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 Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:03 pm
Hey everyone, I just read a news article about how President Obama was criticized for bowing to the Emperor of Japan. And I wanted to get your insight. Original article: Obama Bowing
The argument is that the U.S. president shouldn't bow to anyone because it symbolizes the idea that the president is bowing down to "Monarchs and Tyrants." Also, some people feel that it is inappropriate because he bowed down to the son of Emperor Hirohito, who led Japan during World War II - which apparently symbolizes the dishonoring of "the service and sacrifice of Americans who fought against Japan." The only other President to bow to the Emperor and Empress was Nixon back in 1971, otherwise no other President has bowed.
However, we, the members in the guild know that bowing is a cultural aspect of Japanese customs meant to show respect.
So what do you all think of this?
Are people overreacting?
Are what the critics say partially true?
Should people bow, or should it be outdated in modern society?
Please remember to be respectful of each others opinion, and try to leave political arguments out of it, if you can help it. Thanks.
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 1:03 pm
I think that it was wonderful of him to bow and show respect. Not only was it respectful but it also showed that our President has been versed in Japanese culture. I expect that he will continue to show respect of the culture no matter where he goes. heart
He is being a wonderful role model and changing how the world often views Americans. Most Tourists could learn a thing or to from this.
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:42 pm
people just 1. wanna make money exploiting something unimportant or 2. they have no manners at all. it made me sick to know people are biitching at bowing to something that happened loooong time ago. we probably have a higher chance of having a civil war than another world war right now. and thats loony enough already. when we are addressing another culture, we should always part take in their cultural acts of respect. were trying to make men bond here? how many black people are talk to the japanese emporer? for that matter, a white man, latino, islander, or an asian in general? would we rather have him makeout with the emporer? probably not.
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:47 pm
I think the point is that President Obama was trying to be respectful. He was aware that it was in the Japanese culture to bow, but it was also in his culture to shake hands. I think that since he isn't Japanese, I think that he did the right thing in the end. International politics involves building bridges. Although you're not supposed to "touch" while bowing, the gesture of shaking his hand was a way to invite the emperor to share the American Culture while sharing the Japanese Culture. Now-a-days, some Japanese people do shake hands as a form of business transactions. It's my belief that Obama was reaching out to him in a metaphorical sense--by bowing he showed his understanding for tradition and the people, and by shaking his hand, he showed his understanding for equality among world leaders and the compromises and discussions they would have in a professional setting. :3
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Strawberry Pocky Parade Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:27 pm
I don't know if any of you are familiar with the two types of bows. There is the 45 degree bow which is used as a respectful greeting to people who are of similar or lesser status and the 90 degree bow for people who are of greater status than yourself.
example: student bowing to teacher = 90 degree
teacher bowing to student = 45 degree
Obama, as you can see, is doing a 45 degree bow which is returned by the Emperor. This is them showing mutual respect for each others positions as political leaders. Neither is degrading their own position.
People are just uneducated about the Japanese culture and incredibly arrogant about being Americans.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 4:33 pm
I think alot of people are overreacting. I think it was polite of him to bow to the Emperor of Japan, since it shows that the U.S.(most of us..) respects their cultures. I think most of the people who think Obama's a traitor don't understand the Japanese culture like others do or they are just attacking Obama like every body does to a president while he's in office. I think this is a great topic to bring up in the guild, good job!
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:08 am
Great points everyone!
@ Miss Chloie: I agree with you, I think he was trying to bridge customs of both cultures in a respectful way.
@ Mugoi: I completely forgot about the different kinds of bows, thanks for reminding everyone.
@ Ronin: Thanks! All part of the effort to stay on topic. 3nodding
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:02 pm
Puffttt, journalists! Always spiralling everything out of control OR they're just too thick to realise that it's a sign of respect and that everyone in Japan does it. They're blown it out of control.
[says me, I wanna be journalist but not a thick news journalist]
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:39 pm
Miss Chloie I think the point is that President Obama was trying to be respectful. He was aware that it was in the Japanese culture to bow, but it was also in his culture to shake hands. I think that since he isn't Japanese, I think that he did the right thing in the end. International politics involves building bridges. Although you're not supposed to "touch" while bowing, the gesture of shaking his hand was a way to invite the emperor to share the American Culture while sharing the Japanese Culture. Now-a-days, some Japanese people do shake hands as a form of business transactions. It's my belief that Obama was reaching out to him in a metaphorical sense--by bowing he showed his understanding for tradition and the people, and by shaking his hand, he showed his understanding for equality among world leaders and the compromises and discussions they would have in a professional setting. :3
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Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:11 pm
First off, I think that it was nice that Obama showed respect to the Emporer. It shows that he took the time to memorize the custums and wanted to show respect to another leader.
Second, I think that if anyone is seriously that butthurt becouse of this, they need to open a book and read more. If people would learn about other culture, instead of getting all angery becouse of someone showing someone else respect, then that just shows how ignorant they are.
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