Did we time travel back to 1941 when I wasn't looking? (EDIT: Link)

[Bicoastal]

Since when did the Emperor of Japan become our nation's sworn enemy?

And when, for that matter, did we Americans become complete Neanderthals when it comes to international diplomacy?

EDIT:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=2363&mesg_id=2363

Astounded by the ignorance displayed not only in comments posted under the LA Times article, but also right here on DU.

[LakeSamish706]

1. Huh... WTF are you speaking of? n/t

[Bonobo]

2. LOL. There's a guy insisting the Emperor was rude not to bow back properly!

OMG!

It will go down as one of the funniest, most ignorant things I have EVER seen of DU!

[smalll]

5. If you're looking for funny ignorance, even here on DU -- check out today's moon-water thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9124668

Actually, literaly "Laugh Out Loud" -- I've read through it at least three times today and laughed out loud throughout the whole thing sitting here by myself.

[Bonobo]

6. Please tell me that is a joke. Please! nt

[smalll]

7. I really don't think it is a joke. It is amazingly good though, isn't it? /nt

[Bonobo]

8. It is... surreal. nt

[Dead_Parrot]

9. Holy fuck.

I'm bookmarking that. It's a masterpiece.

[boppers]

10. OMG... hilarious.

:evilgrin:

Thanks for the pointer, smalll.

[sandnsea]

11. Don't you mean Moon Coke

That thread is a riot, although I do tend to think we shouldn't plan on exploiting space until we have a better idea how to fix problems here on earth.

[Clio the Leo]

14. Moon Pie?

Yummmmmmm Moon Pie!!!!



(Now we need to find a photo of a bunny with a moon pie on its head.)

[krispos42]

15. *clicks link*

[Soylent Brice]

35. same here. i'm speechless.

[vaberella]

18. I kind of like that thread...I keep thinking of Firefly!!! Then we'll be speaking Chinese soon too.

n/t

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

19. I do believe DU is losing it's mind...

[Number23]

25. LOSING??!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Some took the long walk off the short plank loooooooong ago, my friend!!!

[billh58]

24. Yep, thanks for

today's major WTF? moment... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[liberalmuse]

3. Where's the bunny with the pancake on his head pic?

I need it right now. :)

[Clio the Leo]

13. I have NO idea what you're talking about....

.... so here's a bunny with a pancake on its head.

[Egnever]

28. ..

[Cha]

4. At least our

president is versed in the ways of international diplomacy and wants to show the respect accorded the heads of state who he meets on his Asian tour.

<snip>

"How To Bow In Japan"]/b]

Instructions.Things You'll Need:

•The desire to understand the Japanese people
•A sense of composure

Step 1

Bowing in Japan is everywhere, and understanding it is everything. It takes some time for the foreigner to understand the many meanings of the bow and the many ways of bowing. But embracing the bow from the outset will improve one's chances at everything from crossing the street safely to meeting a mate.

Step 2

Understand that in Japan, the bow essentially means "I acknowledge you". The bow can mean things like "I see you", "Thank you", "Hello," "Good Day", "Pardon me", "Right away, sir", or "Amen". The Japanese people bow to show deep remorse as well as profound gratitude or respect -- these bows can be grand and sweeping or somber and slow. But the Japanese also bow to acknowledge almost all the sundry interpersonal interactions of life.
Remember the bow means "I acknowledge you": The Japanese also bow to acknowledge other drivers or pedestrians, the way Americans might give a small wave to a driver who lets them merge or to a bicyclist waiting cross an intersection.

Step 3

The standard formal bow when meeting someone new in Japan requires simply that one stand firm facing the new person, with hands at one sides. Bow from the waist (not the neck) in a somewhat slow fashion. The lower the one bows, the greater the respect accorded, so it is important to know if one's counterpart is socially superior (a teacher, a doctor?) or not

<more>
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_4920204_bow-in-japan.html

[Clio the Leo]

12. lol, typical weekend poutrage, huh?

For kicks, I think I'm going to keep a list of them. They get funnier as you get farther away from them. Here's an example ..... "Olympics Loss Hysteria"

[Double T]

16. The economy is in the tank and our financial system is in a shambles.

We're probably trying to start World War IV to improve our situation.

