Comments on: Editorial: Why all the fuss over Obama’s bow? http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2009/11/editorial-why-all-the-fuss-over-obama%e2%80%99s-bow/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:19:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jay Remer http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2009/11/editorial-why-all-the-fuss-over-obama%e2%80%99s-bow/comment-page-1/#comment-2875 Jay Remer Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:43:23 +0000 http://www.nwasianweekly.com/?p=5602#comment-2875 This article is aptly titled. I have read with great interest all of the opinions people have taken the time to express and make public through a variety of channels. This takes some effort and indicates that this is a mater of interest. I have not yet seen any mention of the fundamental principle which overrides all guidelines and rules of protocol and is demonstrated in many instances where protocol is broken or the rules are bent. That principle is intent. What was the president's intent? He was, to me, showing his natural way of showing respect to a great man. Although strict protocol dictates that no head of state bows to another, this guideline in today's climate can and was relaxed appropriately and with no feelings of subservience by either gentleman. I seriously doubt either is losing sleep over this. I would hope that they have more pressing matters with which to occupy their thoughts. This article is aptly titled. I have read with great interest all of the opinions people have taken the time to express and make public through a variety of channels. This takes some effort and indicates that this is a mater of interest. I have not yet seen any mention of the fundamental principle which overrides all guidelines and rules of protocol and is demonstrated in many instances where protocol is broken or the rules are bent. That principle is intent. What was the president’s intent? He was, to me, showing his natural way of showing respect to a great man. Although strict protocol dictates that no head of state bows to another, this guideline in today’s climate can and was relaxed appropriately and with no feelings of subservience by either gentleman. I seriously doubt either is losing sleep over this. I would hope that they have more pressing matters with which to occupy their thoughts.

]]> By: NickV http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2009/11/editorial-why-all-the-fuss-over-obama%e2%80%99s-bow/comment-page-1/#comment-2871 NickV Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:00:10 +0000 http://www.nwasianweekly.com/?p=5602#comment-2871 As a seasoned, global, financial executive, I am disappointed by the president's obvious breach of protocol. Clearly the gesture was one sided, and bowing deeply in Japan is ABSOLUTELY a sign of subservience. The White House protocol officer should be fired for allowing this to happen. And as for the Japanese media sweeping this under the rug, it is naive to think this is because they didn't think it important. You can be assured that the "decision" not to run the picture was meant to allow us to save face. As a seasoned, global, financial executive, I am disappointed by the president’s obvious breach of protocol. Clearly the gesture was one sided, and bowing deeply in Japan is ABSOLUTELY a sign of subservience. The White House protocol officer should be fired for allowing this to happen. And as for the Japanese media sweeping this under the rug, it is naive to think this is because they didn’t think it important. You can be assured that the “decision” not to run the picture was meant to allow us to save face.

]]> By: R.E.S.P.E.C.T « Is A Fish A Man ? http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2009/11/editorial-why-all-the-fuss-over-obama%e2%80%99s-bow/comment-page-1/#comment-2869 R.E.S.P.E.C.T « Is A Fish A Man ? Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:45:30 +0000 http://www.nwasianweekly.com/?p=5602#comment-2869 [...] Still, you might protest: bowing isn’t our way. The problem with this objection is that bowing is the Japanese way and politeness, which is the way we show respect to people we do not know, is culture-specific. It is as meaningless to insist on showing people respect according to the rules of your own society as it is to insist on speaking to them in your own language. When Americans were looking European ‘kings’ in the eye it was as part of a shared and understood – even if contested – story in which the Europeans are the old colonial, dominant power overcome by the new freedom-loving American underdogs. That isn’t necessarily the case when Americans go into Asian or African countries – which reminds me: an Asian perspective on Obama’s bow can be found here. [...] [...] Still, you might protest: bowing isn’t our way. The problem with this objection is that bowing is the Japanese way and politeness, which is the way we show respect to people we do not know, is culture-specific. It is as meaningless to insist on showing people respect according to the rules of your own society as it is to insist on speaking to them in your own language. When Americans were looking European ‘kings’ in the eye it was as part of a shared and understood – even if contested – story in which the Europeans are the old colonial, dominant power overcome by the new freedom-loving American underdogs. That isn’t necessarily the case when Americans go into Asian or African countries – which reminds me: an Asian perspective on Obama’s bow can be found here. [...]

]]> By: Mr_Illinois http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2009/11/editorial-why-all-the-fuss-over-obama%e2%80%99s-bow/comment-page-1/#comment-2864 Mr_Illinois Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:17:18 +0000 http://www.nwasianweekly.com/?p=5602#comment-2864 This was NOT protocol for 2 reasons: 1. The President's bowing actually breaks protocol. Prior protocol has been that American dignitaries shake hands & occasionally offer a very slight bow. Not a deep one that breaks eye contact & suggests subservience. The original L.A. Times blog post includes pictures supporting this. - The State Department & New York Times also agree according to the June 14, 1994 Times article "The President's Inclination: No, It Wasn't a Bow-Bow" 2. The video shows Emperor Akihito approaching President Obama with his arm extended for a handshake. Our President breaks protocol again by bowing & shaking simultaneously, abnormal in Japanese culture. Plus, Emperor Akihito did NOT return the bow. Had he returned the bow, this would have been a positive display of mutual respect. Because he did not, this becomes a disturbing show of one-sided deference inappropriate for our President in the face of a foreign leader. I sincerely wish that this time the foreign official our nation's leader bowed to had returned the same courtesy & respect. Bowing is a common gesture in the Japanese culture, & one the Emperor should have initiated or returned without hesitation (especially as he's the 1st Emperor not considered divine). The first incident (with the Saudi King) may have been impulsive or simply a poor decision by President Obama & can be easily overlooked. Everyone makes mistakes. But Americans NEED to know that our President is building relationships of mutual admiration, not simply kowtowing from a subservient position and constantly apologizing for past mistakes while ignoring all the good America has simultaneously done. This was NOT protocol for 2 reasons:

1. The President’s bowing actually breaks protocol. Prior protocol has been that American dignitaries shake hands & occasionally offer a very slight bow. Not a deep one that breaks eye contact & suggests subservience. The original L.A. Times blog post includes pictures supporting this.
- The State Department & New York Times also agree according to the June 14, 1994 Times article “The President’s Inclination: No, It Wasn’t a Bow-Bow”

2. The video shows Emperor Akihito approaching President Obama with his arm extended for a handshake. Our President breaks protocol again by bowing & shaking simultaneously, abnormal in Japanese culture.

Plus, Emperor Akihito did NOT return the bow. Had he returned the bow, this would have been a positive display of mutual respect. Because he did not, this becomes a disturbing show of one-sided deference inappropriate for our President in the face of a foreign leader.

I sincerely wish that this time the foreign official our nation’s leader bowed to had returned the same courtesy & respect. Bowing is a common gesture in the Japanese culture, & one the Emperor should have initiated or returned without hesitation (especially as he’s the 1st Emperor not considered divine).

The first incident (with the Saudi King) may have been impulsive or simply a poor decision by President Obama & can be easily overlooked. Everyone makes mistakes. But Americans NEED to know that our President is building relationships of mutual admiration, not simply kowtowing from a subservient position and constantly apologizing for past mistakes while ignoring all the good America has simultaneously done.

]]>