--- title: "Why these British soldiers never say ‘yes’" date: "2020-08-20" modified: "2020-10-30" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-culture/british-soldiers-never-say-yes/" categories: - "Army" - "History" --- # Why these British soldiers never say ‘yes’ ![]() Much of the world knows the Grenadier Guards from their roles as formal guards in London and at Windsor Castle. Their distinctive ceremonial uniforms are a symbol of the British Crown. They are also one of the world's best light infantry units who joined the British Army in the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But while they left their distinctive bearskin hats at home, they did bring many traditions to desert wars with them. --- ![]() "Make way for the Queen's Guard." One of those traditions surrounds saying the word "yes." Apparently, members of the Grenadier Guards find the affirmative to be redundant. According to one guardsman in a 1989 BBC story called the "Weird and Wonderful Traditions of the Grenadier Guards," saying yes is redundant as a guardsman always obeys his orders. The only alternative would be saying "no," something a guardsman would never do. So in the Grenadier Guards, they simply respond to direct orders with "sir." The Grenadiers' unquestioned obedience doesn't limit their ability to communicate. According to a ranking Guardsman of the time, they can still pass different meanings through the word using different tones and inflections. If you're given a bad assignment, you just say "sir." It doesn't mean you're happy about it, but you accept it. If you're told something you simply just can't believe, you might say "*sirrrrrr*?" Or maybe you disagree with it entirely and don't like it one bit. A monotone "sir" is an acceptable response. Tune in to the above video at around 6:15 to hear the Guards tell it. ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()