See... Marine officers DON'T know everything...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowing_(social)
"Bowing originated as a gesture of subordination, as lowering the head leaves the bower vulnerable. This was particularly the case in Asian cultures such as that of samurai Japan."
"Bowing to other human beings is frowned upon in Muslim cultures as all human beings are considered equal and bowing is only supposed to be done to God in Islam. Similarly, in Judaism the second of the Ten Commandments is generally interpreted to forbid bowing before anyone but God."
So, not only was obie out of protocol..... but to a muslim obie would be seen bowing as if the Saudi was allah (their "god").
I wouldn't be so sure about that. You're talking about what bowing meant in feudal Japan. It has an entirely different connotation in modern Japanese culture. One doesn't bow to another, two people bow to each other. There's a small but extremely significant difference. As I pointed it, it's now exactly like the western culture of shaking hands - nothing more. Would you say that shaking hands is a sign of submission?
When in Rome, you should do as the Romans do. When American presidents visit the wailing wall or a synagogue, they don a yarmulke. Does that mean that they're embracing Judaism as a religion? Certainly not.
As for the rest, I did NOT make the claim that Barry was correct to do what he did, nor did I claim that it didn't have cultural significance. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Please read my other posts on this subject in the thread.
The “lowering of the head” is a HUGE thing... It’s the lowering of the head that makes it SUBMISSIVE, not the bow itself...
I’m curious if you’ve ever had any Martial Arts training? Bowing to show respect is something I learned from my Sensei as a White Belt beginner in Budo Akido (years and years ago)... And, we were taught NEVER to cease eye contact with the bow, otherwise it WOULD show submission...