Q&A for How to Curtsy

Ladies in wheelchairs can politely bob their head instead of a curtsy.

Do everything the same, just don't pull out your "skirts." Leave your arms at your sides, and do the leg motions.

You would usually curtsy to a queen, a princess, a duchess, and occasionally a lady of the court.

This is so that neither of your feet catch on the hem of your skirt and cause you to stumble.

Because if they bow, and they have a skirt on, it might look like they are sticking their behind out at someone.

In ancient Roman times, back when Rome ruled over Britain and the Isles, lower level citizens were required to be free of disease or else they would be sold into slavery. As you can imagine, STDs were quite common back in the olden days and as a precautionary measure the king would command all lower citizens to give the queen the "courtesy" of showing the queen they were free of disease before speaking with her, which involved doing a curtsy. The motion stuck.

No, there is not, but you can look up instructional curtsy videos online to help you.

No, it is not recommended.

This is still a curtsy, though it is a watered-down, lazy version of the formal gesture. If you're going to greet someone, you may as well do it right.

There is no meaning attributed to the height of the hand or the palm toward or away from someone. The curtsy is a defined move that anyone can tweak and change to a certain degree. If you include a handstand in your curtsy, then it's no longer a curtsy, but you can do it pretty much any way you like.

You won't look foolish, this is a graceful and acceptable action. Have confidence, smile and know the reason you're doing it for is a good reason. If anyone laughs, it shows their ignorance, not yours.

No. Men bow.