History Main / EveryProperLadyShouldCurtsy

** May does this a few times in ''Anime/PokemonLucarioAndTheMysteryOfMew''. One after [[GirlySkirtTwirl spinning around with her dress]], and before she throws her 3 Pokéballs.

* May does this a few times in ''Anime/PokemonLucarioAndTheMysteryOfMew''. One after [[GirlySkirtTwirl spinning around with her dress]], and before she throws her 3 Pokéballs.

* The cast curtain call at the end of the 1956 film ''Film/TheBadSeed'' tops off with little Patty [=McCormack=] curtsying to the audience.

* In ''Fanfic/TheGhostOfOchs'', Monica does this when introducing herself to Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude. She means it as a respectful gesture, but it's mostly out of deference - she's the daughter of a baron from a minor noble house, and they're the heirs apparent to [[TheEmpire an empire]], [[TheGoodKingdom a kingdom]], and [[TheAlliance an alliance]], respectively, and rank ''much'' higher on the nobility food chain. Ingrid does the same thing when meeting Baron Ochs for the first time.

* In ''Fanfic/TheGhostOfOchs'', Monica does this when introducing herself to Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude. She means it as a respectful gesture, but it's mostly out of deference - she's the daughter of a baron from a minor noble house, and they're the heirs apparent to [[TheEmpire an empire]], [[TheKingdom a kingdom]], and [[TheAlliance an alliance]], respectively, and rank ''much'' higher on the nobility food chain.

* In ''Manga/VictorianRomanceEmma'' the eponymous Emma, being a maid, frequently curtsies.

** Some female dancers curtsy as well after dancing at a ball in season 2 before Hannah provides music that brainwashes everyone.
** Sebastian gives Sieglinde lessons on how to act like a lady in chapter 107 including teaching her how to curtsy.

* In episode 11 of the anime ''Anime/GhostStories'' a CreepyDoll named Mary does this at one point.
* In ''Manga/VictorianRomanceEmma'' the eponymous Emma, being a maid, frequently curtsies.
* Dr. Fennel from ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fennel_9804.JPG does so]] in her animated ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' appearance, using a lab coat instead of a dress.
** Throughout the ''X and Y'' arc, girls frequently curtsy when they put on Pokémon performances.

* In ''LightNovel/KyoKaraMaoh'' episode 85, Yuuri, who's disguised as a girl, does this.
* ''Manga/HayateCrossBlade'': The girly Inori Sae does so.

* ''Manga/BlackButler'':
** Lizzie does this when greeting Sebastian.
** Ciel also curtsies to Aleister when DisguisedInDrag.
** Some female dancers curtsy as well after dancing at a ball in season 2 before Hannah provides music that brainwashes everyone.
** Sebastian gives Sieglinde lessons on how to act like a lady in chapter 107 including teaching her how to curtsy.
* Roberta does this in ''Manga/BlackLagoon'' after she finishes mowing down a group of thugs in a bar with her umbrella gun, in doing so she revealed to the surviving thugs that she had several grenades hidden under her dress and had pulled off all the pins in the process.
* ''Manga/TheQuintessentialQuintuplets'': [[RescueRomance After being saved]] by "Kintarou" ([[LovesMyAlterEgo who is actually Fuutarou with a blond wig]]), [[{{Tsundere}} Nino]] does this while asking him to dance with her by the bonfire.
* The Demon King ([[SamusIsAGirl or rather]], [[SheIsTheKing Queen]]) of ''LightNovel/{{Maoyu}}'' does this during her first meeting with TheHero when he arrives to her castle. Serves as part of her EstablishingCharacterMoment as a polite and benevolent person.

* ''[[WesternAnimation/DynomuttDogWonder Dynomutt]]'' #1 (Nov. 1977): Not only does Dynomutt's young friend (actually a villainess) Goody Twoshoes curtsy to Blue Falcon, she lifts her skirt up high enough to provide a PantyShot.

