To whom would you bow?

[Wildcard Ky]

We had some foreign visitors in my place of work the other day. Mostly Japanese, but a few other oriental cultures as well were in the group.

As per their custom, they shook hands and gave a curt bow upon introduction.

As an American, I found it funny that someone bowed to me, even out of habit and culture. As an American, I found myself wondering if there was anyone that I would feel compelled to bow before.

Immediately stricken from potential candidates were politicians, athletes, religious figures and "stars". By stars I mean movie stars, singers, etc. Nothing about any of them would make me feel compelled to bow.

I think the only people that I would have enough respect to bow in front of would be people that have done great things with their mind. Perhaps a great writer. A great physicist (Hawking comes to mind on that one). Intellect, and what is done with intellect is what is most awe inspiring to me.

(Of course, there's a few lovely ladies on lit at whose feet I would grovel; is that the same as bowing?)

Is there anyone that you would feel compelled to bow before? Who would it be and why?

 

[Liar]

A Japanese, in Japan. Out of courtesy when decorum suggests it. When in Rome and all that.


Out of respect for greatness? Hmm, I don't think I could pull that off without making it look ironic. So I'd better not.

 

[Trinique_Fire]

My Domme.

 

[snowy ciara]

My Domme.

Ditto.

And my TKD instructor.

 

[oggbashan]

As King Og, or as King Henry VIII, no one. (Except Miss Dover playing the part of Queen Elizabeth II)

As me, Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince of Wales.

And I would reciprocate to anyone who bowed to me.

Og

 

[3113]

WAs an American, I found it funny that someone bowed to me, even out of habit and culture. As an American, I found myself wondering if there was anyone that I would feel compelled to bow before.

I suppose it's a good thing that there aren't any cultures (are there?) left that still require one kneel or bow head to the floor.

I don't mind a bow or curtsy in respect to another's culture, but I'd find it really odd to have to kneel or knock my forehead to the floor.

Think I'd rather salute.

 

[Trinique_Fire]

Ditto.

And my TKD instructor.

I mean, even though I don't have one anymore, but that's beside the point.

What the hell is a TKD instructor?

*Pounce* [/threadjack]

 

[kendo1]

*snicker*

 

[snowy ciara]

I mean, even though I don't have one anymore, but that's beside the point.

What the hell is a TKD instructor?

*Pounce* [/threadjack]

It is the Way of the Hand and Foot, Grasshopper! I have a second degree blackbelt in TaeKwanDo.

 

[Trinique_Fire]

It is the Way of the Hand and Foot, Grasshopper! I have a second degree blackbelt in TaeKwanDo.

Oooooo that's sexy.

 

[kendo1]

I always found it strange that Carradine thought it was a load of old baloney.

Ah! Glasshoppa!

 

[Equinoxe]

I'd rather bow after the Japanese fashion than engage in most other greetings, but I don't have much occasion for that.

I suppose it's a good thing that there aren't any cultures (are there?) left that still require one kneel or bow head to the floor.

It depends on what you mean. Obviously, there's never been a culture that required that in any normal regular capacity: one would kowtow (literally) before the Emperor, but not as a form of greeting in general, or to express varying things (as with Japan now—though, in Japan, the nature of how one bows is dependant upon the relationship between the individuals). That sort of bow does still exist in some respects, usually as a very grave form of apology.

 

[rgraham666]

Out of courtesy, in Japan or a similar culture, I'll bow.

Under no other circumstances though. I will not respect someone who demands such a thing from me.

 

[Dr_Strabismus]

I always bow as a prelude to farting, which is an old custom which I continue out of respect to my forefarters.

 

[cawastedyouth]

We had some foreign visitors in my place of work the other day. Mostly Japanese, but a few other oriental cultures as well were in the group.

As per their custom, they shook hands and gave a curt bow upon introduction.

Is there anyone that you would feel compelled to bow before? Who would it be and why?

I'm half Japanese, fourth generation Japanese, raised in the US. My grandmother, however, was born in Japan, never came to the US until after she married my grandfather.

I was taught how to 'American' bow. It is acceptable to drop your head to your chest. I was also taught how to bow properly: hands folded and follow the space your legs (feet close together) make, but the top of your head is never any higher than your guest--typically that means your hands make it to your knees.

I have bowed in many instances, as professional courtesty: to someone who has shown me that they clearly know what they are talking about, as a sign of respect that I recognize what they're talking about.

Outside of that, I rarely bow. I usually am waiting for the right person who needs me to Dominate them to submit to me *weg*.

 

[R. Richard]

I would return a polite bow, out of simple courtesy.

