You become President and you too would be criticized for a low bow. The lower and longer the bow represents subordinate social status.AND?
If I went to Germany, I'd offer a firm handshake.
If I went to the Middle East, I would hold the other person's hand.
If I went to Japan, I would give a polite bow.
My MSS instructor (Japanese exchange officer) would bow because the Japanese military does not salute in doors. That didn't mean he was groveling to the students. He was giving the equivalent of a return salute.
Years (and years) ago I witnessed two Iranian male military exchange students straddling a stool together, quizzed an lab instructor on what was up... he said it's customary and not frowned upon since they have their marriages arranged for them, sooo.... I doubt if I would hold another Muslims hand anytime soon.If I went to the Middle East, I would hold the other person's hand.
Until now....As a former advidsor for JUSMAG we were all conditioned for differences. Males holding hands on the street was one of the first, males not holding hands with women was the second. We were "in country" and it was a different culture. We adapted and respected the values of the country we were assigned to. In Thailand I would give a respectful "wai" to a senior Thai in any civilian situation and salute him if he was in uniform. In Japan I would politely bow while greeting a senior person and again salute if he was in uniform. I remember in NKP when I came back from out in the boonies there were some Thai Officers leaving after inspecting the site as I was walking into the compound. As they were walking out I steped to the side of the path and saluted. They burst out laughing. They had never been saluted by an American. They were Thai Majors and Colonels and had never recieved the respect due them. We may be cultural morons but the POTUS does not bow or kowtow to any foreign leader.
As a former advidsor for JUSMAG we were all conditioned for differences. Males holding hands on the street was one of the first, males not holding hands with women was the second. We were "in country" and it was a different culture. We adapted and respected the values of the country we were assigned to. In Thailand I would give a respectful "wai" to a senior Thai in any civilian situation and salute him if he was in uniform. In Japan I would politely bow while greeting a senior person and again salute if he was in uniform. I remember in NKP when I came back from out in the boonies there were some Thai Officers leaving after inspecting the site as I was walking into the compound. As they were walking out I steped to the side of the path and saluted. They burst out laughing. They had never been saluted by an American. They were Thai Majors and Colonels and had never recieved the respect due them. We may be cultural morons but the POTUS does not bow or kowtow to any foreign leader.
Great post. And here's a link to the photo of President Nixon in 1971 in Alaska bowing to the Emperor of Japan, Hirohito http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l?imgurl=5c8f4325f5d81345&q=hirohito%20source:life&prev=/images?q=hirohito+source:life&ndsp=12&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&sa=N&start=12&um=1 ... note each leader is bowing to each other at a 45 degree angle which is considered proper protocol.
Maybe President Obama didn't practice his bow and got the angle incorrect, he looks very awkward in the photos ... I bet he has a few other things on his mind these days.
Nixon is at a 45 degree angle in that picture??? lol
Looks more like an 85 degree angle and he's not lower than the other leader, it's more off a head nod.
Yup, Obama has a lot of things on his mind lately like: what a waste of time it was to leave the Country for the 8th time on an apology tour while his AG is supposedly making illegal discussions and policy for him all the while the Country is mired down in a ridiculous Health Care debate, that most Americans don't want, they want jobs!
Here is Obama at 8 degrees:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/comments_blog/2009/11/obama-bows-to-japan-emperor-akihito.html
Nixon is at a 45 degree angle in that picture??? lol
Looks more like an 85 degree angle and he's not lower than the other leader, it's more off a head nod.
Yup, Obama has a lot of things on his mind lately like: what a waste of time it was to leave the Country for the 8th time on an apology tour while his AG is supposedly making illegal discussions and policy for him all the while the Country is mired down in a ridiculous Health Care debate, that most Americans don't want, they want jobs!
Here is Obama at 8 degrees:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/comments_blog/2009/11/obama-bows-to-japan-emperor-akihito.html
I hear Obama's got a lot of brush to clear over the holidays ....
caroline this flew right over my head would you care to explain please
It was a (somewhat rude) reference to the amount of time GWB spent clearing brush instead of traveling to visit other heads of state. And I didn't realize you were so short.
I think President Bush was taking care of problems in the US where obama jets to ___________ fill in the blank, ignoring domestic problems hoping they will just go away.
I'm not that short, I was setting down
caroline:
For Thanksgiving I think obama will be in Turkey. (bad awful I just couldn't resist)
It was a (somewhat rude) reference to the amount of time GWB spent clearing brush instead of travelling to visit other heads of state. And I didn't realize you were so short.
uh huh.
.... it would be nice for him to be in either country visiting the soldiers over Thanksgiving, the most American of holidays.