Bow, Shake or Kneel

As a youngster, I was taught to treat others with respect. The golden rule of treating others as you want to be treated holds true in most circumstances. However, I have come to believe a better rule is to treat others the way they want to be treated. If you treat them with respect and treat them with integrity and in a manner consistent with their desires, you will in turn be treated with equal respect.

I said usually. Some people are self centered and oblivious to the needs and desires of others and are just not going to respect you. Often they don't even respect themselves. Some are just rude and so be it.

Heads of state are different, though. If the POTUS and PM of GB meet, as allies I think it appropriate to treat each other as equals or at least with a measure of respect. However, it is never appropriate for a head of state of any nation to bow to a royal of any other sovereign nation. I know their are cultural instances when it may be a sign of respect to bow to one another, but to bow to a king is to render oneself subservient. If you are the head of a nation, you render your nation subservient. The US is subservient only to God and we don't even get that right half the time.

When the POTUS meets with a third world dictator, I think it depends on the meeting as to whether a handshake is appropriate. In private meetings, if the meeting is congenial, a handshake may be appropriate. To seal an agreement, a handshake may be appropriate, but it is on the terms of the POTUS. It would not be appropriate in public.

Our president has a lot to learn about being the most powerful man in the world. He rules because our God has put him there and he serves at His pleasure. Hopefully God will teach him. If he will listen.