White House: No bow to Saudi King

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Obama's new Foreign policy suggests that the US "bow" to others...Not a good idea.

He did a significant "bow", indicative of deep sorrow and regret in Japanese custom. Wondering if there are similar meanings in the Middle East?

In India, which has a great deal more in common (culturally) with the ME than Japan does, a bow of that nature is a mark of subservience. Notice how the King doesn't bow back. That is typically how it is done in India as well.

Well, then he F'cked up big-time. A sad commentary about the inexperienced in the role of President. Wasn't this mentioned months ago? I thought so.......

Who knows, maybe this is how the young'uns in Saudi say wassup these days.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Obama's new Foreign policy suggests that the US "bow" to others...Not a good idea.

He did a significant "bow", indicative of deep sorrow and regret in Japanese custom. Wondering if there are similar meanings in the Middle East?

In India, which has a great deal more in common (culturally) with the ME than Japan does, a bow of that nature is a mark of subservience. Notice how the King doesn't bow back. That is typically how it is done in India as well.

Well, then he F'cked up big-time. A sad commentary about the inexperienced in the role of President. Wasn't this mentioned months ago? I thought so.......

He should send Joe next time. I thought that is what Vice-Presidents do, when the Secretary of State is too busy to visit second world leaders.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Joe is a bit of a verbal gaffe machine. He'd probably tell a joke about a pig and show the King clippings of the Danish cartoons.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

Joe is a bit of a verbal gaffe machine. He'd probably tell a joke about a pig and show the King clippings of the Danish cartoons.

SILENCE! ....

[dalegg 143]

He would have saved the Spartans a lot of trouble with Xerxes.

[GaryC 7]

I could care less if he farts, bcz we all do it ... but to bow down before a king or president and hes our leader.... not acceptable... farting is OK bowing down is NOT.

Is this some precedent?

I wonder whether Obama (and Presidents past) have bowed to the Pope or the Queen of England.

Yes it is a precedent. Until now no president has ever bowed to a monarch. As a point of reference please note that Obama didn't bow to Queen Elizabeth during his meeting with her.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

As a point of reference please note that Obama didn't bow to Queen Elizabeth during his meeting with her.

A video is worth a million words.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

And for comparison, again, the bow to the Saudi king....

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Looked like a head bow to me, more than just a nod, but not a deep bow, like to the Saudi king.

[GaryC 7]

As a point of reference please note that Obama didn't bow to Queen Elizabeth during his meeting with her.

A video is worth a million words.

Pretty big difference between that minor head bob and the genuflect he did to the Saudi King wouldn't you say?

[meowmeowmeow 1]

why is this even an issue?

[GaryC 7]

why is this even an issue?

A bow like Obama did isn't a sign of respect, it's a sign of subservience. The president of the United States isn't subservient to any king.

[natty bumppo 297]

why is this even an issue?

A bow like Obama did isn't a sign of respect, it's a sign of subservience. The president of the United States isn't subservient to any king.

amazing how many people are ignorant of this ...

[meowmeowmeow 1]

why is this even an issue?

A bow like Obama did isn't a sign of respect, it's a sign of subservience. The president of the United States isn't subservient to any king.

are you serious?

[Scott & Lai 12]

why is this even an issue?

A bow like Obama did isn't a sign of respect, it's a sign of subservience. The president of the United States isn't subservient to any king.

are you serious?

About which? A deep bow like that (which is not even slightly returned by the king) being a sign of subservience, or the fact that the POTUS is not subservient to any king?