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Business Etiquette: Bowing Throughout Asia, the bow is a gesture of humility and respect. In Japan, it is practically an art form, and to most other Asians, it is an integral part of social and business etiquette learned at a very young age. It can be executed slowly and deeply to give "great face" to the ruler of a country, or it can just be a quick nodding of the head while sidestepping. The action of the bow comes from the waist. Keep your back and head straight, in line with each other. Men, put your hands at your sides with the palm flat against your thighs. Ladies, you have a choice and may do whichever you find more natural to you. You may place your hands in front, overlapping one another in what I call the "fig-leaf" position, or you may keep your hands on your sides as the men do. Remember that you are not Gary Cooper at the O.K. Corral, so your legs should not be wide apart. Your feet should be an inch or two away from each other, side by side, but not smack up against one another or you will lose your balance and wobble. The speed of the bow depends upon the situation. The slower and deeper the bow, the greater deference you are showing to the person to whom you are bowing. Be sure to look at the floor - no peeking or craning your neck, you might get a crick in it. Generally, if you are bowed to first by an Asian you should always return it. The reason is that you shouldn't make any assumptions and automatically bow to any Asian-looking customer walking through your doors. It might just be my fifth-generation American son coming in through the door. Next: What If Someone Bows to You First?
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