From a Chinese friend of mine regarding Hu/Bush

[NewJeffCT]

My wife got home too late last night and was too tired, so I didn't want to grill her on cultural insults...

But, I had a brief chat on Yahoo with a good friend of hers, also Chinese and this is what she had to say: (please forgive her spelling, English is her 2nd language)

1) regarding the jacket pulling inicident:
X: I think it's bad, especially in public
X: if the two persons are very close, it's ok, but ...
X: if it's me, I will be mad

On calling China by Taiwan's name, she only said "that's ridiculous" and thought it was on purpose.

X: BTW, Mr. Bush's transalator is also bad

[mapatriot]

1. Confused

What "is bad"?

"if the two persons are very close, it's OK, but.." What's "OK"?

[NewJeffCT]

3. pulling on his jacket

sorry, I should have clarified.

[mapatriot]

5. Ahhh...OK

That makes sense. Hu didn't look too pleased either. Between that, the protestor and the screw-up in the anthem announcement, Hu must think the administration is a bunch of morons. What a second.....that would make him correct!!

[wtmusic]

2. Hmm -- the same as it is in the US

Why would anyone grab someone else, with whom they were not on very familiar terms, by the coat sleeve (unless they were a spoiled frat brat who was never taught manners)?

[NewJeffCT]

7. well, it could be a bigger insult at that level

Me, I wouldn't get too bent out of shape... but I'm an accountant. However, when 2 world leaders are meeting, it's a whole different thing.

[wtmusic]

8. Yep

Every seemingly trivial gesture takes on added significance.

Although I'm sure protocol in these kinds of situations is spelled out in excruciating detail, this is such a fundamental, obvious courtesy that one shouldn't have to learn it (or rather, one should have learned it by the age of 8).

I can't help but be reminded of Tiger's gaffe in claiming he putted like a "spaz", the major difference being that Tiger apologized. If W had the humility to apologize his ratings would go up 3 points. He doesn't.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

4. What particular offenses...

... was this in reference to?
X: I think it's bad, especially in public
X: if the two persons are very close, it's ok, but ...
X: if it's me, I will be mad

[NewJeffCT]

6. I edited the post for clarity

but, the jacket pulling incident.