so now our President is bowing to another foreign leader

[retro]

How low will he go? Obama gives Japan's Emperor Akihito a wow bow (Updated with video, pic) | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times

Didn't he learn his lesson when he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia? Didn't we fight a way in 1776 so we wouldn't have to bow to a King (or Emperor) ever again? He's not showing respect, he's showing subservience. But then again, that's been the whole crux of his Presidency thus far; the Obama apologize for America tour. He urges people not to rush to judgement over an Muslim terrorist in our military, while he himself said that an American Law Enforcement agency acted "stupidly" when they arrested a personal friend of his. The man is a total and complete joke. At this point I'd almost rather have GWB back in the White House, because at least his handlers prevented him from doing this kind of stupid shit all the time. Hell, I'd take Clinton or Bush 41 over this moron.

Change we can believe in, anybody but Obama 2012. (wasn't that basically Obama's campaign strategy in 2008, anybody but Bush).

 

[Zorak]

I think he's showing respect. What you do when you visit other peoples country.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

This is a ridiculous point to bring up. I'm sorry, but if you're going to criticize a man, criticize him for something like health care, taxing, etc. I don't like Obama much, but it's stupid to attack him for everything possible like this.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I don't know if you have ever met Asian people, but one of my closest friends is Asain, and I have to tip toe around her family. I'm one of the few friends allowed over simply because everyone else won't swallow their damn pride, bow, say "Thank You" and nothing else, and always stand when adults come into the room. It's not me giving them subservience it's giving them respect and being apart of their culture. It's what geusts 'do' in their home and in their country, just a cultural thing. And for once the Asains are probably saying "Wow, an American not acting like a dick who owns the world and has the only cultural value."

 

[Dakota Jim]

To go to a foreign country and show respect for their traditions and customs has nothing to do with subordinating oneself it is only good diplomacy.

 

[retro]

I think he's showing respect. What you do when you visit other peoples country.

The President of the United States should under no circumstances be bowing to the leader of another country. Especially not a bow where you bend at the waist and don't maintain eye contact. You can nod your head, show respect, and not exhibit subservience as Obama did in this case.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

The President of the United States should under no circumstances be bowing to the leader of another country. Especially not a bow where you bend at the waist and don't maintain eye contact. You can nod your head, show respect, and not exhibit subservience as Obama did in this case.

Did you bow by bending at the neck? lol

 

[retro]

I don't know if you have ever met Asian people, but one of my closest friends is Asain, and I have to tip toe around her family. I'm one of the few friends allowed over simply because everyone else won't swallow their damn pride, bow, say "Thank You" and nothing else, and always stand when adults come into the room. It's not me giving them subservience it's giving them respect and being apart of their culture. It's what geusts 'do' in their home and in their country, just a cultural thing. And for once the Asains are probably saying "Wow, an American not acting like a dick who owns the world and has the only cultural value."

It doesn't particularly matter. If it was about showing respect, shouldn't the Japanese Emperor have showed respect to the President of the United States by bowing to him as well?

 

[Dakota Jim]

the president of the united states should under no circumstances be bowing to the leader of another country. Especially not a bow where you bend at the waist and don't maintain eye contact. You can nod your head, show respect, and not exhibit subservience as obama did in this case.

bull!!!!!!

 

[Goat Whisperer]

It doesn't particularly matter. If it was about showing respect, shouldn't the Japanese Emperor have showed respect to the President of the United States by bowing to him as well?

I don't know Japanese culture well enough to judge.

 

[retro]

a look at bowing...

Bows are the traditional greeting in East Asia, particularly in Korea and Japan. However, bowing is not reserved only for greetings. Bowing is a gesture of respect. Different bows are used for apologies and gratitude, to express different emotions, humility, sincerity, remorse, or deference, and in various traditional arts and religious ceremonies.

Basic bows originate at the waist and are performed with the back straight and the hands at the sides (for men) or clasped in front (for women), and with the eyes down. Generally, the longer and deeper the bow, the stronger the emotion or the greater the difference in social standing.

Bows can be generally divided into three main types: informal, formal, and very formal. Informal bows are made at about a fifteen degree angle and more formal bows at about thirty degrees. Very formal bows are deeper. In extreme cases a kneeling bow is performed, which may be so deep that the forehead touches the floor.There is an extremely complex etiquette surrounding bowing, including the length and depth of bow, and the appropriate response. For example, if the other person maintains his or her bow for longer than expected (generally about two or three seconds), it is polite to bow again, upon which one may receive another bow in return, often leading to an exchange of progressively lighter bows.

 

[Zorak]

This thread fulfils all the stereotypes of the arrogant american

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Bows are the traditional greeting in East Asia, particularly in Korea and Japan. However, bowing is not reserved only for greetings. Bowing is a gesture of respect. Different bows are used for apologies and gratitude, to express different emotions, humility, sincerity, remorse, or deference, and in various traditional arts and religious ceremonies.

Basic bows originate at the waist and are performed with the back straight and the hands at the sides (for men) or clasped in front (for women), and with the eyes down. Generally, or the greater the difference in social standing.

Bows can be generally divided into three main types: informal, formal, and very formal. Informal bows are made at about a fifteen degree angle and more formal bows at about thirty degrees. Very formal bows are deeper. In extreme cases a kneeling bow is performed, which may be so deep that the forehead touches the floor.There is an extremely complex etiquette surrounding bowing, including the length and depth of bow, and the appropriate response. For example, if the other person maintains his or her bow for longer than expected (generally about two or three seconds), it is polite to bow again, upon which one may receive another bow in return, often leading to an exchange of progressively lighter bows.

Wow your over exagerating. "The longer and deeper the bow, the stronger the emotion" So he could have been simply showing strong emotion? Not necessarily saying "You have a higher social standing"

What's wrong with Humility it's simply the "quality or condition of being humble"

And you would expet a bow between diplomats NOT to be very formal???

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I know it must be hard to deal with the idea of having a humble president who is willing to respect other cultures

 

[retro]

I know it must be hard to deal with the idea of having a humble president who is willing to respect other cultures

There's a huge difference between respecting cultures and showing deference. Obama did the latter in this case, just as he did with the Saudi King in April.

On another note, did you honestly just call Obama humble? That's about the funniest thing I've heard all morning so far. He's been described by Sarkozy (the French president) as being both incredibly naive and arrogant. I could use a lot of adjectives to describe Obama, but humble wouldn't be anywhere near that list.

 

[Lord Stanley]

i somehow think if you discovered that if you discovered that Obama wiped his arse with his right hand you would call foul - he is merely showing respect to a foreign leader in a manner which I am sure he considers respectful to his host

 

[Alien Allen]

Never seen a humble Narcissist

 

[Dana]

I have to wonder where you your line of respect lies for other cultures besides your own... I see no wrong doing here. I think you need a dose of reality and dignity.

 

[dt3]

Reactions like this to utter non-issues make conservatives look stupid.

 

[Tim]

Never seen a humble Narcissist

Then I guess you are wrong about him being a narcissist.