National Anthem played in pubs
I was in a pub in a village in Kildare on Saturday night with the gf, and another couple (who live there). Just an average local pub with a two piece "band" on playing the usual pub standards. Anyway at the end of the gig they played the national anthem. The two girls in our foursome stayed sitting. As soon as the song was over a farmer type came over to ask why they didn't get up; "Are ye Irish or what!?!". They ignored him and he went off muttering about foreigners (they're both Irish BTW)
Personally I think its a disgrace the anthem is used in this way and think it should be kept for occasions of some importance (rather than to indicate the end of some poor pub band/DJ set) but I'll stand up as I know there are idiots looking ot give me grief if I don't.
Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on it? If you were in that pub, what would have thought of the girls? Would you have said something? Do you think I'm treating the anthem with too much respect?
(BTW I've put this in current affairs rather than off topic as it has some sort of political edge to it)