* In ''WesternAnimation/AliceInWonderland'', the Queen of Hearts demands that Alice curtsy whenever she addresses her.

* In ''WesternAnimation/OliverAndCompany'', during the instrumental part of "Good Company", Jenny gives a one-sided curtsy to an older lady and gentleman.

* In ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'', this is how Princess Aurora greets her parents when she meets them for the first time in almost 16 years, emphasizing her suitability as a royal princess.

* The cast curtain call at the end of the 1956 film ''Film/TheBadSeed'' tops off with little Patty [=McCormack=] curtsying to the audience.

* Justified in ''Film/TheQueen'' since that is obviously the expected etiquette for women meeting the Sovereign of Britain. In fact, when she meets the mourners of Diana in public, the fact she encounters a whole line of Britons including women eager to curtsy to her, it's a welcome sign that she still has their respect.

* Katniss does this in ''Film/TheHungerGames'' [[spoiler:after shooting an arrow at the gamemakers, who apparently had better things to do than pay attention to her archery display]].
** She does it again in ''Catching Fire'' [[spoiler:after building an effigy of Seneca Crane, who had been executed for allowing both Katniss and Peeta to survive]].

* ''Film/EverAfter'':
** Danielle's new step-sisters Marguerite and Jacqueline do this when meeting her. They also do this when greeting Prince Henry. And when Danielle pretends to be a countess she curtsy's out of respect upon seeing Henry.
** Almosty at the end of the movie, Marguerite and her mother are seen doing this again to the King and Queen [[spoiler: when they call the two up to explain themselves for their shitty treatment of Danielle.]]

* In the 1953 film version of ''Film/KissMeKate'', the actresses practice curtsies for the CurtainCall, and Lois lifts her skirt a good bit higher than necessary.

* In ''Literature/DragonBones'', Ward's younger sister Ciarra only curtsies after being told so, and then she rolls her eyes before doing it - despite her living in a world where that's normal, she seems to find it silly. She's a bit of a wild child and not very interested in courtly manners. Even when she does curtsy, Ward notes she does it more like a lady-in-waiting than a proper lady.
* When she finds herself in a quasi-medieval world, Sarah from ''Literature/GreystoneValley'' greets friends with a curtsy because it seems like the proper thing to do.
* Ella from ''Literature/EllaEnchanted'' is depicted as being very clumsy at the beginning, stating that "curtsies often make me fall over". Her father wishes for her to become less clumsy and more ladylike and sends her to finishing school. Ella rebels against the stern teachers at the school but eventually gives in to their teachings until she runs away. The next time her father sees her she's much more graceful and able to do a perfect curtsy.
* ''Literature/AliceInWonderland'' - Alice is constantly doing this when meeting various Queens, and one of them even tells her to curtsy while she's thinking what to say. Apparently, it saves time.
* In ''Literature/TheSilverChair'', Jill Pole just bows, as she's from post-UsefulNotes/WorldWarII England and thus she wasn't taught how to curtsy at school. She learns how in the next book.

* Done all the time in ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime''. Always.

* In ''[[Literature/AuntDimity Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree]]'', when the doorbell rings at Fairworth House just after Willis Sr.'s housewarming party, Willis Sr. mentions that he's expecting neighbour and art restoration expert Grant Tavistock to return for the soot-covered painting in his study. Lori refuses to carry it to Grant's car because she doesn't want it to soil her lovely dress. Willis Sr. pays her a courtly compliment on said dress, Lori thanks him, and then: "I curtseyed in a ladylike manner, then hiked up my lovely dress and set off for the entrance hall at a distinctly unladylike jog."
* Literature/PrinceRoger is more than a little surprised when his Marine Sergeant 'date' greets their Mardukan hosts with an expert curtsy.
* In ''[[Literature/ChroniclesOfNarnia A Horse and His Boy]]'' Aravis' perfect Calormene style curtsy is contrasted with Shasta's very awkward bow.
* In ''Literature/ThePerilousGard'' Kate's clumsiness is most apparent in her inability to perform an acceptable curtsy. Part of her 'makeover' is being taught how to move gracefully by the 'Fairies'.
* Played with in ''Literature/TheGoblinEmperor'': The previous Emperor's widow declared it unfashionable for the ladies at court to curtsy. She's a rather nasty person, and Maia takes an instant liking to the women who defiantly curtsy in spite of this.

