[Matthew Ota]

Conservatives in the USA are upset that Obama bowed to the Emperor of Japan on his recent visit:

AFP article

Many say he was just following protocol by honoring a Japanese tradition of greeting.

When I was in Japan I bowed to nobody as I viewed myself as an American and used the western handshake instead.

[greenhorn]

I guess the problem was the US Presidents don't "bow down" (abase themselves) to other powers.......

[sasa]

I think it's pretty rude to go to other countries and expect others to greet you the way you'd expect to be greeted in your own country.
Surely if you can't speak the language/don't know the culture etc. the least you can do is find out how to greet people, and maybe even thank them in their language.
Astonishingly enough, people tend to react to you better because they don't think you're an arrogant pr*ck.
If you can't make even this tiny effort (it takes all of 5 second because they usually even have it in the inflight magazine) then why bother imposing yourself on their country?

[Yooko Yoke]

I admired what President Obama did.
It showed that he is a good Politician that play-along with the culture of the country that he visited.

On the picture, Emperor shaked his hand (which is not a part of the Japanese's tradition) while he bowed his body towards Obama and vice versa. It showed good gestures from both sides, because "BOW" represent RESPECT in the Japanese's culture.

In Japanese's culture the younger one should bow lower than the older person. I guess this showed how well Obama re-present the U.S., to show that he is not come from the ignorant and proud country as what some of the nations in this world viewed the U.S. This might bring good impact for the future relationship between the U.S. and other nations.

Correct me if I am wrong, but he is also the 1st president whom most of the countries in this world cheered when he got his position as the U.S. president.

[AlexanderMinoru]

I think Nixon bowed to the Japanese emperor too, but it wasn't a big deal since his bow wasn't as deep and he wasn't as black. But wasn't there a similar outrage in some American news when he bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi-Arabia? Hm, I think Obama's bow wasn't nessecary but it was ok, since he acknowledged the Japanese customs. I also think bowing to King Abdullah was less nessecary.

[doorknobdeity]

Why was the Saudi king less deserving?

Also, there was a huge clamor from the right when the Obamas weren't sufficiently obsequious toward Gordon Brown and Queen Elizabeth. The lesson being, I guess, don't embarrass America in front of yellows or browns, but God help you if you're too uppity with whites.

[hapacheese]

Some greasy game developer in Japan, during our first meeting, offered his hand for a handshake *right* after scratching his junk with it. I quickly switched to Japanese mode and offered a bow and a "hajimemashite." Totally worth it.

[AlexanderMinoru]

I think his bowing to King Abdullah was just for the sake of bowing and not for the sake of honoring the country's customs.

[hapacheese]

AlexanderMinoru, on 19 November 2009 - 09:35 AM, said:

I think his bowing to King Abdullah was just for the sake of bowing and not for the sake of honoring the country's customs.

That's a bit speculative, but at the end of the day, does it really matter? Nobody is questioning the US' strength and to for Americans to be worried about Obama appearing as "weak" simply because he bowed simply makes us look like we *are* weak and are just afraid that someone else will find out. What was that quote? Speak softly and carry a big stick?

[AlexanderMinoru]

Bowing isn't as much a part of Arabian culture as it is part of the Japanese.

[hapacheese]

Actually, in Arabic culture, bowing *is* a sign of respect (although it is usually accompanied by a gesture of the hand, such as touching your forehead, or placing your right hand over your heart, but that last one is more of a "thank you," I believe). Sure, it's not nearly as often as is seen in Japanese culture, but it is still a recognized social gesture.

Regardless of that fact, however, how is either one a problem? I have seen many, many American businessmen in Japan not get the bow right. They will always bow too deeply or too shallow. Some forget to bow at all. Japanese businessmen (and I assume politicians) who have had dealings at the international level will understand that a bow from a foreigner is not the same as a bow from another Japanese - it is a gesture of friendship and respect to the person and their culture.

And as an aside, America should be humble in our dealings with the outside world. There is no doubt to our military strength and our political influence. How is it a negative that we stop trying to be the arrogant bully?

[ninjew]

Republicans need to stop shitting themselves over this. It was just a bow and he was being respectful of Japanese tradition.
I have a bit more of a problem with the bow to King Abdullah.

[troyakira]

hapacheese, on 19 November 2009 - 11:32 AM, said:

Some greasy game developer in Japan, during our first meeting, offered his hand for a handshake *right* after scratching his junk with it. I quickly switched to Japanese mode and offered a bow and a "hajimemashite." Totally worth it.

holy shit that's funny

[greenhorn]

I suppose the Saudi thing is easily explainable....
The infidels are there to make sure the House of Saud stays in power, the infidels get their oil.....

[OKo_ne]

Why is it that Japanese-Americans haven't posted that Obama, our PRESIDENT, who also represents Americans of Japanese, is showing respect to an institution of our ancestry? I've been around plenty of Americans of Asian descent and even though I'm Halvsie, I still greet other Asian-Americans with a bow rather than a handshake since it is typical of Asian countries, AND more hygenic than a handshake.
It's a basic greeting, like a handshake. Like there are different languages to toast in... saying Kanpai, Cheers, Salute...

[OKo_ne]

I replied why I did because in Asiatic countries, such as Japan, A bow is a common greeting...amongst ALL people (or at least a majority).

In European countries, a bow, is only done in the presence of royalty.

[Julia Laurant]

President Obama did the right thing. He honored and respected the opposite party's traditions and culture. I respect his move.

Holding onto his pride as "AMERICAN" does not gain him anything - does that mean the world have to adhere to the handshake?
Isn't that just arrogance in plain sight?
And I am sure he is aware just how much the Japanese appreciate that people do know their culture - and they can then feel more relaxed being around foreigners.

I'm sorry but I have always believed the bow to be a much more respectable and more formal thing to do. Never liked handshakes - You never know what the hell that person has done with his hands. Its not hygienic at all - Where did that thing about coughing into your elbow went to, Americans? rofl....................

Conservatives need to know their history I believe. The Emperor of Japan happens to be the OLDEST surviving royalty in the world.
Sometimes, one can get too filled with their former days of glory back in WW2, they forget the most basic of human generosity.

[73bonneville]

I'm with Sasa....wtf's the big deal either way?! On the one hand (so to speak) he's an American, and we shake hands when greeting one another, on the other, he's also meeting a foreign dignitary(?) but me being an ignorant f*ck, I don't know the protocol, but I don't see any big f&*%ing deal about a bow.

[greenhorn]

It's really strange how some people with an agenda, can whip them themsleves into a lather at the slightest thing...



Here's some images of Bush bowing and holding hands with some dudes in robes....

When in Rome.....

http://images.google...ved=0CBsQsAQwAw

[Matthew Ota]

I did no bowing in Japan because I am a US Citizen, bound by American culture. Japan views itself as a "Westernized Democracy" so it should be no big deal to use a handshake instead of a bow.