Sick kid at home today, I was already off work. I'm perusing the USMC Silent Drill team.

I took a tangent, and started watching some of the Queen's Guard videos. Why on Earth do they have to take so much crap from bystanders???

If you've ever seen the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Changing of the Guard, they don't put up with anything.

At most of our Military Ceremonies, you can almost hear a pin drop. Total respect and courtesy, and if there isn't, it's dealt with very quickly.

Britian populace and U.S. populace histories with our armed forces are quite different. I think that has much to do with it.

Makes sense, I guess...

Links?

quote:

Originally posted by DSgrouse:
Britian populace and U.S. populace histories with our armed forces are quite different. I think that has much to do with it.

I dunno... How many of the folks harassing the Queen's Guards are native Brits versus stupid tourists? I'd guess that the vast majority are the latter.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by DSgrouse:
Britian populace and U.S. populace histories with our armed forces are quite different. I think that has much to do with it.

I dunno... How many of the folks harassing the Queen's Guards are native Brits versus stupid tourists? I'd guess that the vast majority are the latter.

I was thinking this as well. Maybe some of our members from Across The Pond could clarify for us. TacFoley, are you there?

a throat punch or two might solve the problem.*sarc*

Wasnt there a movie about trying to make them laugh or something? I'd guess that didnt help

I've seen a few videos where the Queen's guard have gone after people, knocked them down, shoved them, etc.

I think at a lot of those ceremonies, the crowd is mostly tourists. So they in fact may not have a lot of respect for the British Military or their monarchy. They're just there for the show.

Also, I think everyone visiting Arlington realizes what it's about. It's not about a way past it's prime show monarchy.

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
I think at a lot of those ceremonies, the crowd is mostly tourists. So they in fact may not have a lot of respect for the British Military or their monarchy. They're just there for the show.

Also, I think everyone visiting Arlington realizes what it's about. It's not about a way past it's prime show monarchy.

This covers it.

So does Youtube with a couple of instances of the some Asian klutz actually laying a hand on one of them.

He got the 'point', I think.

BTW, outside Buckingham Palace they have live ammunition.

tac

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
I think at a lot of those ceremonies, the crowd is mostly tourists. So they in fact may not have a lot of respect for the British Military or their monarchy. They're just there for the show.

Also, I think everyone visiting Arlington realizes what it's about. It's not about a way past it's prime show monarchy.

This covers it.

So does Youtube with a couple of instances of the some Asian klutz actually laying a hand on one of them.

He got the 'point', I think.

BTW, outside Buckingham Palace they have live ammunition.

tac

Link to original video: https://youtu.be/hFyFk3VpoDU

Thanks, Tac.

I have a hard time watching these idiots taunt the Royal Guard, but worse are the dumbasses filming and laughing during the ordeal.

I don't think that would fly very well in America.

These videos are actually kind of depressing.

Yes, most of the imbeciles that get yelled at or shoved are mostly clueless tourists. But there was a time when even tourists knew to be respectful of a soldier, in uniform and on duty, armed with a bayonet tipped rifle.

There appears to be a generalized mis-perception that the Queen's Guard are simply full-time actors in costumes carrying ceremonial props for the enjoyment of the tourists themselves. Nothing could be further from the truth.

At the same time, few who visit would care because they're not going to learn or understand. They're making faces, getting in the way, and pretty much acting like douches because it's about them and not the institution or people they're visiting. It's has nothing to do with the Palace, the Guard or even the Monarchy and everything to do with the way society has become "me-focused." There are no bad consequences for anything I do, nothing should be taken seriously, and the entire world exists solely for my personal amusement. It's the kind of delusion that, once it takes hold, can only be solved with a proper ass-kicking.

I can eventually see one of two things happening which will end what used to be a fun and friendly rite for thousands.

1) There will be a France-style stabbing where some terrorist tries to assault a guard and take his gun. No, it won't be very successful because the Palace has surely planned for such a contingency, and that guard you are assaulting is a trained soldier, not an actor. But given how close tourists can actually get to a guard (close enough to lay a hand), and the fact that it's already been tried a few times in nearby-France it's not beyond the realm of possibility that someone fanatical enough might try again.

If that happens and a guard actually gets stabbed or jumped by a group, I would expect future crowds to be pushed way back so that no one can get close to the guards anymore.

2) I'm kind of surprised that this hasn't already happened: someone who is off-duty or retired from the Queen's Guard is in the crowd and gets fed up with how tourists are treating the guys on duty and has more than harsh words with the offending tourist.

And people will wonder why we can't have nice things

This is a good read, having been written by a bunch of serving and former military personnel -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_Guard

Of particular note is that the Brigade of Gurkhas has provided a Queen's Guard. You sure as sh*t wouldn't futz around with them, else you'd find yourself getting back on the tour bus with your head in a bag.

tac

^^^^
I agree, LDD.

But then there's also this.

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:

Of particular note is that the Brigade of Gurkhas has provided a Queen's Guard. You sure as sh*t wouldn't futz around with them, else you'd find yourself getting back on the tour bus with your head in a bag.

tac

Well hey, at least that tourist is going home with a souvenir! A trinket, if you will.

As I recall the Tomb of the Unknowns has a camera that is monitored in their ready room. Engage the guard and you'll likely get taken down. Recall watching a tourist state to climb the steep to the tomb. The guard corrected him in a way that left no doubt he'd better stop.

its all about context and intent

if you're disrespectful, then get expect to get treated like the asshole that you are

I was hoping that the cretin that assaulted the guard got a bayonet to the chest

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
It's not about a way past it's prime show monarchy.

Past its prime?

France thought that.

So did China, India, Germany, Russia, and Spain to name a few powerful nations. The only nations that defeated them are the US and Afghanistan.

The British monarchy has been around, in one form or another for a thousand years.

Yes, the last 75 have seen a downturn. I blame it on the GDCs.

I bet they are just biding their time.