Am I the only one who felt uncomfortable watching video of President Trump with Prime Minister Abe of Japan? Could Abe really have enjoyed being pawed like that?
I am a believer in doing in Rome as the Romans do. If our Ambassador to England wants to bow or his wife wants to curtsy before the queen, that’s fine–when they’re in England, but not here. If our Ambassador to Japan takes his shoes off before entering a home or shrine or important building in Tokyo, I applaud the good manners. But here in the States we do it the American way.
Touching is different. At home or abroad, the queen does not allow herself to be touched, and there are rumors that Michelle Obama, early in her role of First Lady, tried to take the queen’s elbow simply in a caring way, and offended greatly. We all of us have feelings about who may touch us and who may not, but particularly with people of Japanese ancestry, the issue is (pun warning) touchy. I would far rather have seen our president or his representative standing at an appropriate distance and bowing slightly. I don’t like to be embarrassed by any sort of goings-on in Washington.
Nevertheless.blog 