How low will he go? Obama gives Japan's Emperor Akihito a wow bow (Updated with video, pic)

How low will he go? Obama gives Japan's Emperor Akihito a wow bow (Updated with video, pic)

latimesblogs.latimes.com

A brief news video has been added below, showing the greeting in this photograph. Contrary to some claims, the video shows no reciprocal bow by the emperor, who traditionally bows to no one. And we've added a file photo from 2007 of Vice President Dick Cheney greeting the Japanese Emperor in the same door way in a different fashion.)

How low will the new American president go for the world's royalty?
This photo will get Democrat President Obama a lot of approving nods in Japan this weekend, especially among the older generation of Japanese who still pay attention to the royal family livi

(visit the link for the full news article)

Does this matter ? Does this bother anyone to have there leader bowing to Royalty ? Is this , the bowing president , the only president that has bowed to royalty while holding office , or were there others that have done so but nothing was made of it ?

I could be wrong but I think I can remember Presidents bowing to the Pope on occasion , no ?



latimesblogs.latimes.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Seriously showing respect to someone, anyone as a matter of fact could also be taken in bad light is quiet disturbing. What a sad article.

reply to post by Max_TO
[moNo president has bowed to the pope I believe. Only one of them i think was roman catholic and that was JFK

reply to post by December_Rain


I know...someone showing respect to a different culture. Ahh the damn Beelzebub incarnate, lefty socialist commie baby eating goonie that he is. There are more valid things to bash obama about...this is not one of them sadly.

Originally posted by December_Rain
Seriously showing respect to someone, anyone as a matter of fact could also be taken in bad light is quiet disturbing. What a sad article.

I guess he didn't respect the Queen of England then...

Who cares as long as he is telling them that american troops are finally leaving japan, and going home and leave that poor country alone.

he can bow and apologize as much as he wants
But not for long:
Twenty Ten by Lloyd Marcus

www.youtube.com...

If the United States was still "on top" then this would be considered respectful and lauded as such. But since the US is on the verge of completely going under, this will be viewed as further groveling by the current administration.

He was obviously bowing because the emperor is one of the high officials of the intergalactic reptilian league. If he didn't bow to our reptilian overlords, they would have sucked his brains out... AND THEN WHERE WOULD WE BE?!?!

HUH???? TELL ME !!!!!

WE'D HAVE BIDEN AS PRESIDENT!!!!!

Originally posted by Max_TO


Does this matter ? Does this bother anyone to have there leader bowing to Royalty ? Is this , the bowing president , the only president that has bowed to royalty while holding office , or were there others that have done so but nothing was made of it ?

George Washington never shook hands he always bowed.
I'm not sure how many royal people / or High clergy he met.

Bowing is intrinsically tied into Japanese culture. One bows to another out of respect to a person. There is nothing wrong with that gesture given the cultural context to that particular form of endearment. Now, the President bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia or the Queen of England, that is another story, because I feel it has no bearing in terms of gestures with those particular royals, but Japan, perhaps? I bet even Obama removed his shoes before entering their residence, because you do not want to enter a Japanese person's home without removing your shoes. Big sign of disrespect! I can affirm that premise, from personal experience, because my sister-in-law is Japanese and there was an occasion I forgot to remove my shoes, and she made sure I never made that mistake again. However, that is another story.

Essentially, it is up to the President, whether it be the current sitting President or another down the road how they choose to greet world leaders. As long is it not perceived as being subservient to a particular monarch or world leader, and that it is in context with the cultural norms of the given country being visited, I see no problem. In terms of Japan, it is acceptable given their history with such a gesture. Anyway, we have other things to toil our minds over at present, besides the President, and his greetings the world over. Just my two cents on the story.

[edit on 14-11-2009 by Jakes51]

Bows of apology tend to be deeper and last longer than other types of bow. They
tend to occur with frequency during the apology, generally at about 45 degrees
with the head lowered and lasting for at least the count of three, sometimes
longer. The depth, frequency and duration of the bow increases with the sincerity
of the apology and the severity of the offence.

This little clip I got from: picturetokyo.com/en/culture/bowing.html
it could be taken as a submissive bow.

its called: RESPECT.

why would he NOT show respect to another world leader? lol why is everyone so negative about everything here

reply to post by Max_TO


The guy is paying respects to a dynasty far older and greater than his, he did that properly with proper manners and decorum instead of people slagging him off they should be praising the fact that he isn't the usual ignorant "I am american, i am the best" type of president.

The way Obama is running up the debt in this country he better get used to bending over for Asian men. You don't think those Chinese are going to loan money to our broke asses withouth some servicing first, do you?

More like "can I please have some more sir"

Anyhoo why should bowing be seen as anything but following a local custom?

Personaly for me respect is earned not given but Barry is expected to put on a bit of a show.

This bow was clearly lower than that of a customary greeting in Japan. Notice how the emperor bows to no one, not even a reciprocal bow to our nations highest ranking official. I think a firm hand shake and a casual bow would have been just fine.

Obama appears to be preparing himself for a rectal exam in this instance. Who is Obama's protocol czar?

reply to post by Jakes51



you are completely right.
Obama is this and that blah,blah, but he has manners. and i respect him gor that.
first US president that isn't hillbilly after long time

reply to post by jibeho

Obama appears to be preparing himself for a rectal exam in this instance. Who is Obama's protocol czar?

Did you say who is Obama's protocol czar or who is his proctocoligical czar? I must say that he is a great bower. He mut have been practicing for years and years to be that good. Do they have a prize for bowing?

[edit on 14-11-2009 by HotSauce]