Comments on: Obama Bows to Japanese Emperor – What Does it Mean?

By: hi

hi — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:49:02 +0000

Michael Erickson: WWII.

By: e procurement software comparison

e procurement software comparison — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:19:04 +0000

In another site, I saw this video of photos taken just three years ago up to present, compiled by students — leaders from different countries greeting the emperor with a handshake and none of them bowed as low as Pres. Obama. Bowing is a nice gesture of respect but I don’t think presidents should bow to anyone..

By: Michael Erickson

Michael Erickson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:59:47 +0000

Goes to show what the ill-informed complain about.

All the talk about bowing in different cultures, living here or there, and yet it took a 3 second search to find out what bowing in Japanese culture means.

Bowing is a gesture of respect. Different bows are used for apologies and gratitude, to express different emotions, humility, sincerity, remorse, or deference, and in various traditional arts and religious ceremonies.

In Japan, you can determine the type of bow by the angle of the person bowing. For example, a bow of 45 degrees is for apologies. They are also longer than other bows.

That picture posted shows a 45 degree bow. One might assume it is the bow used for apology. Exactly what does the US President have to apologize to the Emperor of Japan for?

Please don’t say WWII.

By: lor

lor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:39:07 +0000

Oh my goodness… people unhappy obama is being respectful of others… what next

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:03:07 +0000

Lol…I think it’s sad that this “bow” should foster any debate. Mr. Carter …please dude….get a life or something. Obama acted accordingly. He wasn’t bowing to some bozo, but a Chinese emperor. His gesture might create some leeway on his trip as to get certain things done. Its called diplomacy, something you wouldn’t know about judging from your poor assertion of this one “bow”.

By: Kat Ahn

Kat Ahn — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:34:24 +0000

hey M Carter, Actually I was born in Philadelphia, am Asian-American, spent time living in Asia and Europe…and have been an active observer of customs of various cultures. I’ve observed many family members of mine bowing in various degrees to each other and to other colleagues/acquaintances. No one measures the degree of bowing…perhaps they critique this in books, but not in real life.

By: m carter

m carter — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:18:04 +0000

Actually Kat…You are incorrect. Yes people in the Asian cultures bow, but never is it as one sided unless a subject bows to their leader. And the deeper one bows, the more deference they show. Obama is bowing as deep as you will ever see anyone in Asia bow. What Obama did was wrong, and he needs to have people telling him how to handle foreign leaders because he is obviously not capable.

By: Kat Ahn

Kat Ahn — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:53:30 +0000

Bowing in East Asian culture shows respect to the other person and doesn’t mean that you’re being submissive or anything like that. People need to realize that we live in a global society which means respecting customs of other cultures. Its 2010 people!!