To Bow or Not to Bow, How Do You Answer That Question?

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I just read a post here on myLot about refusing to bow to intimidation, which I wholeheartedly agree with. While I admire the writer's confidence and inner strength, I wasn't sure if I understood his depiction of bowing. He seemed to say all bowing indicated supplication or subservience. I do not feel this is the case. Depending on the culture, bowing is the equivalent of a handshake and not an act of supplication. When my Asian friends and I bow to one another we are simply being polite. When I bow to Mrs. Lee when paying my check at my favorite Korean restaurant, I am showing respect to the owner of the establishment and a lady who is my elder. When stage performers bow to the audience they do it in grateful acknowledgement of the audiences applause. There are times when I believe bowing is inappropriate. I do not think bowing to royalty is appropriate. The whole concept of royalty should have been retired after the Renaissance. The idea that royals are chosen by God to lead their countries is a polite myth, but only a myth. They are royals because their ancestors killed their way to the throne. To me, that is not a person to be bowed to. Royals are more of a tourist attraction than functional government officials in most developed countries these days. Having said that, bowing is not always an act of self-debasement. More often, it is a way to show someone deserving of it honor and respect. If you are unwilling to show respect to others who have earned it, why should you expect anyone to show respect for you? As I often tell my students, respect must be earned, not demanded, and once lost, is very hard to earn back. Here is the post I mentioned. The writer makes some very good points