奧巴馬向日本天皇鞠躬

Barack Obama bows while meeting Emperor Akihito of Japan in Tokyo, 14 November 2009.

誰說美國人對其地位高枕無憂了？巴拉克·奧巴馬總統(tǒng)給日本明仁天皇（右）深鞠躬引發(fā)了美國媒體對外交禮儀的瘋狂爭論。他只是出于禮貌？或者他已經(jīng)叛國了？他以向一個1945年臣服于美國的一隅小國的頭領自降身份來摧毀全宇宙的最高政府？

Whoever said that the Americans were relaxed about status? President Barack Obama's deep bow to Emperor Akihito of Japan (right) has sent the US media into a frenzied debate on protocol. Was Obama merely being polite or had he committed treason and demeaned the highest office in the universe by deferring to the head of state of a county that surrendered to the US in 1945?

奧巴馬確實有過“前科”。今年年初，在20國峰會時他給沙特阿拉伯的阿卜杜拉國王（King Abdullah ）（圖右）深鞠躬。但是后來他的一位助手聲稱那不是一個正確的鞠躬：“他只是用他的兩只手握住了國王的手。因為他太高了，他不得不彎下腰來。”然而奇怪的是，奧巴馬在倫敦會見女王時并沒有費心彎下腰來，并不是我們妄自尊大地評論的那種。

Obama does have form on this. Earlier this year, he bowed deeply to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the G20 conference, though an aide later declared it wasn't a proper bow, "he was just grasping the king's hand with both his hands and had to bend over to do it as he was so much taller". Curiously, though, Obama didn't bother to bow to the Queen on the same visit to London. Not that we're snitty about it.

戈登·布朗或許了解奧巴馬的感受。在榮軍紀念日那天，他沒有將勁脖子從右側低下來而顯得對紀念碑不敬，而正確的訪求是將脖子從垂直的位置盡量向前伸。

Gordon Brown probably knows how Obama feels, having got it in the neck from the rightwing press for failing to show sufficient respect at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day by not moving his neck sufficiently far forward from the vertical position.

所以，正確的步驟是什么呢？根據(jù)規(guī)范生活禮儀的英國機構德布雷特（Debrett's）一位發(fā)言人：“與一位皇家成員初次會面時，應該垂下頭或肩膀，目光也要迅速低下去。動作需快速，不要太夸張。離開時應該重復一下這個動作。”

So what is the correct procedure? According to a spokeswoman from Debrett's, "a man should bend his head from the neck or shoulders while briefly lowering the eyes on first meeting a member of the royal family. The movements should be brief and not overstated and should be repeated on leaving."

德布雷特機構沒有指導如何給一位非英國皇家成員的人鞠躬。遺憾的是，英國外交部（the Foreign and Commonwealth Office）也沒有。“我一點頭緒都沒有。”一位外交部發(fā)言人笑著說，“我以后再答復你。”她沒有。因此你必須假定為你選擇的鞠躬的程度完全取決與你想要得到什么回報。下面是你的選擇：

Debrett's offers no guidance on bowing to anyone who is not British royalty. Unfortunately, neither does the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. "I haven't a clue," a spokeswoman laughs. "I'll get back to you." She doesn't. So you have to assume that the size of the bow you choose to make depends entirely on the favours you are hoping to get in return. Here are your options:

奧巴馬式深鞠躬：腿要挺直，頭和身體與地面平行。（參見：日本明仁天皇）

The Obama Full Bow Legs straight, body and head horizontal (cf emperor of Japan).

奧巴馬式不鞠躬：同上，但十指要與對方相扣。（參見：阿卜杜拉國王）

The Obama Non Bow Same as above, only with your fingers crossed (cf King Abdullah).

柔道式鞠躬：同上，只不過試圖幾秒后“扳倒”對方。

The Judo Bow Same as above, only you try to pulp your opponent seconds later.

歌劇式鞠躬：同上，只不過右手拿一個大手帕，努力站直的時候好擦前額的汗。（譯注：演完歌劇后要長時間謝幕。）

The Operatic Bow Same as above, only with a giant hankie in your right hand to wipe the sweat off your forehead after the exertion of returning to the vertical.

羅馬教皇式深鞠躬：完全臥倒，同時親吻機場的跑道。大部分人乘坐完歐洲最大的廉價航空“Ryanair-瑞安航空”后使用。

Full Papal Bow Fully prostrate, while kissing the runway. Used by most of us after a Ryanair flight.

英國式鞠躬：干凈利落地點一下頭，同時保持淡定。

The British Bow A neat bend of the head from the neck, used while maintaining a stiff upper lip.