My reference to looking like an idiot was that old saying about arguing on the internet being like participating in the Special Olympics, rather than an assumption of arrogance.

It was a typo… stop being so arrogant!!

You know I was kidding right?

You are wise to avoid trying. You would only look like an idiot. But do tell me where I used the word “Americans”.

Overthinker: I refuse to acknowledge your point. I was going to type a scathing reply to humiliate you on the internet. But I have decided to take the high road and spare you this time. So don’t be so quick to judge Americans next time pal.

You’re kidding right? I’m betting some people would be surprised to hear that Japan has a royal family. People are concerned with more important things, like American Idol.

No contest, if you check out photos of the Empress from fifty or so years ago. She was damn cute.

And that is America’s biggest problem. In an effort not to appear weak, it come off as arrogant.

Maybe you are right, I really don’t know. But lets face it parading in front of the media is part of a leaders job nowadays. Does any country want their leaders to make themselves appear smaller or humbled by leaders from other countries? Wouldn’t most people want the their representative to be viewed as an equal to whoever they are posing with? I have no evidence to go either way in this argument, but I feel it’s completely logical to desire to be treated as equals. A picture has to stand on it’s own. You can’t expect people to have the nuances of each moment explained to them. If you see a picture of a guy deeply bowing to another you just assume that the non-bowing guy is superior. People may have various opinions on this particular instance, but I still maintain that an image of equality is more desirable than an image of humility.

http://www1.ibdcd.com/image/toon_111609_FULL.jpg

And that is America’s biggest problem. In an effort not to appear weak, it come off as arrogant.

Obama was trying to be polite – nothing more, nothing less.

What’s next, will we talk about who had the firmer handshake?

The better necktie? The pretty wife?

Grow up people. Worry about stuff that matters.

I was under the impression that this is what you do when you meet an emperor – you bow lower than him, because he’s the emperor, and to do otherwise is arrogant, or at least half-assed (which is what Nixon looks like he’s doing – the half-assed half-bow).

If there’s any criticism to be made here, it’s that the US was founded as an anti-monarchist country. And that’s a most valid point – but I don’t see anyone making it.

If you’re going to put aside the notion of the US as an anti-monarchist nation, which it would seem that we are, then we (meaning our president) should bow low before the Emperor.

People in Japan, from salarymen to elevator ladies to high school students and their teachers, bow as low as Obama did on an everyday basis, to each other, to strangers, to business partners, to customers/visitors… it’s not a sign of weakness; it’s proper etiquette.

I wasn’t aware that the NYTimes was a “right-wing” publication.

It’s sad that people are so defense when it comes to this President. This is one of many protocol blunders this White House has committed. Just because he isn’t GWB doesn’t mean that he is immune from diplomatic criticism.

Sayyyyy~ Did anyone look at HIS birth certificate closely? I can’t imagine anyone who’d go have dinner with the red Chinese being a true American…

At least Obama didn’t vomit sushi over the Prime Minister like one of his predecessors did.

Ah. That narrows it right down…..