I would bow to anyone who demanded it while holding a gun on me.

 

[Dr_Strabismus]

It's extremely hard not to return a bow in Japan, as a tourist -- humans, even the tourist variety, are natural social mimics; but the angle is crucial -- too much and you embarrass them (the way Richard Feynman embarrassed the dean's wife at Yale by kissing her hand) -- not enough and you appear disdainful. About 10 degrees is safe.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I'm half Japanese, fourth generation Japanese, raised in the US. My grandmother, however, was born in Japan, never came to the US until after she married my grandfather.

I was taught how to 'American' bow. It is acceptable to drop your head to your chest. I was also taught how to bow properly: hands folded and follow the space your legs (feet close together) make, but the top of your head is never any higher than your guest--typically that means your hands make it to your knees.

I have bowed in many instances, as professional courtesty: to someone who has shown me that they clearly know what they are talking about, as a sign of respect that I recognize what they're talking about.

Outside of that, I rarely bow. I usually am waiting for the right person who needs me to Dominate them to submit to me *weg*.

I was in Japan for a year an a half; Bowing properly was the hardest thing to learn.

Especially since my keepers didn't seem to care all that much. They expected Americans to be hooligans.

When I am in Witch drag, I bow in the Rennaisance fashion, but- and this is important; I don't take my hat off
Scares the shit out of people to see that black cone pointing their way !
Witches don't curtsey, according to Terry Pratchett.

 

[SeaCat]

I generaly bow in greeting. I much prefer it to shaking hands. (Which comes from a combination of my upbringing and my current work.) With my facial structure it somehow doesn't seem tot ake too many people by surprise. (I have been accused on several occasions of having more than a little Mongolian Blood in my history. Hmmmmm, might be why I'm always fascinated with the oriental womans form. )

It is only with those whom I know and respect that I will touch, after a short bow. This includes family.

Cat

 

[sincerely_helene]

forefarters. ahahahahaha

 

[3113]

It depends on what you mean. Obviously, there's never been a culture that required that in any normal regular capacity

Possibly not--but when you have a culture with a hierarchy, it can become MORE normal. That is, if you're on the low rung of the ladder you end up kowtowing or kneeling to anyone of a certain rank or higher even if they're not the Emperor--just your local lord and master.

And if you're a member of the royal court (in say, Japan or ancient Egypt), or part of a religious order, then your could also end up doing a lot of it.

Interesting Stella's remark about the Ren faire as it brought back a long-lost memory. I use to work at a Ren faire that insisted on historical accuracy in costume, speech, etc, and we were rigerously taught beforehand to "reverance" those of greater rank. I happened to play the part of a woman of merchant class--money but no title.

I remember a friend from a more lax Texas Ren faire coming to visit. She was utterly amazed by the fact that as I walked on through the Ren faire just about everyone who passed by me (most of the actors at the faire were dressed as peasants) made this little bend of the knee bow. The bow was perfunctory, and in no way interfered with either of us on our way, a dip on their part, a nod on mine and we kept going.

She couldn't believe how coordinated we all were--how automatic it was to us. And, of course, when I passed those of equal or greater rank to me, I did the same. None of us even thought about it.

Interesting to think of past habits so ingrained, like the Japanese bow between Japanese, now lost. Like those little bows, or tips of the hat to ladies, etc.

 

[Equinoxe]

Possibly not--but when you have a culture with a hierarchy, it can become MORE normal. That is, if you're on the low rung of the ladder you end up kowtowing or kneeling to anyone of a certain rank or higher even if they're not the Emperor--just your local lord and master.

And if you're a member of the royal court (in say, Japan or ancient Egypt), or part of a religious order, then your could also end up doing a lot of it.

I would say strict hierarchy—being as no one on this board lives in a culture without a hierarchy—but you are right. A society like Imperial China certainly had a very different system of honorific gestures, which would have been exceedingly dramatic by our standards, compared to modern Europe or the United States, or even Japan.

Yes, those who would interact with people in high places often are obliged more frequently to take the appropriate measures of respect: sometimes, they are rewarded with positions of power, other times, they get to be the Groom of the Stool.

 

[TheEarl]

The Queen and the main body of the Royal Family.
Any royalty of other countries.
Japanese people.
My screaming fans.

The Earl

 

[jeanne_d_artois]

The Head of State of any country or their representative, as a mark of respect to the country. (even if the Head of State is a shit)

jeanne

 

[Dr_Strabismus]

The Queen and the main body of the Royal Family.
Any royalty of other countries.
Japanese people.
My screaming fans.

The Earl

If I was your fan, I'd probably scream too.