The custom is greetings while bowing heads. This custom is cultural and highly respected. Greeting is a crucial part of expressing respect to others. In my culture, young person must greet an elder first when they meet. The child must say hello father or hello mother, according to a person’s house. The child must bow their head down when greeting elders and remove off their hat if they are boys. There are different types of bowing in the culture I belong. One ought to lower their head slightly, and the other is to completely blowing which make your whole head and back to bend till ones see your feet beneath one's feet. The difference between the two is that:
The first person to lower their head is a sign of respect to the elders; this is a cultural practice which has been accepted by the community. The second method is the one in which a person completely bows his head and his back. This bowing of the head is for the worship of God. In some cultures, it is out of respect for elders too.
Bowing heads in a culture that I belong is a sign of humility and inferiority. We must bow heads to male elders and more so those that who have a place of honors within the community. We believe the older became the wiser one get and that wiser person deserves a great deal of deference and respect. Everybody in the community ought to observe maximum respect to everyone. Children bow their heads when greeting elders and this respect extend to homes. For example, when an elderly person is in the house, a seated kid must rise for him to sit especially if there is no other available seat.
The reason I compare the difference in bowing of heads is because others do so for greetings and for other different reason which are different from those of ours. Bowing in their community was for greetings in introduction, show of respect and apology.
It is common to give a little 10° nod of the head and shoulders to greet a friend. A similar gesture can be used to say goodbye.
In both formal and casual introductions it required one to bow 30° with your upper body. It is a requirement to maintain an upright position of your shoulders and the hands. For example, when introducing a person to the new leader. In other cultures, only a handshake is required in such introductions.
Bows of Respect,
A bow is an expression of humility similar to that in the community I belong. It always indicates respect to older and respectable members in the society. In addition, other people will show respect through spitting. For example, when a baby is born, an elderly woman will spit on them. To some cultures such custom is disgusting
Martial Arts Bows
Martial art bow is a salute, made when entering or leaving a holy place, bow to a senior student, a person who is training someone or a teacher. Their martial arts have their own conventions of bowing. High respect shown to the teachers is a part of the art. It is also important to show respect to your opponent. Respect is shown to a person in command
A Bow of Thanks,
If one is allowed to go ahead of someone in aqua, it is common that they will give a shallow bow of the head in thanks. It is even common for automobile drivers to bow to each other for small courtesies. At present giving ceremony, it is common that one will bow their head as a sign of appreciation.
At weddings, it is ordinary for the bride to give an emotional speech to her parents to thank them for all their support. Here, a bride bows as she presents her mother with flowers. During the wedding, a father spits on his daughter, but this is a sign of blessing and also to bring good luck and fortune to the marriage.
Mild Apology
A mild apology involves a bow with the head of 10°. This can be used if one bump into a stranger or because a minor inconvenience to someone. For example, if someone wrongs the other person they are required to seek for an apology. The person will show he accept the apologies through bowing back or saying that it is okay.
Regular Apology
If, your leader is not pleased because of something one did 45° bow of the upper body is in order. Hold the bow for 5 second and apologize for the mistake committed. For example, "I am sorry I was late.’’ Such bow indicates that one regret the mistake. The boss should be able to forgive that offence.
Serious Apology
Assuming one is a company CEO and releases a defective product. At a press conference where they may be require to explain, they may apologize with a long 45° bow of the upper body. It may be appropriate to hold the bowing position for 15 or 20 seconds. Then they should go ahead and apologize. For example, "I am sincerely sorry for that mistake. The bow show that it is a regrettable that one never meant to commit.
Panic Apology
It is critical for people to make an apology in case because an accident while working. For example, “I’m sorry that that has happened." They may do a 45° bow over and again to show how sorry one is. All repeated bow count on how sorry the person is.
The customs and rituals surrounding ways of greetings often vary from one country to country and from one culture to the other. Customs that are not familiar will always be confusing to a person of a different culture. It will be more confusing when different gestures are expressed from male to male, female to female and even from male to female. Some will find it as a culture shock.
In some communities, the accepted way of saluting the elderly is bowing more when greeting them, this is preferred than giving a casual handshake or even a hug. In others, close male friends or colleagues hug and kiss both cheeks while in others will shake hands with the right hand without showing close body contact. They shake hands for long but without doing it firmly.
Among the Muslim community, contact between the different genders in public is considered obscene. In some situation, they do not shake the hand with the opposite gender. Gestures are used differently and have more than one meaning in different cultures. It is necessary for one to be cautious when using different gestures. Failure to do so one can end up misleading or being abusive to others since the world is full of diversities.
It will be necessary to show respect to all different for their handwork as well as appreciating them for their worth as humans. This can be done using any gestures that are acceptable within that culture.
