by: tekla on April 02, 2009, 10:23:15 AM
OK, today's big news, while the leaders of the world's biggest (and hence most recently screwed up economies) meet to try and stop the industrial and modern financial systems from spining on down the drain that their own mismanagement (or more to the point, non-management) opened up, the big news story is that Michelle Obama hugged the Queen. Which I guess is not done (well, it has been now, but).
Anyway, story at: (with photos)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/02/michelle-obama-hugs-queen_n_182237.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/02/michelle-obama-hugs-queen_n_182237.html)
Now the first thing you notice is that Michelle towers over Elizabeth II, I mean wow!
Now, the other thing is the queen put her arm around Michelle first. That and I guess there are differences in Royal etiquette in whether or not the meeting was done in official rooms, or the private apartments - which is where this is, and I think that's not the usual deal.
So, is this a big deal? Does it matter? How ever do the Brits keep all these rules straight? Are you taught them in school? Doesn't Michelle just rock?
Anyway, story at: (with photos)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/02/michelle-obama-hugs-queen_n_182237.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/02/michelle-obama-hugs-queen_n_182237.html)
Now the first thing you notice is that Michelle towers over Elizabeth II, I mean wow!
Now, the other thing is the queen put her arm around Michelle first. That and I guess there are differences in Royal etiquette in whether or not the meeting was done in official rooms, or the private apartments - which is where this is, and I think that's not the usual deal.
So, is this a big deal? Does it matter? How ever do the Brits keep all these rules straight? Are you taught them in school? Doesn't Michelle just rock?
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Sephirah on April 02, 2009, 10:36:58 AM
Post by: Sephirah on April 02, 2009, 10:36:58 AM
Wait... this is big news?
Er... not to us Brits, apparently, lol. It's the first I'd heard.
I had to do a search on the BBC website to even find the story (click the link under the video).
Michelle Obama fever hits the UK (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7978054.stm#id7970000/7977900/7977950)
So... um... I think as deals go, this isn't exactly earthshatteringly huge.
Er... not to us Brits, apparently, lol. It's the first I'd heard.
I had to do a search on the BBC website to even find the story (click the link under the video).
Michelle Obama fever hits the UK (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7978054.stm#id7970000/7977900/7977950)
QuoteOn meeting the Queen, she followed formality by curtseying, but later, during a reception, she showed her more casual, affectionate side by putting her arm around Her Majesty to hug her.
It is reported that the Queen was so taken by Mrs Obama she even said: "Now we've met, will you please keep in touch?"
So... um... I think as deals go, this isn't exactly earthshatteringly huge.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: vanna on April 02, 2009, 11:33:24 AM
Post by: vanna on April 02, 2009, 11:33:24 AM
Hahaha
awww i adore brit perceptions, i am not a brit but have lived here a long time. I can assure anyone no one gives a "insert whatever word you like here" about ettiquette and hugging or if it was the queen. They teach something in many brit schools but is not ettiquette i can safely say :)
is the joy of u.k tabloids though, they make a really odd picture and not at all like the real britain.
funny story, yes she does rock btw
awww i adore brit perceptions, i am not a brit but have lived here a long time. I can assure anyone no one gives a "insert whatever word you like here" about ettiquette and hugging or if it was the queen. They teach something in many brit schools but is not ettiquette i can safely say :)
is the joy of u.k tabloids though, they make a really odd picture and not at all like the real britain.
funny story, yes she does rock btw
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Jay on April 02, 2009, 12:18:41 PM
Post by: Jay on April 02, 2009, 12:18:41 PM
Mrs Obama rocks! ;D
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Nero on April 02, 2009, 12:36:52 PM
Post by: Nero on April 02, 2009, 12:36:52 PM
damn she's tiny!
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Pica Pica on April 02, 2009, 02:18:13 PM
Post by: Pica Pica on April 02, 2009, 02:18:13 PM
the queen has incredibly fluffy hair, impossibly fluffy hair.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Nero on April 02, 2009, 02:22:10 PM
Post by: Nero on April 02, 2009, 02:22:10 PM
and probably incredibly fluffy manners, impossibly fluffy manners.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Jay on April 02, 2009, 03:53:56 PM
Post by: Jay on April 02, 2009, 03:53:56 PM
Shes sweet though!
Jay
Jay
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Linus on April 02, 2009, 03:59:51 PM
Post by: Linus on April 02, 2009, 03:59:51 PM
I think it just highlights one of society's big issues: we always assume certain things. In this case, the assumption was that the Queen doesn't like affection (she's queen and all). We often forget she's human. And while she was brought up to behave and be a certain way, I don't think she'd ever shy from an occasional huge or gesture of warmth if she feels it's genuine.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: NicholeW. on April 02, 2009, 05:42:58 PM
Post by: NicholeW. on April 02, 2009, 05:42:58 PM
Yes, tekla, Michelle rocks.
And she evidently doesn't just tower over the QofGB, she appears to tower over most everyone in that photo with the possible exceptions of the men, including Barack, in the background!