[PopSixSquish]

17. There is the Brink of Stupidity and Then There is the Abyss

I've been out most of the day and evening and decided to check DU before I go to bed. Wrong thing to do.

The fact that there are several threads on the bow including this one cracks me the hell up. The ignorance, imperialism and racism displayed on many of them does not...

Leave it to DU to get itself worked up into a righteous swivet over the stupidest of stuff...

[Vidar]

20. Recommended for a classy gesture on Obama's part.

[Beacool]

21. For all who think that a US president bowing to a foreign leader is protocol, no it is not.

It was Obama's personal choice. It was also done incorrectly. That deep of a bow is subservient, from an inferior to a superior. The proper bow would have been with the back mostly upright, the head slightly tipped forward while the hands remained at the sides of the body. One does not bow and shake hands at the same time.

;)

[CakeGrrl]

22. Then I doubt he'll get faulted for a personal choice of showing respect

We know you're just really and truly concerned and want our President to be successful in everything he does, but you'll just have to hope there's an actual failure for you to report (celebrate).

:hi:


:rofl:

[Beacool]

23. Personally, I couldn't care les who he bows to.......

But if you noticed, this is a political board, not a fan club.

;)

[Number23]

26. So ummm... Bea...

Is your problem with the bow the fact that it was done at all or the fact that it was done, errr... INCORRECTLY???

Inquiring minds wants to know. Really.

[Beacool]

Both

Too deep when a slight bow should have been respectful enough and poor form.

"Thomas Lifson, who lived in Japan for years and taught hundreds of foreign executives the right way to bow, agreed that -- regardless of any political subtext -- Obama's combination low-bow/handshake was a mess.

It "violates a fundamental precept: NO TOUCHING while bowing,"

http://www.sphere.com/2009/11/16/the-point-obamas-bow-enrages-critics/?icid=main

Not that it's a big deal, but since there were so many threads on the subject, I added my $0.02.

:D

[dionysus]

30. eventually we'll find a photo of hillary bowing to someone Bea.

muahahahahahaha!
:hi:

[Beacool]

31. Hi, sweetie!!!!

I think that presidents should respect local culture, but deeply bowing to a foreign leader is a bit much. The smaller bow with the hands at the side would have been more than enough. As for Hilz, she met with the Empress a few months ago and kissed her on the cheek but didn't bow to her.

BTW, I have no problem with women wearing a head covering while visiting a mosque. An issue that drives the RW crazy.

:hi:

[AsahinaKimi]

27. So you are saying this Japanese is wrong

Gomen Nasai, Sorry.. It can be done and has been done.
It is may be more proper to bow or shake hands, but this has been before done in Japan.

As for what Japanese think...


http://www.examiner.com/x-16352-Japan-Headlines-Examine...

Japanese reaction:
# “What a bow!”
# “Such a deep bow from Obama, what a fine guy.”
# “I’m surprised he bowed. He’s really trying hard to meet the Japanese way!”
# “President Obama is a top-class person, isn’t he? Amazing!”
# “The Emperor is giving a nice smile!”
# “Is the Japanese Emperor really that special?”
# “The Emperor or the Pope, the President or the Prime Minister, whoever is greater is not something that I think can be decided objectively.”
# “I laughed because it was a much better bow than I had imagined.”
# “Obama’s huge!”
# “Obama has more of a true Japanese heart than most Japanese do.”

[Egnever]

29. If it has Obama in it

Then yes B thinks its wrong.

[mkultra]

33. wrong again

going for 18million?

[billh58]

34. Kind of correct

but, a little bit wrong:

When dealing with non-East Asians, many East Asians will shake hands. Since many non-East Asians are familiar with the custom of bowing, this often leads to a combined bow and handshake. Bows may be combined with handshakes or performed before or after shaking hands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowing_(social)

There are many different kinds of bows in Japan and elsewhere in East Asia, and the simple act of the greeting bow has no real significance other than a show of respect and friendship -- much the same as the Western handshake.

Did President Obama bow too low for those Westerners who were offended by the simple act? Maybe, but for the most part the Japanese people loved it. All-in-all, no big whoop and life goes on.

[DU GrovelBot]

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