In related news President Obama brushed his teeth this morning and didn't squeeze the toothpaste from the end of the tube...... Come on RTS can the man do anything right with you?

Is there anything you'll admit he does wrong?

The article simply points out how green he is on protocol. You can try to argue against that if you like, but you'd be wrong.

I don't expect Obama supporters to admit that Obama has that goal.

 

I don't believe in many hogwash conspiracies, including this one.

So, is the WH saying this was a bow and still saying that it wasn't to the King of Saudi Arabia?

 

And curiously, do other countries show any respect to our leader with formal gestures like this?

 

If the bow is a show of respect, did the Emperor bow to Obama?

 

In my best Ben Stein voice,

 

Anyone? Anyone?

I don't believe in many hogwash conspiracies, including this one.

I agree where was all of this righteous indignation when President Bush II was holding hands with the king of Saudi Arabia?

I agree where was all of this righteous indignation when President Bush II was holding hands with the king of Saudi Arabia?

 

That was different, we needed the oil.

If President Obama actually walked on water, there would be some on here that would say, "Well it WAS heavy water.":D

Then you should also know that social status plays an important part in how much one bows and how long one bows. The person of lower status is expected to bow lower and longer. You probably also know that bows which approach 90 degrees (like Obama's) are rare and are often done to show extreme humility after committing some transgression.

 

Yep. :thumb:

I agree where was all of this righteous indignation when President Bush II was holding hands with the king of Saudi Arabia?

 

Hey, at least he wasn't being subservient in that case, only "friendly".

It seems to me that a plant manager would typically hold a higher status than a salesman so it seems normal to me for the salesman to bow to the plant manager. Therefore, using a situation where status would dictate a bow to refute my comments concerning bowing after committing a transgression is less than convincing. It also seems to me that if you had just been of great help to your plant manger in an emergency situation that you had at that instant an elevated status. Therefore, for him to bow to you would also seem appropriate. (I am assuming that you work for the plant manager and not that he works for you.) It also seems to me that you probably already knew this but chose not to expose that knowledge in your post.

 

Finally, saying that if this wasn't Obama this wouldn't be news misses the point. The point is that no US president except Obama would have made such a gesture. No president previous to Obama has made the conscious effort to produce images showing the President in a position of weakness relative to other world leaders. The plain simple fact is that Obama has made it an objective of his to reduce the power and prestige of the United States.

 

You don't really believe that, do you?

I agree where was all of this righteous indignation when President Bush II was holding hands with the king of Saudi Arabia?

:lol: Maybe not on here, but a much bigger deal was made of that then will be made of Obama's bow.

That was different, we needed the oil.

:laugh:

So I guess when I see a salesman of Japanese decent bow to our plant manager that meant he committed some transgression? Also the times I helped my plant manager and administration manager in a emergency situation and they bowed to me that meant the same or their status is lower than mine?

 

If it wasn't Obama all of this wouldn't even be news.

 

Bowing is normal Japanese greeting. Not just formally, but informally as well. If you did not reciprocate by bowing back...well, there is a reason we are called 'ugly Americans'.

 

From the following URL:

 

http://www.shi*oryu.org/heritage/bowing.htm

 

(replace * with a t to access URL)...

 

The standing bow is divided into five "unofficial" types:

 

1. the cursory bow - Bow to an angle of five degrees, it's basic nod, "Hello", used to convey an extremely simple (impersonal) greeting.

 

2. the shallow bow - Bow to an angle of fifteen degrees. This is used for common salutations, "Good Day" greeting. It is slightly more formal than the cursory bow.

 

3. the ordinary bow - Bow to an angle of thirty degrees. This is the most common, respectful bow to be used especially when indicating appreciation.

 

4. the politest bow - Bow to an angle of forty-five degrees. This bow is used to convey very deep respect or to expressing extreme gratitude or an apology.

 

5. the ceremonial bow - Bow to an angle of ninety degrees. This deepest of bows is reserved for ceremonial occasions such as a visit to a shrine or Buddhist temple.

 

Bows 2 - 3 would be expected and normal between individuals and leaders. They do NOT imply apology or transgression. Clearly BHO was in well into the 4 - 5 catagory.

 

Since one of Japan's largest companies calls Kentucky home we all should be more up on this common cultural practice. As well as the use of 'san' written and spoken speach.

Bowing is normal Japanese greeting. Not just formally, but informally as well. If you did not reciprocate by bowing back...well, there is a reason we are called 'ugly Americans'.

 

From the following URL:

 

http://www.shi*oryu.org/heritage/bowing.htm

 

(replace * with a t to access URL)...

 

The standing bow is divided into five "unofficial" types:

 

1. the cursory bow - Bow to an angle of five degrees, it's basic nod, "Hello", used to convey an extremely simple (impersonal) greeting.

 

2. the shallow bow - Bow to an angle of fifteen degrees. This is used for common salutations, "Good Day" greeting. It is slightly more formal than the cursory bow.

 

3. the ordinary bow - Bow to an angle of thirty degrees. This is the most common, respectful bow to be used especially when indicating appreciation.

 

4. the politest bow - Bow to an angle of forty-five degrees. This bow is used to convey very deep respect or to expressing extreme gratitude or an apology.

 

5. the ceremonial bow - Bow to an angle of ninety degrees. This deepest of bows is reserved for ceremonial occasions such as a visit to a shrine or Buddhist temple.

 

Bows 2 - 3 would be expected and normal between individuals and leaders. They do NOT imply apology or transgression. Clearly BHO was in well into the 4 - 5 catagory.

 

Since one of Japan's largest companies calls Kentucky home we all should be more up on this common cultural practice. As well as the use of 'san' written and spoken speach.

Thank you for posting this. Yes, I have learned to bow in response. By the way, I'm pretty good looking!