Obama's toast to Queen is toast

Obama toasts Queen - etiquete blunder. Antonia Scott.

An off-beat music cue, an unfamiliar tune or a combination of both? It seems American President Obama's toast to the Queen during the British national anthem was an embarrassing etiquette blunder that could have been averted by some topline anthem protocol and a quick music lesson.


As not all anthem etiquette is the same below are a few different national anthems and their rules of engagement to ensure you're on form whether at a sports game, national ceremony or, if luck should have it, dining with the Queen.


America
National Anthem: Star-Spangled Banner
Custom: don't speak, stand, face the flag, men remove hat, and place your right hand (holding removed hat) over your heart. Singing is optional and only members of the armed forces salute.

 United Kingdom 
National Anthem: God Save the Queen 
Custom: Stand silently or sing along to the words. It is a song which praises the Monarchy and in particular the Queen. The BBC play it at the end of the day's broadcasting.










Italy
National Anthem: Fratelli d'Italia
Custom: Stand, hand on heart and sing along. In between the first and second verse there is drum beat that Italians also sing along to "badabum badadum bada bumbumbumbumbum." The second verse is sung at a faster pace than the first so that it builds up momentum as it goes. The final word "Si!" is often shouted out loudly.









Nigeria:
National Anthem: Arise, O Compatriots
Custom: Stand, hand on heart.













Mexico
National Anthem:  Himno Nacional Mexicano
Custom: Stand, sing, with right hand across the left chest but with the palm facing outwards to the ground.












Indonesia
National Anthem: Indonesia Raya
Custom: Civilians may either place their right hand to their left-breast (heart) or salute the flag as per a military salute. The flag is often raised during the playing of the anthem with people saluting until the flag reaches the top of the pole timed with the ending of the anthem. All persons present regardless of nationality are expected to stand silently and respectfully during the flag's raising and lowering. It is a severe criminal offense in Indonesia to dishonour the flag or national anthem.







Australia
National Anthem: Advance Australia Fair
Custom: Stand straight and sing along if you know the words.














Which anthem is your favourite? Listen to a selection on National Anthems of the World.