08.14.08
Picture of the Day: National Anthem, Beijing Workers Stadium
Remember the old days when people would put their hands on their hearts to honor their country?
 |
Yeah, me neither. That tradition is long expired. In these technological times, the hand goes on the “record” button.
Alan
said,
August 15, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Hmm. Chinese have never had this tradition of putting their hands over their hearts with their national anthem. I don’t know if they have ever imported this American tradition in recent years.
Dominic
said,
August 16, 2008 at 8:23 am
Hand on the hart is very American. I’ve never seen it done in Australia and I think people would ridicule anyone who tried it.
Benjamin Ross
said,
August 16, 2008 at 9:18 am
@Dominic
I’ve seen spectators and athletes from many different countries do the hand on the heart thing at this Olympics. Personally, I’ve always thought it was a weird tradition as well. Usually thinking with one’s heart (emotionally) is what causes most of the world’s problems. Using brains (reason) is the real path to progress, but somehow I can’t picture the idea of the audience putting their hands on their cerebral cortexes during their country’s National Anthem.
b. cheng
said,
August 20, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Was this even during the Chinese national anthem?!? Do you expect them to put their hand on their heart when some other country’s anthem is being played? You say it’s at Worker’s Stadium, China’s men or women never played there. I’ve seen a lot of respect and singing among Chinese during their own anthem, but not during others.
Benjamin Ross
said,
August 20, 2008 at 2:58 pm
@ b. cheng
I probably should have made it more clear, but this was not during the Chinese national anthem. It was at the US vs. Nigeria match. That being said, I am not 100% sure that the individuals are all Chinese either. My intent of the post was not to implicate one particular group of people, but rather just show a sign of the times.
I would never expect people to put their hands on their hearts for other country’s national anthems, but in the past they would usually at least stand at attention. Again, my aim is not to pass judgment on anybody. After all, I was obviously wielding a camera as well. And as a side note, I never put my hand on my heart for the American national anthem either. Reminds me too much of 1984.