Is it because he's not in uniform? (I'm referring to the line of men shaking his hand. Some salute him, but most do not.)
"My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the Whale Rider."
Probably because most of them are not wearing hats. In the Royal Navy, as with the rest of the British armed forces, one does not salute, or return a salute unless you're wearing some kind of headgear. Or indoors/between decks. The exception to not saluting between decks is if you're reporting a flat or compartment for rounds (inspection) or some other formal occasion.
Whit sad old loser'd be thick enough to don thon get-up?
I didn't know that. I sort of figured that it was kind of a "Well, we all came through the sinking as equals, so now that ship has gone, our parting will be as it was in the water - just lucky human beings glad to have drawn the long straws in that lottery of death".
I'm sure you're correct, but I prefer my idea, and wonder if beyond the technicality of the uniform/headgear issue, we were being invited to see it that way too.
The crew members who DO salute are indeed wearing headgear; all with headgear salute and everyone who does not salute does not wear headgear.
"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence" Carl Sagan
Imagine how gnikcuf annoying it is to see portrayals of British military forces in films, saluting without hats on as if they're Americans; the horror, the horror.
Marlon, Claudia & Dimby the cats 1989-2010. Clio the cat, July 1997 - 1 May 2016.
When HMS Kelly had been sunk off Crete and Dickie Mountbatten was swimming towards a life raft, a petty officer is reported to have said to Capt 'D'"
Amazing how the scum always floats to the top, isn't it, sir?
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