As for Obama, he broke protocol by breaking eye contact. He was trying way too hard to please……….. which is better than saying 'eff you, eat me' like the previous administration. Obama is six foot forever, though; I see what he was trying to do since he's so tall and the Emperor and his Empress are more petite than Prince. I was kinda weirded out and smiling at the same time when I saw this photo over at Undercover Black Man

http://undercoverblackman.blogspot.com/2009/11/…

with Cute Little Man and Obama. Weirded out because that's something you do with children and dogs, sweet and attentive but vaguely pandering; but also smiling because that's also something you do in a professional setting, where its not pandering at all. It's bad form to tower over other people unless you're a teacher or a jack ass boss trying to make a point to a subordinate. You try to equalize things, between equals. You sit, or do whatever you can to get your head level to their head.

I'm not liking that the Examiner article with the positive (or rather, positive in a pat the little negro's head way) japanese reaction — and NO sources — is the only one getting blog play. So many japanophiles/native japanese, and that's the only one to get wide release weekend? No way. It's instructive to know what the negative and neutral reactions are as well. But oh well.

Again, Obama broke protocol. But he did it in a goofy way, which is endearing for now. You know how there are big Tiny Lister looking giants who go out of their way to make themselves ingratiating and non-threatening? That was Obama this weekend.

I remember when Will Smith used to get dissed for doing the same stuff, racially instead of physically. Now the dissing is coming from the other side.

The reason that american presidents do not bow to heridetary royalty stems from our repudiation of royalty – see revolutionary war.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9vadcdgzjI&feat…

but you got it wrong…he's supposed to yell SEXUAL CHOCOLATE!!

I was the jill of all trades at this Internet start-up company, and some prospective Japanese clients came to the office. They were expected. I served them coffee, tea, soft drinks and little cakes and chips while they waited for the bosses, and I did my bit of bowing, because it was expected. Not deep bows like the President, but respectful, courteous bows. I think they were rather happy and relieved about it, because one of them told me, “You must know something about our culture!” I said yes, and they thanked me and bowed back.

I don't know whether the company got the money or not, but I like to think that they did–with just a bowing acquaintance.

Now you know no Amurrican President don't bow to nobody, nohow, noway, pilgrim!

He's supposed to stride purposefully into the room, just dripping with gravitas, spit a chaw of chewin' tobackky on the floor, and then with a scornful look just DARE anyone to say ANYTHING!

WOLVERINES!

If we're NOT following protocol, then there shouldn't have been any uproar over Michelle Obama's touching of the Queen.

If we ARE following protocol, there's no need for the outrage.

Or are we only following protocol with white countries, but not with non-white countries?

God Bless U!