Thread: Obama didn't bow?

I don't understand what the problem is. Are you saying America shouldn't feel the need to be polite to other countries? :l

I don't know if bowing is as customary in Saudi arabia as it is in Japan. Everyone bows to each other in Japan no matter which class one is in. And this being the Emperor who is descended from a God and all. Is the king of Saudi Arbia descended from a god? But he did bow very very low. and isn't Obama supposed to be the son of God or something? Why should he be bowing?

Bowing isn't really as much of custom in Saudi Arabia I don't think... In Japan, the bow is widespread. To not bow to the Japanese emperor would be like not shaking hands with the President.

The problem most people have with it, is that it is far past being polite. No one even remotely on the same level would ever bow like that, even in japan. Which is the message he sends, that the US present is far below the level of emperor.

Also, its the fact that they lied about it. Saying that he never did it the first time, then he just goes and does it again.

I have read that in Asian culture, it is customary for someone who is of lower "level" to bow deeper than the person who's a higher "level"

Ex: a student would bow lower than a teacher

It is a little too low? Yah. Does it really matter? No. The bow should only be a little deeper just to show respect. I'm sure Obama was just going off the typical stereotype of deep bows, and is made to look like an idiot now. Wah. Get over it

As for Middle Eastern custom, hand shakes are fine. I've never heard of a Mid Eastern bowing

Originally Posted by Alric

Obama says he didn't bow to the king of Saudi Arabia.

Originally Posted by Alric

it looks a lot like the bow he did to the king of Saudi Arabia.

I do not understand.

Originally Posted by Invader

I do not understand.

He did two nearly identical bows. He claims the first one wasn't a bow, and admits the second one was a bow but was just meant to be respectful. So you can believe the first one really wasn't a bow and just happened to look look identical to what he considers a bow. Or you can believe he lied about it. Which if you think its just a silly thing, then you got to ask, why is he lying about something so silly?

The fuck is wrong with you? Christ.

Why exactly does it matter if Obama bowed? Or how low?

Originally Posted by khh

Why exactly does it matter if Obama bowed? Or how low?

CUZ HEZ ANTICHRIS!!! IZ IN BIBEL!

Originally Posted by Alric

The problem most people have with it, is that it is far past being polite. No one even remotely on the same level would ever bow like that, even in japan. Which is the message he sends, that the US present is far below the level of emperor.

Which is of course wrong because Americans are the master race.

Dolt.

Obama says stupid things to satisfy stupid Americans?

Originally Posted by Xei

Which is of course wrong because Americans are the master race.

Dolt.

He was arguing in favor of equality, not American superiority.

Originally Posted by Universal Mind

He was arguing in favor of equality, not American superiority.

Does it really matter? How is Obama being humble going to affect America negatively?

You still have a bigger army and more nukes than anyone else so...

Originally Posted by Scatterbrain

Does it really matter? How is Obama being humble going to affect America negatively?

You still have a bigger army and more nukes than anyone else so...

We don't want the world thinking the man with his finger on the trigger of all of that is a pussy. They might get the "paper tiger" impression Bill Clinton gave Al Qaeda.

To me its the same old thing with Obama. He's pretty good at telling everyone exactly what they want to hear. He bows when he's with foreign leaders because his desire to be superficially pleasing to his company is more than his self respect.

If he honestly respected himself, his country and his foreign hosts, he would do as they do, no more and no less. I can't be sure that it wasn't just a mistimed photo, but the emperor appears to be giving a slight nod and a hand shake while obama is worrying so much if he's offending anyone that he's staring at his knee caps.

He was arguing in favor of equality, not American superiority.

They were his hosts.

Its not even about him showing he is strong or anything. Its about having self respect, and him representing the US. We want a message of being independent, not that we are here to serve them. The US president is a servant of Japan, so why even act like it?

Though the big issue, is that he is doing it to everyone. He knew everyone got upset the last time he did it, but he did it again on purpose. You have to wonder why.

Though you are right. Him increasing the debt, and trying to move the country further towards socialism is far worse, and way more important issues. Only reason I bring it up, is because I found it interesting that he lied about doing it, then did it again.

Originally Posted by Dannon Oneironaut

I don't know if bowing is as customary in Saudi arabia as it is in Japan. Everyone bows to each other in Japan no matter which class one is in. And this being the Emperor who is descended from a God and all. Is the king of Saudi Arbia descended from a god? But he did bow very very low. and isn't Obama supposed to be the son of God or something? Why should he be bowing?

Indeed. Hes the messiah :p

Anyways, I think the slight customary bow is fine, but he bowed a little to low for my taste to that emperor.

Originally Posted by Alric

not that we are here to serve them

But we are there to serve them. We are here to serve everyone. We
exists to exact justice and to defend freedom for everyone! HUZZAH!

Originally Posted by Invader

But we are there to serve them. We are here to serve everyone. We
exists to exact justice and to defend freedom for everyone! HUZZAH!

No way. Screw all non-Americans. They don't count. Why are we even talking about them?

Originally Posted by Universal Mind

Screw all non-Americans.

The lack of context makes this quote so win that it makes my brains hurt.



It should be sigged.

bowing is a sign of respect, not a sign of servitude. Obama is simply trying to do what is the most culturally accepted way of showing respect.