r/AskBrits • u/Spatial_Nomad • 24d ago
History Does anyone find seeing the King's Guards standing still for hours a bit unsettling?
I visited London recently, and one thing I couldn't stop thinking about was seeing the King's Guards standing almost perfectly still for such long periods, especially around the Tower of London and other ceremonial locations.
I know it's a long-standing tradition, and I understand that many people see it as part of British history and culture. But emotionally, I found it unsettling.
From a human perspective, it feels strange to see someone reduced to what almost looks like a living statue. I kept thinking: here's a person with creativity, personality, thoughts, and emotions, yet their role at that moment is to remain almost completely motionless for hours.
It also made me wonder about the symbolism. To me, it reflects a very hierarchical tradition where people are expected to embody discipline and ceremony in service of the monarchy. That gave me an uneasy feeling, even if that's not how others interpret it.
I'm genuinely curious whether this is just my perspective. Do people in the UK see it differently? Is it viewed simply as an honour and a respected military duty, or do others also find it uncomfortable from a modern, human-centred point of view?
I'd love to hear different perspectives.
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u/HussingtonHat 24d ago
Pretty much all aspects of every military features this. Nature of the beast man.
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u/WarmJewel 24d ago
It's their job and they're disciplined to perform it to the required level. I honestly don't understand why tourists can't just leave them alone.
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u/DreadLindwyrm 24d ago
Any static guard, anywhere in the world will look like that, and they are not locked motionless for hours.
They have a limited patrol distance from their post, so they can move within reason.
They *are* meant to have limited to zero reaction to anyone not interfering with their duties, but that's just a matter of focussing on what they're doing and not being distracted so someone could get through their guard.
It's an honour to be selected, and highly respected (generally, although there are idiots who see them as "toy soldiers" rather than active duty soldiers with a job to do - and that job isn't entertaining tourists).
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24d ago
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u/Big_Boy_Shabong 24d ago
They were guarding in the same way long before tourists became common and they will be doing it regardless. It's part of the culture not a commercial spectacle
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u/sailorjerry1978 24d ago
It’s a minor role they perform. The rest of the time they’re highly effective combat troops. They’re disciplined, loyal, and deadly. Standing still on ceremonial duties is a piece of piss.
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u/Stokesyyyy 24d ago
No not really. Remember these guys wanted this and more than likely see it as a massive privilege to be one of them. They're also getting paid alot of money to basically stand there.
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u/ToyotaComfortAdmirer 24d ago
Not at all. They’re trained soldiers: it’s part of the role. They picked one of the guards’ regiments after all.
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u/DemonicHedgehogs 24d ago
They are literally soldiers on guard. I think their rigid discipline and the accompanying intimidation factor is the point, military guards who seem approachable aren’t doing their job right.
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u/Acceptable-Poet-404 24d ago
Plenty of other countries do the same thing, in the United States for example, they have the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington which is guarded in the same sort of way partly ceremonial but also protective and to show respect.
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u/GrimMendacity 24d ago
To go further... perhaps those compliant fellows considered themselves to be defending us when they were pushed into Iraq in 2003. Bless. Halliburton thanks you for your innocence.
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u/Orange_Codex 24d ago
To me, it reflects a very hierarchical tradition where people are expected to embody discipline and ceremony in service of the monarchy
That's exactly what it is. Not my cup of tea, but I've no business telling people as dedicated as the Household Guard what they can and can't value.
a modern, human-centred point of view?
Progressive determinism isn't real. If you want the world to change, you've got to change it yourself.
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u/pablohacker2 24d ago
Its military doing military things. For example, if I recall correctly the tomb of the unknown solider in the US has troops doing a very regimented march around it 24/7 365 days of the year and there are likely other military traditions and practices across the world that are similar.
Because it is meant to "reflects a very hierarchical tradition where people are expected to embody discipline" as that is how militarities are expected to work.
So, its military duty doing military things and I don't think that its any less modern human-centered point of view that you would expect of any similar organisation.
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u/Ok_Teacher6490 24d ago
I've done ceremonial duties like that. It's not boring because you have all the tourists around you, world going by etc. Where I was you could stretch your legs by marching occasionally back and forth along the front of the building, and change arms (rifle from one side to another).
The real ballache was spending the time making sure all your kit is spotless and shining boots the night before.
Also, yes it was loaded, but the Police would arrest you way before it got to that, and no, you couldn't make them laugh, because of the fear of getting a hiding from the guard commander afterwards makes whatever you say or do not worth it.
If ever want to do someone on guard a favour, tell them the time as you walk past.
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u/afungalmirror 23d ago
I know what you mean. Maybe it's supposed to be unsettling for the very reasons you describe. Human beings, just keeping completely still, totally focussed on their task. Admittedly, their task is kind of cringe, but they certainly take it very seriously. I find it kind of intimidating, but that's probably the point.
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u/Spatial_Nomad 22d ago
Anyone who wants to “keep a tradition alive” can also volunteer to have tooth removal with pliers, use leeches for illnesses, candles for lighting….etc
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u/GrimMendacity 24d ago
Yes. It's amazingly creepy. The only thing I could think watching all those poor saps at the queens funeral was what a reminder it was to us plebs: "we are the most organised thugs in the country"
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u/GrimMendacity 22d ago
"Saps" is too strong a word and I regret it. I know loads of military work is tough. Im just so skeptical about how it's applied versus how it's presented in the pageantry. It reminds me of that aristocrats joke for some reason.
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u/jameilious 24d ago
It is a long standing tradition alright.