Thursday, November 19

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.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's not so much the meaning to the Japanese, it is the meaining to the people of which Obama purports to lead.

Western sovereigns do not bow to anyone. They represent the entire country. When they bow, the whole country bows down with him.

I missed it, did the Emperor bow as low or lower than Obama. If not it means he understands the customs and meanings of greetings in his own country and to his own people.

I think the Empty Suit sitting in the Oval office needs to learn the meaining of bowing to his own people.

Alaire (my pen name) said...

I <3 japan. how is it over there??? and i agree with you its not a big deal to bow cause its just a sign of respect (>^^)>

JLTan said...

Awkward.