What if Obama had done this?

Avro

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Feb 12, 2007
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Just curious, what do you think the reaction would be if Obama had a photo taken with Abdullah like this?

 

TenPenny

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Bowing is acceptance of inferiority.

Unless, of course, it is complying with custom.

"In some cultures people kiss on the cheeks, in some they shake hands, in some they bow. All of which have some long anthropological explanation that isn't worth going into. The point being that it isn't a sign of weakness when a world leader understands that when in a different country, it is proper to use their customs."
 

YukonJack

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Avro, can't you just let it go??

Bush was ridiculed more than enough when he was in office. Don't you realize that he is NOT the President any more?

Heaven knows the current pretender is ridiculous enough.
 

AnnaG

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There's something wrong with holding hands? In Russia, guys even kiss. I can't see a big deal here.
 

Tonington

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How about bowing before the pope? If you're Methodist, it isn't customary to bow to the Pope.



Respect is respect. Who cares really what they do when they greet? It's what they do after those meetings that matter.
 

A4NoOb

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Feb 27, 2009
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I would even agree this wouldn't be so much a problem, but it is problematic when you don't understand how customs work. Bowing in the above picture is hardly any kind of gesture of inferiority. Clearly they are just greeting each other. Take that in contrast to this:



Tonington said:
Respect is respect. Who cares really what they do when they greet? It's what they do after those meetings that matter.

Greetings are a first impression. I completely agree, it should not be a big deal. Which is why Obama's exaggerated bow is being called into question. He is going out of his way to show appreciation to the Japanese emperor, a man who does not deserve such reverence from a person in Obama's position. Obama just has a defeatist morale written all over him.
 
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Curiosity

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Personally I would rather see hand holding, hugging and even the occasion smooch on the cheek between heads of state around the world, than the old outmoded solution of killing each other.
I'm still on Obama's bow however - way too many messages in that one. It's gotta be an equal and shared response of respect and hope.
 

Avro

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At least G. W. Bush had enough spine not to bow to Abdullah. Or anyone else.


That wasn't the question YJ.

Your failure to do so speaks volumes.:roll:

Avro, can't you just let it go??

Bush was ridiculed more than enough when he was in office. Don't you realize that he is NOT the President any more?

Heaven knows the current pretender is ridiculous enough.

Just answer the question?

Is it so hard for you.

There's something wrong with holding hands? In Russia, guys even kiss. I can't see a big deal here.

You can't....but what if Obama had done it?

Personally I would rather see hand holding, hugging and even the occasion smooch on the cheek between heads of state around the world, than the old outmoded solution of killing each other.
I'm still on Obama's bow however - way too many messages in that one. It's gotta be an equal and shared response of respect and hope.

So Dwight is in the same catagory?