Obama's critics should be bowing their heads

The American right has worked itself into a lather over Obama's bow to Japan's emperor. They owe him an apology

Barack Obama's bow to the Japanese emperor: not unseemly deference, just impeccable manners. Photograph: Charles Dharapak/AP

 

To most reasonable people, it was a well-intentioned show of respect to a head of state who greeted his guest on the steps of his home before ushering him inside for lunch.

But Barack Obama's greeting to Japan's emperor, Akihito, at the weekend has worked the American right into a lather over what they see as their president's unseemly deference to a symbol of hereditary power.

The outrage was initially confined to commentators such as William Kristol, who, in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, wondered "why President Obama thought that was appropriate. Maybe he thought it would play well in Japan."

Now no less a figure than *** Cheney has waded in. "There is no need for an American president to bow to anyone," the former vice-president told the politico.com website.

By contrast, when Cheney met Akihito, he restricted the niceties to a stiff-backed handshake … but then Cheney is all charm.

Sean Hannity at Fox News claimed the Japanese were "mortified" by the addition of a handshake to the traditional greeting.

They were nothing of the sort: the handshake, though not strictly necessary, has crept into bowing etiquette, particularly in international business and politics. What better way to illustrate the meeting of two cultures?

Far from embarrassment, there is consternation here that some Americans should be so incensed by their president's impeccable manners. If anyone was belittled it was Akihito, who stands eight inches shorter than the 6ft 1in Obama.

Etiquette experts in Japan have praised the president's efforts, while an Imperial Household Agency spokesman said the greeting looked "natural and appropriate".

At the very least it was an improvement on the cringeworthy efforts of celebrities, Madonna included, who greet their Japanese fans with a nod of the head, palms pressed together in prayer. Sorry, Madge … wrong country.

But the vitriol continues.

In his LA Times blog titled, "How low will he go?" Andrew Malcolm called Obama "undignified" and his behaviour deeply misguided in the presence of a man whose father occupied the chrysanthemum throne when Japan and the US were at war.

Stephen Colbert exploited the bow's rich comic potential with a reference to George Bush Snr's "greeting" to his Japanese counterpart Kiichi Miyazawa in 1992: a lapful of vomit.

The conservative pundit Bill Bennett told CNN: "It's ugly. I don't want to see it. We don't defer to emperors."

Which is fine, because Obama wasn't deferring to anyone.

The angle and length of a bow in Japan depends on who is bowing to whom. Etiquette demands that a 90-degree bow should be reserved for such occasions as meeting the emperor or another VIP, or as a sincere expression of apology or regret.

Context is everything. I have seen teachers perform an "Obama" in front of graduating pupils, and departing senior editors practically kiss their kneecaps before a newsroom of lowly hacks. Deference, or simple gratitude and civility?

The Obama administration has stepped in to defend the president. "I think that those who try to politicise those things are just way, way, way off base," an unnamed official said.

The state department, meanwhile, attempted to clear up any confusion over how Americans should behave abroad.

Thanks to their ignorance, Cheney, Kristol et al now owe Obama an apology. A perfectly executed dogeza, foreheads pressed to the ground, would be a good start.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2009/nov/18/obama-japan-bow

I am afraid the right will be sadly disappointed if they expect support for their complaints.

America has changed a lot but there are still a great many people who consider respect and consideration very important and are not yet willing to throw away that for arrogance and disdain for the customs of other cultures..

 He went so low, that was more of curtsey than a bow.  Then he made 5 or 6 more bow gestures as if that wasn't enough.  I think he owes me an apology for embarassing me as an American.  When he travels around the world he represents all of us, not just you lefties who find no err in his ways. 

Oh I find plenty of errs in his ways, I just don't find acting courteous an embarrasement, or an err.

What I find embarrassing is Americans that think showing arrogance and disdain for other customs is the proper way to act.

Arrogance and ignorance.  Ekko's got the dynamic duo going there.

Barbara Jones:

Oh I find plenty of errs in his ways, I just don't find acting courteous an embarrasement, or an err.

What I find embarrassing is Americans that think showing arrogance and disdain for other customs is the proper way to act.

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Don't put words in my mouth!!!  I have never said he should show arrogance or disdain for other customs!!  He can easily be respectuful without kowtowing.  It's pathetic how you people constantly lie 

MsMagoo:

Arrogance and ignorance.  Ekko's got the dynamic duo going there.

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Arrogance and ignorance would be using a moniker and avitar of someone else's originality.

 SolidRock,   I guess my age is showing. 

 This ideal that showing respect is somehow demeaning and a show of weakness is completely topsy turvy upsidedown to me.

 I think it takes more strength to show respect than it does to be rude or arrogant.

Barbara Jones:

 SolidRock,   I guess my age is showing. 

 This ideal that showing respect is somehow demeaning and a show of weakness is completely topsy turvy upsidedown to me.

 I think it takes more strength to show respect than it does to be rude or arrogant.

 

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Like I said....show me where I suggested he be rude or arrogant.

That is an easy one Ekko,  when you don't follow the customs of the country you are in and instead insist they follow your customs then that is arrogant and rude.

MsMagoo:

Ekko, how can you say that is either arrogant or ignorant? Do you know what those two words mean?

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You use MrMagoo's nick and avatar to arrogantly flaunt your self perceived superiority and to demean MrMagoo, which in turn shows your  ignorance for you lack the knowledge to understand he would dominate you in debate.

There, I used both words in the same sentence...happy....

Barbara Jones:

That is an easy one Ekko,  when you don't follow the customs of the country you are in and instead insist they follow your customs then that is arrogant and rude.

 

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I do not agree with that assumption

 That is obvious. 

But, I think you just have the wrong ideal of what a bow stands for in some other countries. 

 It does not stand for subservience or submission like it feels like to you.  

 It is just simply a show of respect and courtesy to one's host like the handshake is here in America.

Not to do so would be the same thing as someone from another country where a bow is considered showing respect for a host coming here as your guest knowing that a handshake is the standard form of greeting and show of respect ignoring our custom and just  bowing to you, and then refusing to shake your hand.

In this country it is considered an insult if a guest refuses to shake your hand because that is our standard greeting and way of showing courtesy and respect. 

Pretty much the same thing in another country where the standard greeting is a bow.

Some people here think they understand the customs and protocols of other countries. Foolhardy, unless you actually find out.

When I went to Thailand, one of the worst things you could do to insult a local was to put your arm around or on their shoulder. But a common practice here.

ie; a sign of friendship here = a teriffic insult there.

Barbara Jones:

That is an easy one Ekko,  when you don't follow the customs of the country you are in and instead insist they follow your customs then that is arrogant and rude.

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Ekko:

  

I do not agree with that assumption

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when you met your wife's family for the first time, I am willing to bet my paycheck you didnt sit on their couch, take their remote, change the channel to football, crack open one of their beers, and burp and fart out loud (of which may or may not be customary within your household).

sounds like apples and "beans" to me Jewda.

surveybob, I'm not sure, but I think you're agreeing with me/us here? i'll hold the confetti, champagne, and heavenly music for your response.

If you are traveling to Japan, knowing how to bow in Japan can be helpful.

 Bowing (ojigi) is an important custom in Japan. People commonly greet each other by bowing instead of handshaking.

 The Japanese tend to feel uncomfortable with any physical forms of contact although they have become used to shaking hands with foreigners. Bowing in Japan has many functions in one. It expresses the feeling of respect, thanking, apologizing, greeting, and so on. For example, you can bow, when you say, "thank you", "sorry", "hello", "good bye", " welcome", "congratulations", "excuse me", "good night", "good morning", and more.