The Case Against Bowing

One of the jobs of our president is to represent the United States in all foreign relations. Obama has tried to improve US foreign relations that were strained over some foreign policies of past administrations. He has been trying his best to show respect to world leaders. His problem is that he has misunderstood the cultural significance placed on bowing in many cultures. There is a fine art to bowing, and how or when you do it has a lot of meaning in cultures that use it.

The best example for this can be seen in the following picture:

Here, he is bowing to the Emperor of Japan. Obama, as the leader of a country, is socially on the same level as the Emperor. In Japan, these levels are EXTREMELY important in understanding how you should behave. In this international situation, it is important that Obama pay attention to what the other does, being a guest in that culture. IF the Emperor were to bow, Obama would be expected to bow. If he didn't, then ANY bow would be deferential and a sign not of respect but of the other's superior position. This is the same in most cultures that customarily bow.

The depth of the bow has meaning, as well. If the Emperor were to bow, he would have dipped only slightly. In the picture, Obama has bowed down about as far as one should culturally while the Emperor has opted not to bow, giving the clear signal that the Emperor is in a far superior social position.

How does this translate in the world of politics? Obama has been parading around the world apologizing for every act the US has ever done or been accused of doing. If you add the bowing, this sends the clear signal that under the current administration, the US is willing to kowtow to any and every nation in the world. He is sending the message that we are weak, ashamed of who we are, and at the mercy of other countries. Has the US made mistakes? Yes, as has every other nation. Should we apologize? Maybe, but more importantly we should try to make things right. Should we be ashamed of who we are? Absolutely not! The US has done more to bring economic and political freedom to more people in the world than any other country in history.

P.S. From what I've been able to find, Obama's now bowed down to the Saudi King, the Japanese Emperor, two Chinese officials on separate occasions, the King of Norway, and likely others.