President Obama's bow to the Japanese Emperor

I wanted to weigh in on the 'controversy' momentarily.

1. Bowing is a sign of respect, but in addition it is in many ways the 'Japanese handshake'. To bow to someone isn't to lessen your authority or power. Obama was probably just trying to be polite, and to participate in a Japanese cultural act as a symbol of cultural understanding.

2. While the angle of the bow can indicate subservience or submission, I think the reason Obama bowed as low as he did has more to do with the height difference.

I mean, the emperor is pretty short. Obama is pretty tall. The pictures I've seen of it make Obama look like a giant next to a midget, even though I think the height difference is less pronounced.

It just struck me as such a silly thing to get worked up over.