Bowing is a mark of respect, an ultimate diplomatic gesture that conveys regard and sincerity of purpose. It is an act of dignity that can create relationships, bridge gaps and open up new opportunities that auger well for the future of nations and their people. It sends across positive signals and shows open-mindedness that can help further a cause in a convincing manner.

President Obama understands international relations better than anyone else. He is well-cognizant of the fact that the US needs friends and allies and has to mend fences in these rather trying times. Coupled with his powerful grip over language and content of his speeches, the President is proving himself to be a role model for people all over the world and winning the hearts and minds of millions. His modesty and humbleness will be the deciding factor in the effort to re-establish the US image abroad.

Bowing is not really showing respect to the foreign "dignitaries" it is showing them how weak our president is ( and yes, I did not capitalize pres. for a reason, capitalizing would have meant that I respected him and I never will) I will never accept, nor will many other Americans accept that he is so willing to please the leaders of other countries, especially those who wish to "kill America" because we have many faiths and not just one like they do (in which they torture and beat their wives, kill their families and everyone looks the other way, and perform hideous acts of mutilation on their daughters all in the name of "religion".) This country was born on God and religion and our own destruction started when we allowed those who have no God to take away our right to prayer in schools, try to take away "In God We Trust", remove the Ten Commandments from public buildings, and slowly take away our rights and freedoms in the meantime.
If you were to ask me, I think we have another "big brother" on our hands. Think about this, Bush may have used the Patriot Act, and who knows if it was done legally, since the government is accountable only to itself because everyone is afraid to challenge them. However, not once do I remember hearing Bush ask Americans to report anyone that speaks negatively about the US government to the White House like Obama did. Where do you think he is taking this country? I am quite sure that it is not in a good direction and I am sure that we will probably see more wars in our own country between our own citizens before this is all over with. God help us all if he proves to us that he is not what he portrayed himself to be, because by then it will be too late to get him out of office.
Of course, this is all my opinion and thank GOD that I live in a country where our constitution gives me the right to free speech, free assembly, right to bear arms, and right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

What a quality anecdotal photo to wrap up of this montage of politically necessitated public acts of weakness by America's finest. I laughed out loud. I wonder if there are any scholar studies that attempt to quantify the strategic benefit of public acts of kindness (read: weakness) to despots and monarchs alike? Cost-benefit wise, if something as trivial as a bow actually has a significant impact on building a rapport with a foreign leader, than so be it. If these actions shape the inter-personal dynamic between the leaders constructively, than these (hopefully) empty-gestures are somewhat ingenious. I would believe the bow was a naive attempt at good faith with zero baggage, but the fact that he keeps doing it is pretty inexcusable. As long as he doesn't start bowing to the Mullahs, ill write this off as inconsequential, especially compared to the litany of objectively valid complaints I have with his policy.

is alive and well-represented in FP comments.

However ugly the world is, imagine the extent of the clustermuck we'd have if tact and fact-free "Palintologists" ranting to the world on our behalf.

Though I dont have much regard for Bush, I think he displayed more authority in the pictures above. With the Saudi KIng he was only bowing to be garlanded and the picture is completly out of context

Though I dont have much regard for Bush, I think he displayed more authority in the pictures above. With the Saudi KIng he was only bowing to be garlanded and the picture is completly out of context

Obama's problem is that he is trying to respect Japanese culture without understanding it. Newcomers to Japan think that you have to bow low to all and sundry. This is not the case. Any Japan Hand could tell you that there are gradations in the depth of the bow depending on the status of the participants. For instance, the kimono'ed Mama-san of a traditional establishment will bow extremely low to her valued customers, but the customers are certainly not obliged to return the compliment -- a shallow bow will do.

As the Head of State of a major nation, I doubt that Obama had to bow so low for the Emperor of Japan. They are at least of equal status, so Obama didn't owe the Emperor a bow any deeper than the one the Emperor is giving him. As a result of his exaggerated bow, Obama looks more like a newbie to Japan than the President of the United States. Obama should have been better briefed by his diplomatic staff.

Generally when bowing in close proximity, as necessitated when combining bowing and shaking hands, people turn slightly to one side (usually the left) to avoid bumping heads. Also, bows that deep usually require the other to reciprocate, acknowledging the bow with another bow. The president, taller than his counterpart, more than likely assessed the logistics and reconnoitered with this rendition.The emperor, who is smiling broadly, is, too, in fact guilty of not maintaining Japanese style etiquette. His un-Japanese smile is more typical of a hale and hardy American! The correct response, though he is the emperor, should have been to remain inscrutably tight-lipped.

Wow. Somebody pays you to do this...