[MR] A Question of Protocol

[Kelly Tessena]

On 5/16/06, Olwen the Odd <olwentheodd at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >When I joined the SCA in the Midrealm, you bowed or curtsied to the
> >monarchs
> >and heirs whenever you passed them.  If they passed you, you did the
> same.
> >Margret
>
> This is a very good and definitive point made, Margret.  The issue of bow
> or
> curtsy.  It really ruffs my feathers as I see fields of women bow instead
> of
> curtsy.  I have no idea why.  Men bow, women curtsy.  It's that simple.  I
> have been very tempted to give classes in learning to curtsy.  Being
> raised
> in a formal household, I suppose this is just an issue with me, but maybe
> not.
>
> Olwen
>

I've attempted to curtsy when I wasn't wearing a dress or long skirt (for
example, wearing a Middle Eastern tunic and pants or dressed in "boy
clothes" because I was fighting), and I ended up looking clumsy and silly.
Without the skirt, it just doesn't seem to work.  I'm assuming you're
referring to women in full length dresses bowing rather than curtsying, but
it brought up an interesting question--is a lady supposed to curtsy at all
times, or if dressed as a man, should she bow instead?

Adriana