So one doesn't hug the queen? O my, wonder how she and the prince have handled that small matter in their relationship for the past almost 60 years? :)
Slow news day, I expect.
Nichole
And she evidently doesn't just tower over the QofGB, she appears to tower over most everyone in that photo with the possible exceptions of the men, including Barack, in the background!
So one doesn't hug the queen? O my, wonder how she and the prince have handled that small matter in their relationship for the past almost 60 years? :)
Slow news day, I expect.
Nichole
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Pica Pica on April 02, 2009, 05:48:56 PM
Post by: Pica Pica on April 02, 2009, 05:48:56 PM
it was a big news day, I think they just didn't want to report the news that happened.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Cindy on April 03, 2009, 03:27:06 AM
Post by: Cindy on April 03, 2009, 03:27:06 AM
Had this sort of c**p before from the tabloid press.
An Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, put his hand on the Queen's back to present her to something. It made big news in the UK tabloids as Mister Sleeze touches the Queen
My 5 cents worth (is that a dime BTW?) Obama and whole family really rock. I just hope they stay alive. USA has some past history of getting rid of the good.
Nothing personal in that.
LoL
Good Day Your Majestys; Can you have plural majesty? What is a collection of Queens? A Mardi Gras?
An Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, put his hand on the Queen's back to present her to something. It made big news in the UK tabloids as Mister Sleeze touches the Queen
My 5 cents worth (is that a dime BTW?) Obama and whole family really rock. I just hope they stay alive. USA has some past history of getting rid of the good.
Nothing personal in that.
LoL
Good Day Your Majestys; Can you have plural majesty? What is a collection of Queens? A Mardi Gras?
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 03:38:46 AM
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 03:38:46 AM
As a British person may I say I would have given her a slap. The Queen that is! ;D
Can't stand the whole institution of the the Royal family. Bring on the Republic, the sooner the better.
BTW at 18.30 yesterday I saw Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his motorcade in Edgware Road. Was stuck in traffic heading towards Marble Arch and he was coming the other way. Crap limo, could have tried harder, but have to say his security looked evil!
Can't stand the whole institution of the the Royal family. Bring on the Republic, the sooner the better.
BTW at 18.30 yesterday I saw Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his motorcade in Edgware Road. Was stuck in traffic heading towards Marble Arch and he was coming the other way. Crap limo, could have tried harder, but have to say his security looked evil!
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Dennis on April 03, 2009, 03:49:47 AM
Post by: Dennis on April 03, 2009, 03:49:47 AM
I am so glad you guys (Americans) finally have a president and first lady the rest of the world can admire. And, as a Brit, I quite like the queen. Not sure that I'll be that fond of the monarchy when the rest of the rabble gets in there though. Excepting perhaps Prince William, she seems the last dignified monarch. It'll be the end of an era when she goes.
Dennis
Dennis
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 03:51:35 AM
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 03:51:35 AM
Quote from: Dennis on April 03, 2009, 03:49:47 AM
I am so glad you guys (Americans) finally have a president and first lady the rest of the world can admire. And, as a Brit, I quite like the queen. Not sure that I'll be that fond of the monarchy when the rest of the rabble gets in there though. Excepting perhaps Prince William, she seems the last dignified monarch. It'll be the end of an era when she goes.
Dennis
William - she? Is there a scandal there! ;D
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Cindy on April 03, 2009, 04:12:59 AM
Post by: Cindy on April 03, 2009, 04:12:59 AM
The Sun and Mirror will be on this one!
CJ
Always thought he walked funny :D
CJ
CJ
Always thought he walked funny :D
CJ
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 04:15:07 AM
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 04:15:07 AM
Hehe! ;D
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 07:05:26 AM
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 07:05:26 AM
I believe that Dennis was merely making an injudicious use of a pronoun instead of using a proper name. :)
N~
N~
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: tekla on April 03, 2009, 07:14:49 AM
Post by: tekla on April 03, 2009, 07:14:49 AM
Well its interesting, as we roll all that stuff up into one family, the head of government, head of state, and head honcho. So the trick is to seem polite, not violate any real area but never be seen to be bowing, or scraping, or groveling. Odd, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy got away with a curtsy to the queen, but she was a special case, I'm sure it would not have looked right to see Michelle do it.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 07:36:16 AM
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 07:36:16 AM
Quote from: tekla on April 03, 2009, 07:14:49 AM
Odd, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy got away with a curtsy to the queen, but she was a special case, I'm sure it would not have looked right to see Michelle do it.
:) No, more like Ms. Windsor would have curtsied to Michelle! :laugh:
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: tekla on April 03, 2009, 07:38:19 AM
Post by: tekla on April 03, 2009, 07:38:19 AM
I was waiting for the terrorist fist jab myself.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 07:41:52 AM
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 07:41:52 AM
Quote from: tekla on April 03, 2009, 07:38:19 AM
I was waiting for the terrorist fist jab myself.
