a BOW is a show of respect

[mkultra]

In many middle eastern countries, it is still consider the formal form of greeting to place your hand on your chest and bow. Bowing is not a sign of subservience although it would be foolish for the subject of any king not to show that king respect.

Frankly im surprised i even have to fight this battle on this board. Right wing talking points are for free republic. Please do some research before you bring this kind of fight here.


http://media.www.theorion.com/media/storage/paper889/news/2009/03/11/News/First.Local.Persian.New.Year.Delivers-3667624.shtml
http://www.rln-eastmidlands.com/pdf/country/Middle%20East.pdf
http://books.google.com/books?id=LvbKr1qMr_AC&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=bow+greeting+arab&source=bl&ots=ofvXRquVN3&sig=wo8Y-zdAlT17Xpmm3PMJFo0O_zk&hl=en&ei=YojXSdLkA5KclAe-w-DJDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#PPA9,M1

[masuki bance]

1. ...

:popcorn:

[mkultra]

3. yup, pull up a chair. The battle against the embedded trolls has begun

[wroberts189]

2. There was not a peep in freeperville when bushie gave them kissie face. nt

[mkultra]

4. but apperently the bow outrage is so huge that its there AND here.

[rvablue]

5. Maybe. But President Obama didn't bow. In watching the video, it is clear from others'

body language and movement that something was dropped on the floor.

So, maybe bowing is a sign of respect. But frankly, all of the analysis and hand-wringing is moot.

Because he didn't bow.

[mkultra]

7. well, i watched the video once

it looked like a bow to me but i didn't really watch very closely.

[Dollface]

16. Looked like a bow to me. Just good US midwest manners. After all, his grandma was from Kansas.

[rvablue]

18. Well, you should watch it a couple more times then because

it's very strange that at the moment some are saying the President bowed, everyone's gaze suddenly went to the floor and the guy to his right moves over and slightly down at the same time the President did.

He didn't bow.

[mkultra]

29. i did, it looks like everyone sort of responded with a small bow

as if they didn't expect it but they wanted to reciprocate. The Arabs definitely bowed. Sarkozy though? don't know. Either way, its nothing to be upset about.

[berni_mccoy]

6. I'm just glad he didn't kiss him and hold his hand as they went skipping along

[lunatica]

9. So now an obvious photoshopped picture passes for fact?

Bush is a stinking pile of shit, but he never kissed the Saudi prince like that. Can you at least stick to facts?

[berni_mccoy]

11. Is it a FACT that Obama Bowed or is that an image out of context?

That's part of the point I'm making.

[mkultra]

13. heres the video, judge for yourself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WlqW6UCeaY

[rocktivity]

21. Obama shook hands with him WHILE he bowed--that makes it a wash.

As John McEnroe says, "YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!"

:eyes:
rocktivity

[lunatica]

14. Your not making a point. You're making a smear

Obviously facts just get in your way

[berni_mccoy]

22. Your name says everything.

[mkultra]

12. the lip kiss photo is shopped but they did kiss on both cheeks several times

not that it matters really.

[lunatica]

8. First, it's a load of crap to say that was a bow

Even looking at the photo it's obvious that no one was bowing at all. Every single person in the photo is looking at something on the floor.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cass]

15. If a bow is a show of respect why didn't the Saudi King bow to Obama? They are both heads of state.

Its pretty obvious President Obama bowed to the Saudi King, and it wasn't merely a head nod it was a full-on bow. Why didn't the Saudi King show the same respect to President Obama since that's a show of respect in his culture?

I didn't like it when Bush went tiptoeing hand in hand through the Texas bluebells with the Saudi King either.

I have no use for the Saudi royal family. I don't trust them and I think they are a bunch of jerks. Their human rights record is abysmal and, AFAIAC, they have dirty hands when it comes to 9/11.

[mkultra]

27. well, i think if you put some thought to it you might figure it out

since it was on neutral ground, they both offered the customeary formal greetings acceptable in the receiving culture. Abdullah offered the hand shack and Obama offered the bow. Abdullah was clearly surprised and to me looked honored by Obama's gesture. Often, we Americans , being the self centered assholes that we can be, only offer our own cultural gesture.

[hileeopnyn8d]

17. I posted this on one of the other threads

but this looks like a good one to repost it.

If, indeed this was a bow, and I'm not sure it is given everyone is looking at the floor, it isn't called a "bow".

It's called a salaam. It is a greeting, not a sign of difference or submission, Muslims don't believe in bowing to anyone but Allah, yet the Salaam is a custom in many Muslim countries. So therefore, I can only conclude that what he did is not considered a bow in the way that we define them.

And to answer the question about why the King didn't bow back - the person approaching is the one who initiates the greeting.

I wish he hadn't done it, just because of the ridiculous outrage it has caused, but it doesn't mean anything. Other than peace.

[cliffordu]

19. Soo......did he bow BEFORE he picked up what he dropped or after???

[Cha]

24. He bowed During..thought he'd

get a twofer:P

[Skidmore]

20. Cultural ignorance is breathtaking in this nation sometimes.

[Cha]

23. Namaste..

The spirit in me recognizes the spirit in you and there's a little bow while one is saying it. :)

Thanks for bringing some rationality on the subject.

[mkultra]

28. Namaste

The light within me honors the light within you. :D

[pot luck]

25. Why is this such a big deal?

I understand why those on the right are focusing on this (scary secret Muslin), but why are some on the left joining in with them? WTF cares if he bowed or not unless one thinks this proves some wacky conspiracy theory.

[ShortnFiery]

26. To the leader of The Country of Origin of 15 of the 19 hijackers of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Yeah, respect. :eyes: