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How low will he go? Obama gives Japan's Emperor Akihito a wow bow

Renae

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How low will he go? Obama gives Japan's Emperor Akihito a wow bow | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times

Yes, that's right, he bows, to kings and emperors. The man disgraces the office of the President, and our country.
 
Arch Enemy said:
this man is a public servant...
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HE's the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND HE BOWS TO NO ONE.

43 OTHER President's understood the symbolism that this entails.

This one doesn't... or he does and is sending a message.

Disagraceful
 
MrVicchio said:
HE's the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND HE BOWS TO NO ONE.

43 OTHER President's understood the symbolism that this entails.

This one doesn't... or he does and is sending a message.

Disagraceful
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A symbol of respect?

You do realize in Japan you bow to show respect, not complacency. Stop worrying about symbols, and worry about what the Office is actually doing.

No more wool cloth for your eyes, sir.
 
I'm sorry, America doesn't bow, we don't tip our flag, we don't show subservience to others, we are equals, not second to.

I guess to people that have no Pride in America, this is how it should be...

Obama's a disgrace, and won't get a second term. Americans want a leader, not a spineless appeaser.
 
Arch Enemy said:
A symbol of respect?

You do realize in Japan you bow to show respect, not complacency. Stop worrying about symbols, and worry about what the Office is actually doing.

No more wool cloth for your eyes, sir.
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You don't get it do you?

Respect would be to treat the Emperor as an equal, not a superior.

But these deeper meanings are too deep for you I guess.
 
MrVicchio said:
HE's the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND HE BOWS TO NO ONE.
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Bowing in Japanese culture is the equivalent of a handshake in ours. Chill out and save your e-rage for things that Obama does that are actually negative and that actually matter
 
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MrVicchio said:
You don't get it do you?

Respect would be to treat the Emperor as an equal, not a superior.

But these deeper meanings are too deep for you I guess.
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You don't understand the Japanese culture.
 
This is stupid. I took a class in asian culture in HS. Bowing is essentially their equivalent of shaking hands and is especially important in royalty. It's just respectful that we conduct ourselves by their standards when on their turf. This isn't some European wanna-be superpower, this is japan. They see us as polite when we bow, not weak.

The only problem is that Obama did it the wrong way, still, the emperor gives him an E for effort.
 
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America is rude?

Yes, that might be true.

Anyone remember when Jimmy Carter kiss the Queen Mother? That was a big faux paus and she was highly offended.
 
MrVicchio said:
You don't get it do you?

Respect would be to treat the Emperor as an equal, not a superior.

But these deeper meanings are too deep for you I guess.
Click to expand...

If this was Europe, you would most likely be right, but this is asia, and an ally to boot. There is no superiority with bowing, and we gain in respect from them when we do.

Hell, the emporer held his hand out first, showing that he didn't even expect him to bow. If he knew, the emporer would have bowed himself, showing equality.
 
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I believe 'kow tow' is the proper term for this action.....:3oops:
 
He should have taken a dump on his carpet just to remind him who's boss.
 
America will be doing a lot of bowing and begging, so get use to it!
 
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jamesrage said:
You are aware that in many countries people bow to each other. Usually the younger person bows down a littler farther than the older person bowing. This is one of the things they taught us in Korea when I was stationed over there.
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No Mr. V doesn't. He thinks that Obama was slowly becoming Akihito's servant.
 
MrVicchio said:
I'm sorry, America doesn't bow
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When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Volumes could be written on this aspect of Japanese etiquette alone. There are many levels that span from just barely cracking your head to full-blown face on the tatami prostration. Age, gender, position in the company and situation all impact the length and depth of the bow.

The bow also has many meanings like, excuse me, thank you, I’m sorry, nice to meet you. Bows are also used to kick-off conversations and to acknowledge someone’s presence.

"So…. What are you trying to say?"

It’s complex and this writing only scratches the surface but…

Bow with a straight back and eyes cast downward. Men have have their hands at their sides. Women have their hands in front.If someone bows to you, you return the gesture. To keep things simple and to stay on the safe side, bow slightly longer and slightly deeper than the other.

If you're ready for another serving of Japanese etiquette, click for the low-down on using chopsticks. Etiquette alone won't get you through so take a look at our learn Japanese section for Japanese greetings, and basic grammar. Japanese Etiquette: How to Bow, Etiquette for Eye Contact, Touching and More!

​
 
MrVicchio said:
we don't tip our flag
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It's dip, Dip.

we don't show subservience to others
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The bow also has many meanings like, excuse me, thank you, I’m sorry, nice to meet you. Bows are also used to kick-off conversations and to acknowledge someone’s presence.

we are equals, not second to.
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You're inferior to me because I'm rich.

I guess to people that have no Pride in America, this is how it should be...
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I have Pride in America, but I'm ashamed of you, bro.

Obama's a disgrace, and won't get a second term. Americans want a leader, not a spineless appeaser.
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Whatever you say, bro, whatever you say.
 
I still cannot understand all the spin from when obama obviously bowed to the king of saudi arabia?

It use to be that gentlemen bowed to all ladies, I am sorry we have lost our traditions here, we could sure use those today.
 
Bowing is something very Japanese and it's impossible to think a Gaijin can master it without lots of training and understanding... whoever taught Obama to bow like that should be embarassed - and I'm assuming Obama is just doing what he was told to. That bow says, "I'm a nobody Westerner and this is how I bow and make Japanese people snicker behind my back". I would want to assume he got maybe 10 minutes of instruction on the plane from a Youtube video. It's bad.
 
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