The height of etiquette: Michelle Obama towers over Japanese emperor

DM ^

[traumer]

Michelle Obama has had an awkward start to her visit to Japan as she was pictured towering over Emperor Akihito and stumbling as she tried to bow, shake his hand and curtsey at once.

The First Lady, dressed in a florid combination of a blazer and skirt, dwarfed the Emperor in her silver stilettos, while he maintained his composure and smiled politely. She then squatted slightly while shaking his hand, seemingly trying to disguise the difference of height between them.

Mrs Obama, who is 5ft 9in tall, also caused embarrassment earlier in the day when she grabbed Akie Abe, wife of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a hug-and-handshake combination while the Japanese First Lady was trying to bow.

[Tax-chick]

Most people wouldn’t know the protocol for greeting a Japanese dignitary or the Prime Minister of Turkey. That’s why the State Department employs people who DO know these things.

Of course, it’s rather like owning a dictionary that you’re too egotistical to open, as Robert so wisely observed.

[TontoKowalski]

Well, I went to the link, and one thing's for sure.

The FR Fashion Police are going to be all over her for wearing a suit made from leftover sofa fabric.

The more she tries to be a trend-setter, the more she looks like a clown.

[WayneS]

I’ve heard his worshippers say he’s over 6’ tall.

So someone is lying about someone’s height.

Either Michelle Obama is about 6’3” tall or Barry is nowhere near 6’

[Batman11]

Emperor Akihito’s wife to him: “Why is she dressed like a 1950’s couch?”

[LadyBuck]

Holy Sofa Slipcovered Caboose!

[Patriot Babe]

Why does she spread her legs wide apart like that? sheesh

[MrB]

“OMG! She’s a Giant!”

(your wife’s a bigfoot, Gus)

[Tax-chick]

Mrs. Abe’s jacket is gorgeous. Probably cost as much as my car.

[Batman11]

Emperor Akihito’s wife to him: “Why are we meeting with Rick James?”

[Haiku Guy]

When you are in Japan, you are going to get it wrong, no matter what. The social graces are foreign and very very subtle, so there is no way you are going to get it right.

What counts, if you are a foreigner, is that you make a good effort. If you are just winging it, you are being very rude because you have not made an effort.

[trisham]

Most people wouldn’t know the protocol for greeting a Japanese dignitary or the Prime Minister of Turkey. That’s why the State Department employs people who DO know these things.

Of course, it’s rather like owning a dictionary that you’re too egotistical to open, as Robert so wisely observed.

*****************************

Quite right!

[Tax-chick]

Oh, I see, that’s Empress Michiko.

[rfreedom4u]

She doesn’t want to squash her balls.

[rfreedom4u]

Did she get that dress from the wardrobe of Aunt Esther?

[LadyBuck]

She flunked cotillion.

[WayneS]

Okay. That was funny.

[surrey]

She’s worn some really horrific outfits but those two take the prize. They look like the drapes from a cheap motel.

[Haiku Guy]

Mrs. Abe’s jacket is gorgeous. Probably cost as much as my car.

Provided you drive a very nice car...

[llevrok]

Can I ask a stupid question?
How is it that we have to pay for Michelle Obama to go to Japan, on what seems like some sort of official visit?

It's called Spring Break for their daughters (on our dime). They've done it every year since they've been in the WH. Always "grand" and always with more than one aircraft for the en tourage.

[BenLurkin]

Gojira!