Japanese Mortified By Obama's Bow

[Warph]

When our Allies are embarrassed then you know there is something afoot. It's one thing to show cultural respect but too much Kowtowing makes one look weak. One could only imagine the type of groveling that went on behind closed doors in Beijing.

ABC's Jake Tapper reports..... http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/11/on-president-obamas-bow-to-the-japanese-emperor-an-academic-friend-writes-that-both-the-left-and-the-right-are-wrong.html ......that at least one Japanese newspaper is not printing the picture of the president's mortifying bow because the Japanese are embarrassed by his behavior.  A scholar of traditional Japan tells Mr. Tapper, "The bow... did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms... The last thing the Japanese want or need is a weak-looking American president."

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread520017/pg1

[Diane Amberg]

Just goes to show that many countries have liberals and conservatives and can get just as silly over " body positioning" as we do. There are people out there starving to death and we're worried about whether the President bowed correctly? In modern times a good guest tries to be polite and a good host overlooks little errors in protocol.

[Varmit]

Look, it is real simple, he shouldn't have bowed at all.  I don't give a damn about his personal feelings when it comes to bending over for the leader of another country, he is supposed to be representing America, and America doesn't bow to anyone. 

[pamsback]

[Sarah]

I think there's a difference between a custom, as it is the Arab's custom to kiss on greeting and a bow which is a sign of submission.  When you have a country that is an ally like Japan, the last thing they want is a country showing weakness.

[srkruzich]

Just goes to show that many countries have liberals and conservatives and can get just as silly over " body positioning" as we do. There are people out there starving to death and we're worried about whether the President bowed correctly? In modern times a good guest tries to be polite and a good host overlooks little errors in protocol.

A president does not show any form of subservience to any other leader.  It is a sign of weakness and submission.  That is a major problem.   To do so sends a message to those who would attack us that we are weak and spineless.  

The world is NOT a good polite host, and the world does not overlook such (as you say) Minor errors.  YOu can bet Iran, alqueda, Russia, and a host of other countries will use it to their advantage and they do not have our nations best interest at heart.

[srkruzich]

Ok pam? whats the point?  This is a custom, not subservience.

[pamsback]

My point is BOWING is a CUSTOM and a sign of respect in Japan. Kind of like CURTSYING to the Queen or bowing to the King of whatever is a CUSTOM. Kind of like makin a mountain out of a molehill is a custom on this forum.

Seeing Bush swappin spit with the leader of another country that looks down it's nose at us didn't do it for me kinda like seeing Obama bowin to the japanese ain't doin it for yall.

Does that explain it good enough?

[srkruzich]

My point is BOWING is a CUSTOM and a sign of respect in Japan. Kind of like CURTSYING to the Queen or bowing to the King of whatever is a CUSTOM. Kind of like makin a mountain out of a molehill is a custom on this forum.

Seeing Bush swappin spit with the leader of another country that looks down it's nose at us didn't do it for me kinda like seeing Obama bowin to the japanese ain't doin it for yall.

Does that explain it good enough?

No bowing is only done by subjects to their master.  It is not a custom, it is done to show subservience.
You need to  look it up.  It is only done in nations that have kings and emperors and it is only done by the kings and emperors subjects to show servitude and allegience to their king or emperor.

I'll guarantee you one thing, you won't ever find a real American bowing to anyone.

[Diane Amberg]

We do not dip our flag as it passes by for anybody for any reason.The world knows that. If that ever changes, that could be seen as weakness, I agree. But I can't get in a flap over ANY President doing a bow of respect at a first time greeting of a foreign dignitary, especially in their own country. Some people must not have enough to do if they sit there with a score board. Seems petty to me.