* In the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode, "Lucy Meets the Queen", Lucy practices a 'perfect curtsy' so relentlessly that she ends up with a severe charley horse that threatens to compromise Ricky's 'Trained Horses' routine, and her own chance to meet the Queen.
** When the Queen expressly wanted to meet the woman who put so much humor in the routine, Lucy tried to curtsy as practice and couldn't get out of it. She got two stagehands to carry her to the presentation.
* In ''Series/GameOfThrones'', Shae's inexperience at court is evident in her inept curtsy. Cersei, who had perfected the gesture at age four, shows her how it's done. Cersei also takes note when the mannish Brienne of Tarth doesn't curtsy to her, but bows instead. Brienne explains that she "never really mastered" the curtsy.
* Jess on ''Series/NewGirl'' ("Did... did you just curtsy?")
* A ''Series/HappyDays'' episode with a Halloween theme had Joanie, dressed as Snow White, curtsying after reciting the "mirror, mirror, on the wall" poem.
* In ''Series/Daredevil2015'', the realtor showing Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson around their office space in "Into the Ring" curtsies awkwardly when she attempts to shake Matt's hand, but then remembers that he's blind.
-->'''Foggy Nelson:''' She just curtsied. It was adorable.
-->'''Matt Murdock:''' Well it's nice to know chivalry isn't dead.

* "Princess" Agatha of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' does when you give her one of the golden bugs.
* Princess Peach curtsies for King Nimbus in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG,'' a rare gesture, as she's typically the highest-ranked person present in her appearances.
* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' the Alliance female characters, except the Night Elf, curtsy; it's associated with the /bow command.
* Happens often in ''VideoGame/RuleOfRose''. But there it's just kind of creepy.
* Until she gets used to acting like a commoner, this is how Princess Garnet from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'' says hi. Not a good thing when [[KingIncognito she's supposed to be incognito]].

* In the ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood'' games, [[{{Meido}} Hi]][[NinjaMaid sui]]'s win pose has her curtsying to the enemy she's just defeated.
* ''Videogame/DragonAgeII'':
** Inverted in ''Dragon Age II'' where the only person who curtsies to Hawke is Isabela, perhaps the least ladylike person in the entire game. Add to that it's a pretty sarcastic bow.
** In the ''Mark of the Assassin'' DLC, Tallis curtsies briefly when introducing herself.
* In ''Videogame/DragonAgeInquisition'', several characters will curtsy to the Inquisitor during a mission where you have to make nice at an Orlesian (fantasy France) masquerade ball. The lady Inquisitor and her female companions, however, don't curtsy due to wearing a tunic and trousers.
* In ''VideoGame/TheAllianceAlive'', Azura curtsies to the player when her stats level up. [[{{Tomboy}} It's probably the most feminine thing she does in the game.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'':
** Pictured above: Lila from ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'' does it in the episode "Helga's Masquerade" when trying to teach Helga how to be more feminine.
** Helga also does so sarcastically in the episode "Helga and the Nanny", when her overbearing, old-fashioned nanny, Inge, demands that Helga curtsy out of respect for her father.
* Penny in ''WesternAnimation/TheProudFamily'' refuses to curtsy to her partner during a ballroom dancing class, "Because it signifies subservience."
* Lydia Deetz curtsies at the end of the Fox ''WesternAnimation/{{Beetlejuice}}'' opening.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones'' episode "The Return Of Stony Curtis'': Posing as Wilma's "French maid" (in Wilma's attempt to put on airs for the visiting star Stony Curtis), Betty curtsies twice.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheCatInTheHatKnowsALotAboutThat'': In "Show Me The Honey," Sally curtsies to the queen bee.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheBeatles'': During the song segment of the episode "I'm Down," George bows to a little girl, who curtsies to him in return.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Madeline}}'': In the original 1988 special, the little girls [[BreakingTheFourthWall introduce themselves to the viewer]] by saying "Bonjour" with a curtsey – all except Madeline who [[EstablishingCharacterMoment does a perky little two-handed wave instead.]] This is [[CallBack repeated]] in ''Madeline's Christmas'' when the girls greet Madame Marie.
* On ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'', Bariss Offee curtsies to Amakin and Ahsoka when she's introduced.

