There's currently a major flap going on over whether Obama bowed or not to the Saudi King Abdullah:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JGK-xbXxMw

I think it's pretty obvious he did indeed bow, but wonder if it's really that big of a deal. In some cultures bowing is more like a greeting or handshake rather than an oath of fealty to a sovereign lord. Hell, after living in Japan for a while I was so used to bowing that I'd do it while talking on the telephone. Does anyone know how the bow was interpreted in Saudi culture?

I can imagine a lot of people there do it on the phone once in a while.

I think Obama's bow was just an innocent gesture. Bush held hands with Abdullah, and people were upset over that too. I don't think it's a big deal.