Why is there such an uproar that the US president bowed to the Japanese emperor? It seems to me that some people honestly believe that due to globalisation there are no cultural differences anymore.
I'm sorry, but there will always be differences among cultures. Had Obama not bowed, you can be sure he'd be in just as much trouble... just not from Americans. When in another country, of course it would be best to adhere to local customs regarding greetings and signs of respect, especially on a diplomatic visit.
Dick Cheney is saying that the American president should not bow to anyone. Why not? Is he not allowed to be respectful and show cultural awareness? If a leader such as Obama doesn't show this kind of respect for the rest of the world, I hate to imagine what kind of world we would be living in.
I don't really have a political opinion on Obama one way or the other, but I do find it refreshing to see a world leader who actually seems aware that civilisation exists outside his own borders. Some people (I'm looking at you Cheney) need to pull their head out of their own backsides and take a good look at the world around them.
thank you! Cultural insensitivity is not going to help the President when he's visiting a country that's lent us around $800 BILLION dollars. but hey, let's just ignore that fact, right?
ReplyDelete