* Done by Samantha Sweeting in ''Literature/{{Undomestic Goddess}}''. She curtsied to Trish because she thought that was what she was supposed to do as a housekeeper. Trish decided she liked it and made her keep doing it.

A typical greeting done by a woman, it has long been considered to be a gesture of respect, though it is less common nowadays. For all variants of the curtsy, the woman bends her knees, sometimes sweeping one foot behind the other, and holding her skirt in both hands.

A typical greeting done by a female, it has long been considered to be a gesture of respect, though it is less common nowadays. For all variants of the curtsy, the female bends her knees, sometimes sweeping one foot behind the other, and holding her skirt in both hands.

Furthermore, most servants would be expected to curtsy to their masters/mistresses, and all females would do so to someone of a higher social standing, like [[RoyalBlood royalty]]. (Inverting this can cross over with KneelBeforeFrodo.) Female dancers may also curtsy at the end of a performance, or before engaging in a dance with another person. Note that for some, like TheDitz or the CuteClumsyGirl, this may be a difficult thing to do. They may be used to contrast a ProperLady who will, naturally, be an expert.

* ''TheQuintessentialQuintuplets'': [[RescueRomance After being saved]] by "Kintarou" ([[LovesMyAlterEgo who is actually Fuutarou with a blond wig]]), [[{{Tsundere}} Nino]] does this while asking him to dance with her by the bonfire.

A typical greeting done by a female, it has long been considered to be a gesture of respect, though it is less common nowadays. For all variants of the curtsy the female bends her knees, sometimes sweeping one foot behind the other, and holding her skirt in both hands.

Furthermore, most servants would be expected to curtsy to their masters/mistresses, and all females would do so to someone of a higher social standing, like [[RoyalBlood royalty.]] (Inverting this can cross over with KneelBeforeFrodo.) Female dancers may also curtsy at the end of a performance, or before engaging in a dance with another person. Note that for some, like TheDitz or the CuteClumsyGirl, this may be a difficult thing to do. They may be used to contrast a ProperLady who will, naturally, be an expert.

* In ''LightNovel/KyoKaraMaoh'' episode 85, Yuuri who's disguised as a girl, does this.

* ''[[WesternAnimation/DynomuttDogWonder Dynomutt]]'' #1 (Nov. 1977): Not only does Dynomutt's young friend (actually a villainess) Goody Twoshoes curtsy to Blue Falcon, she lifts her skirt up high enough to provide a [[PantyShot panty shot]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'', Belle [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/belle_curtsy_4557.jpg curtsys to Beast]] before they begin their DanceOfRomance, the first time she gave such a gesture of respect to him.
* In ''WesternAnimation/OliverAndCompany'', during the instrumental part of "Good Company", Jenny give a one-sided curtsy to an older lady and gentleman.

** Elsa does this when her parents go away on a trip [[spoiler: only for them to die at sea]]. This contrasts with Anna hugging them, since Elsa doesn't dare touch them for fear of hurting them with her ice powers.

