Thursday, April 2, 2009

Michelle Obama committed a faux pas...

...yesterday when according to Time magazine she:

briefly put her hand on the back of Queen Elizabeth II as the two chatted at a reception. Etiquette is quite stern about this ("Whatever you do, don't touch the Queen!").

As an American, I have to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry that Mrs. Obama didn't put her hand on the queen's head and muss her hair. Who does this woman think she is? She's a human being, a mere mortal, just like the rest of us. And how nuts are the Brits for putting up with this nonsense? The account continues:

Of course, there are corollaries to this. One must certainly touch the Queen if the monarch offers her hand (though you should return this not with a firm handshake but just a touch).

I'd squeeze her hand so hard it would bring the old biddy to her knees.

Another defense for Michelle Obama, of course, is that she is not a subject of the Queen.

Duh! I thought we settled this two hundred years ago!

The First Lady
of the United States is not required to curtsy before her or any other crowned head.

She'd better not. Does it say anything about the Queen curtsying before the First Lady? And call her Elizabeth, for God's sake, that's her name!

The article went on to mention that George W. Bush once violated protocol by winking at the Queen. I may be developing a whole new respect for the 43rd president.

No comments: