Ginger Post

Images of U.S. President Barack Obama bending almost ninety degrees at the waist, hand extended in a handshake with Emperor Heisei of Japan plaster the news. Headlines scream their criticism at the American leader bowing down to another. God forbid the superpower of America should show any deference as it would be a sign of weakness.

As globalization becomes an inevitable reality, it is necessary for citizens of the world to acquaint themselves with gestures of other cultures. This becomes even more necessary for leaders trying to bridge the chasm between cultures and solve world issues. What credibility would a leader have if they cannot respect the gestures of other cultures?

Many Asian cultures bow in greeting and to show respect, and it is as commonplace as the handshake. Bowing is not a shameful gesture. Asian politicians bow to each other in greeting as often as they shake hands. For Obama to respect the cultural differences between the American and Asian and to follow a custom that is widely accepted in the country he is visiting is commendable. Perhaps the criticism was instigated by how deep Obama bowed to the emperor, or the fact that he bowed and shook hands at the same time. Whatever the cause, to interpret a simple gesture as a fully loaded sign with underlying connotation of weakness or apology is blowing it way out of proportion.

Curiously, just two years ago, President George W. Bush kissed and held hands with the Crown-Prince of Saudi Arabia, as it is common in Arabic culture for men to hold hands. Despite some minor media jeers at Bush’s gesture, it was not met with the same amount of harsh criticism as Obama’s bow.

As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”