Obama Won Hearts Holding His Own Umbrella

President Barack Obama won the hearts and minds of the Chinese people with a simple gesture of carrying his own umbrella.
Mr. Obama held the umbrella firmly in his left hand, as he stepped off Air Force One on arrival in Shanghai on November 15, 2009.
Ellen Zhu, writer at The Wall Street Journal, wrote that in a country where officials often have flunkeys to hold their umbrellas, the image of a U.S. president keeping his own head dry was poignant
Chinese media captured the moment. The fact that Chinese officials do not carry their own umbrellas has attracted criticism from the Chinese public, and invited comparisons with official custom in the West.
However, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, does carry his own umbrella, especially when showing up to comfort victims of natural disasters.
Ellen Zhu also wrote:
The women’s section of popular Web site Netease.com has declared that the umbrella issue has become a vital standard in judging the character of a man. The site is promoting a feature that seeks "A True Man of Obama Style." It said, "Obama is a responsible person. He is in a high position but he doesn’t abuse power. That little gesture of holding umbrella is very charming," it said.
Mr. Obama caused quite a stir when bowing to Japan's Emperor Akhito. A handshake was all that was required. The Japanese do not typically expect foreigners to bow and are often surprised when one is attempted.
Mr. Obama bowed way down at a 45-degree angle, indicating in that culture and apparently in the eyes of many others, subservience to the emperor, the son of the man who authorized the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.
Mr. Obama has been criticized for other political gaffes when visiting other world leaders. As a neophyte, Mr. Obama is learning while on the job.
Although bowing may not have been appropriate to the Japanese Emperor, it may be perfectly acceptable as Mr. Obama attempts to show respect for other world leaders.
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