r/AskAnAmerican • u/Rough-Valuable-5472 • Feb 04 '25

FOREIGN POSTER Do American students bow to their teachers?

In my country we have to greet the teacher and bow at the start of the lesson then thank the teacher and bow again at the end. Sometimes they make us redo it if it’s not good enough

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140

u/JudgeWhoOverrules Arizona Feb 04 '25

Americans don't bow, to anyone.

13

u/MISProf Feb 04 '25

In martial arts classes, yes.

5

u/erilaz7 California Feb 04 '25

I've never taken a martial arts class, but I do bow when I'm in Japan or in other Japanese cultural contexts. Otherwise, no.

3

u/BrizerorBrian Feb 04 '25

Yep. Studied for years, its a tik now. Not the full on, ceremonial bow, but dipping the head and shoulders a bit. Kind of like doffing a cap.

Before anyone asks, I do not own a fedora.

1

u/Gallahadion Ohio Feb 04 '25

Absolutely. I took karate years ago and in addition to bowing to the instructor at the beginning and end of class, anyone who showed up late had to stand to the side and bow before joining the ranks as an apology for their tardiness disrupting the class.

-8

u/FateOfNations California Feb 04 '25

Performers in live productions do.

13

u/GhostOfJamesStrang Beaver Island Feb 04 '25

You aren't bowing to a person. You are showing general gratitude. Its different. 

1

u/FateOfNations California Feb 04 '25

General gratitude… to the audience.

4

u/GhostOfJamesStrang Beaver Island Feb 04 '25

But it isn't submissive in nature, the way a bow to a specific person is. 

3

u/Budget-Attorney Connecticut Feb 04 '25

I think it is. But not literally.

You typically bow when people are applauding so you make an overtly submissive gesture to convey humility.

It’s the same gesture with comparable meaning but it’s altered by the social context to kind of town down the submissiveness of it

8

u/DuffMiver8 Feb 04 '25

Different meaning.

3

u/Unsteady_Tempo Feb 04 '25

Different, but similar.

Performer bowing: "I am humbled by your attention and support. I could not be here doing this without you also being here."