Behavior at the competitions

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by HeatherM

It is actually considered BAD MANNERS to stand quietly during the singing of the anthem.

Standing at attention implies standing quietly.

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 36, CHAPTER 10, §171. Conduct during playing

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

Originally Posted by HeatherM

Unfortunately, our culture has allowed the anthem to turn into a performer/audience situation, which it was never intended to be. It is actually against United States flag code to applaud for the anthem.

I don't know of anything in the flag code that says that. I think you might be confusing the National Anthem with the Pledge of Allegiance.