O, yes!! Michelle is quite the terrorist isn't she? :laugh: Ya spoz that stuff has anything at all to do with something more than the incomparable stupidity of those who found her to be some sort of terrorist signaler or ... are they just worried about how imposing a figure she really is?
N~
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: tekla on April 03, 2009, 07:49:24 AM
Post by: tekla on April 03, 2009, 07:49:24 AM
Nah, I just think it was kind of Faux News and the unbearable whiteness of being.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 08:26:50 AM
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 08:26:50 AM
Quote from: tekla on April 03, 2009, 07:49:24 AM
Nah, I just think it was kind of Faux News and the unbearable whiteness of being.
O, good one!! :laugh:
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Sophie90 on April 03, 2009, 08:28:53 AM
Post by: Sophie90 on April 03, 2009, 08:28:53 AM
I think the Queen is pretty cool about stuff like that.
I mean, she has an iPod.
Well, since this weekend, she has 2.
Because she's just made of awesome.
I mean, she has an iPod.
Well, since this weekend, she has 2.
Because she's just made of awesome.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Dennis on April 03, 2009, 09:13:42 AM
Post by: Dennis on April 03, 2009, 09:13:42 AM
Quote from: imaz on April 03, 2009, 03:51:35 AM
William - she? Is there a scandal there! ;D
Except perhaps William, she (the queen) seems the last dignified monarch. The she refers to the queen.
Dennis
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: tekla on April 03, 2009, 09:15:28 AM
Post by: tekla on April 03, 2009, 09:15:28 AM
seems the last dignified monarch
Oh yeah, and the whole royalty deal had just a great run of dignity before.
Oh yeah, and the whole royalty deal had just a great run of dignity before.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 09:30:20 AM
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 09:30:20 AM
Quote from: Dennis on April 03, 2009, 09:13:42 AM
Except perhaps William, she (the queen) seems the last dignified monarch. The she refers to the queen.
Dennis
I know, it was a joke :)
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 10:27:33 AM
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 10:27:33 AM
Quote from: tekla on April 03, 2009, 09:15:28 AM
seems the last dignified monarch
Oh yeah, and the whole royalty deal had just a great run of dignity before.
Well, every royal house has it's undignified lot as well as it's dignified ones, no? I mean Henry VIII as opposed to Elizabeth I, Edward II as opposed to Henry III, Edward Vii as opposed to George V etc, etc.
Surely you can't let a few, maybe half of the total of all the royal houses, of the bad apples spoil the entire truism can ya? :laugh:
Nichole
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Pica Pica on April 03, 2009, 01:43:09 PM
Post by: Pica Pica on April 03, 2009, 01:43:09 PM
i had a job interview today to work at a royal palace
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 01:51:50 PM
Post by: NicholeW. on April 03, 2009, 01:51:50 PM
Quote from: Pica Pica on April 03, 2009, 01:43:09 PM
i had a job interview today to work at a royal palace
Spain? :)
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Jaimey on April 03, 2009, 04:47:59 PM
Post by: Jaimey on April 03, 2009, 04:47:59 PM
Quote from: Pica Pica on April 03, 2009, 01:43:09 PM
i had a job interview today to work at a royal palace
...I can see it. How did it go?
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 04:56:53 PM
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 04:56:53 PM
Quote from: Pica Pica on April 03, 2009, 01:43:09 PM
i had a job interview today to work at a royal palace
You do know that prince Charles used to have someone hold his dick for him while he had a piss I hope! :o
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Pica Pica on April 03, 2009, 05:15:31 PM
Post by: Pica Pica on April 03, 2009, 05:15:31 PM
it went okay, we shall see
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 05:26:21 PM
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 05:26:21 PM
You managed to get the direction right? ;)
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Pica Pica on April 03, 2009, 06:27:05 PM
Post by: Pica Pica on April 03, 2009, 06:27:05 PM
as long as you missed the shoes.
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 06:30:17 PM
Post by: imaz on April 03, 2009, 06:30:17 PM
Hehe!
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Dennis on April 03, 2009, 07:36:13 PM
Post by: Dennis on April 03, 2009, 07:36:13 PM
Quote from: Nichole on April 03, 2009, 10:27:33 AM
Well, every royal house has it's undignified lot as well as it's dignified ones, no? I mean Henry VIII as opposed to Elizabeth I, Edward II as opposed to Henry III, Edward Vii as opposed to George V etc, etc.
Surely you can't let a few, maybe half of the total of all the royal houses, of the bad apples spoil the entire truism can ya? :laugh:
Nichole
Inbreeding ftw.
Dennis
Title: Re: For Brits and nonBrits - Can A Cat Look At A Queen?
Post by: Jaimey on April 03, 2009, 11:00:14 PM
Post by: Jaimey on April 03, 2009, 11:00:14 PM
Quote from: Dennis on April 03, 2009, 07:36:13 PM
Inbreeding ftw.
Only royals and hillbillies... >:-) I'm from KY...I feel like I shouldn't make inbreeding jokes...