* In ''Literature/DragonBones'', Ward's younger sister Ciarra only curtsies after being told so, and then she rolls her eyes before doing it - despite her living in a world where that's normal, she seems to find it silly. She's a bit of a wild child and not very interested in courtly manners. Even when she does curtsy, Ward notes she does it more like a lady-in-waiting, than a proper lady.

* Ella from ''Literature/EllaEnchanted'' is depicted as being very clumsy at the beginning, stating that "curtsies often make me fall over". Her father wishes for her to become less clumsy and more ladylike and sends her to finishing school. Ella rebels against the stern teachers at the school but eventually gives in to their teachings, until she runs away. The next time her father sees her she's much more graceful and able to do a perfect curtsy.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

** When the Queen expressly wanted to meet the woman who put so much humor in the routine, Lucy tried to curtsy as practice and couldn't get out of it. She got two stage hands to carry her to the presentation.

* A ''Series/HappyDays'' episode with a Halloween theme had Joanie, dressed as Snow White, curtsying after reciting the "mirror mirror, on the wall" poem.

* Princess Peach curtsies for King Nimbus in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG,'' a rare gesture, as she's typically the highest ranked person present in her appearances.

* Shows up in ''VideoGame/StarcraftII'' of all places. Kerrigan's NumberTwo, a Broodmother named Zagara, will occsionally perform this gesture when speaking to Kerrigan. Minus the dress-grabbing, of course, [[http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/File:Zagara_SC2-HotS_Rend2.jpg since she looks like this,]] but it's the thought that counts.

** In her [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt9vl8iAN5Q trailer]], Weiss Schnee curtsies to her audience after singing for them. This hints at her aristocratic upbringing, and is one of the few times that she shows humility [[MoralityPet of her own accord]].

Furthermore, most servants would be expected to curtsy to their masters, mistresses or to someone of a higher social standing, like [[RoyalBlood royalty.]] (Inverting this can cross over with KneelBeforeFrodo.) Female dancers may also curtsy at the end of a performance, or before engaging in a dance with another person. Note that for some, like TheDitz or the CuteClumsyGirl, this may be a difficult thing to do. They may be used to contrast a ProperLady who will, naturally, be an expert.

* ''WesternAnimation/WereBackADinosaursStory'':Cecilia curtsies when she introduces herself to the dinosaurs.

** In ''Discworld/MonstrousRegiment'', [[spoiler: Wazzer]] curtsies to the Duchess's painting, [[spoiler: even though she's [[SweetPollyOliver disguised as a boy]]]].

* In ''Disney/AliceInWonderland'', the Queen of Hearts demands that Alice curtsy whenever she addresses her.
* In ''Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast'', Belle [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/belle_curtsy_4557.jpg curtsys to Beast]] before they begin their DanceOfRomance, the first time she gave such a gesture of respect to him.
* In ''Disney/OliverAndCompany'', during the instrumental part of "Good Company", Jenny give a one-sided curtsy to an older lady and gentleman.
* ''Disney/{{Frozen}}'':

* In ''Disney/SleepingBeauty'', this is how Princess Aurora greets her parents when she meets them for the first time in almost 16 years, emphasizing her suitability as a royal princess.

Furthermore, most servants would be expected to curtsy to their masters, mistresses or to someone of a higher social standing, like [[RoyalBlood royalty.]] Female dancers may also curtsy at the end of a performance, or before engaging in a dance with another person. Note that for some, like TheDitz or the CuteClumsyGirl, this may be a difficult thing to do. They may be used to contrast a ProperLady who will, naturally, be an expert.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Madeline}}: In the original 1988 special, the little girls [[BreakingTheFourthWall introduce themselves to the viewer]] by saying "Bonjour" with a curtsey – all except Madeline who [[EstablishingCharacterMoment does a perky little two-handed wave instead.]] This is [[CallBack repeated]] in ''Madeline's Christmas'' when the girls greet Madame Marie.