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A curtsy (also spelled curtsey or incorrectly as courtsey) is a traditional gendered gesture of greeting, in which a girl or woman bends her knees while bowing her head. In Western culture it is the feminine equivalent of bowing by males.
- Overview
- Performing a Simple Curtsy
- Performing Other Types of Curtsies
- Posture Etiquette
Curtsying may seem simple, but it takes a proper lady to execute a proper curtsy. Curtsying used to be commonplace in everyday life, but nowadays it is reserved for members of European royalty, along with very specific occasions such as debutante balls and ballet recitals. That said, it’s still an elegant and timeless greeting that makes an invaluable addition to any lady’s etiquette. We’ll show you how to do a simple, traditional curtsy like the royals do, then a few other styles to cover your bases. We’ll also show you how to stand, walk, and sit like a lady, because etiquette doesn’t stop at the curtsy.
Lower your chin, but maintain eye contact with the person you’re curtsying for. If your skirt is long, hold it between your forefingers and thumbs.
Place your right foot about 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) behind and to the left of your left foot. Then slowly bend your knees and lower yourself about 4–6 inches (10–15 cm).
Hold that position for about 1 second, then slowly and gracefully straighten your knees and return to a standing posture, with your back straight.
Lower your chin and maintain eye contact.
Bend your head forward at a slight, 45-degree angle, as if giving an exaggerated, respectful nod.
Not too far, though; avoid pressing your chin to your chest, or looking at your feet. Maintain this position throughout the curtsy.
Perform this curtsy any time you’d like to show respect to someone else in a formal setting, such as before dancing with a partner, or meeting a partner’s parents at a banquet or gala.
Hold your skirt if it reaches your ankles.
In modern times, it isn't usually necessary to hold your skirt while you curtsy. Instead, simply place your hands at your sides, and a little bit out from your hips if you need to balance.
Extend your right foot forward, then draw it in a wide circle behind your left, resting on the ball of the foot. Keeping your back straight and your head lowered, bend your knees outward. Bow your head slightly and keep lowering yourself down until your right knee almost touches the ground. Stay in that position for 1-2 seconds, then slowly raise yourself back to an upright position.
Do this curtsy after performing for an audience, or to thank attendees for coming when hosting a formal event.
This is a somewhat antiquated curtsy used to show respect and deference to members of royalty, usually from European countries.
Begin with your heels together and your toes pointed out. Take a step to your right, place your right foot behind your left, and bend your knees with your arms out. Then, step to your left, and perform another curtsy like the first.
Stand with your spine straight and chin tucked back.
Standing like a lady is all about being as tall as possible. Pretend there’s a string tied to the top of your head, and that it’s gently pulling you upward. Keep your shoulders back to align your spine.
In addition, tense your abs inward to help keep your midsection straight.
Hold your hands behind your back, or clasped in front of your with your elbows slightly bent.
Walk with long strides, stepping with one foot in front of the other.
pretend you’re walking on a balance beam, and keep each stride a little more than the length of 1 foot in front of you. There’s no need for fancy struts, but if you feel up to it, swing your hips just a little bit along with the natural shift of your weight as you walk.
Mar 26, 2016 · Exiting the stage is also an art. When you finish singing and take your bow, head toward the exit. Look at your audience again and smile as you exit the stage. If the audience just loved what they heard, they may continue clapping, so you can take another bow. Wait for the peak of the applause and then go back onto the stage.
Simple bow. Stand in neutral, hands at your sides, feet shoulder width apart, then take in the audience’s applause for a few beats and as if saying in response, “Thank YOU!” bend at the hips til your back is parallel with the stage and your arms are at your sides. Hold for a beat or two and then stand back up.
Aug 26, 2024 · The Art of the Curtsy. “Girls are never taught to curtsy now, as they used to be. A real old-fashioned “courtesy”, as it used to be spelled, is quite an elaborate performance. First you draw back the right foot, getting it straight behind the other, and down you go, as far as the suppleness of your limbs will permit, coming up to the ...
By reimagining the curtsy—whether through exaggerated movements or integrating it into contemporary choreography—directors can enhance audience engagement. This approach allows viewers to connect with the emotional undertones of the performance while appreciating the significance of manners in both historical and modern contexts.
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Jul 15, 2024 · 3. Bow for an audience. In Western culture, it is common to bow after a speech or performance to acknowledge the applause of the crowd. As your audience claps (or snaps, cheers, etc.), put your right hand on the center of your chest. Breathe in deeply. Bend your back. Briefly bow your head, then stand back up.
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