Crack the Crunch with the Crunch Breaker

Obama-san gets it right. Keep bowing Barack

December 2, 2009

The news across the front of every newspaper in Asia screams the same headlines, and I have no doubt it’s the same in the US and Europe.

Did Obama bow too low during his recent visit to Japan, when he met Emperor Akihito and his wife? (Singapore Straights Times http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/World/World_20091122.html).

Certainly the Republican right have mocked Obama; no less than a rebuke from former vice-president Dick Cheney that ‘there is no need for an American president to bow to anyone’. Accusations that Obama was groveling to a foreign leader are widespread in the US, but what is all the fuss about?

As a regular traveler to Asia and other parts of the world, there are some simple rules to gain respect; adapt to the local culture.

Every nuance, every action is read one way or another;

• How do you present a business card in Asia?
• Would it be normal to give a bear hug in Russia?
• Is it standard practice to bring a gift in some parts of Asia?
• What does it mean when your male host holds your hand in the Middle East?
• Do you kiss cheeks 2 or 3 times in Belgium?
• Should you look your host straight in the eye when toasting vodka in Eastern Europe?
• What do you say when your host suggests you continue your meeting in the sauna?

Plus

• How low do you bow in Japan and what it the protocol?

Mastering the art of bowing is a must for all Japanese when they start working life, so it’s useful to know what the etiquette is:

• A 15-degree bow is appropriate when passing someone in the corridor
• A 30-degree bow is the most common and is used for welcoming a guest or entering or leaving a conference room.
• A 45-degree bow is for important clients, apologies or formal occasions such as weddings.
• The rare 90-degree bow is reserved for the very important such as the Emperor.

One Japanese blogger wrote ‘it’s good to see a modest Obama-san. With him I feel a sense of intimacy never felt before with other US presidents’.

The US has a lot of bridge-building to re-gain respect internationally. Obama was 100% right in what he did. It may seem odd in the US mid-west, but in Asia it has raised his profile considerably and shows he has humility as well as strong leadership skills.

He adapted to local culture.

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