1.

Give an account of the Japanese mania for bowing as described by George Mikes.ORWhat is unique about bowing in Japan?ORWhat are the views of George Mikes about Japanese ‘mannerism of bowing’?

Answer»

According to George Mikes, as soon as we land in Japan, the first thing we notice is bowing is so ubiquitous in Japan. The writer comments that it is the mania of the Japanese. He remarks that everyone keeps bowing to everybody else with the ceremonious solemnity of a courtier yet with a great deal of natural and inimitable grace. If two Japanese bow, as a rule, neither is to straighten up before the other stands erect in front of him. He states that bowing is quainter, more formal, and more oriental and also infectious.

Besides, he also says that the Japanese follow a complicated hierarchy in bowing. This system decides who bows to whom, how deeply and for how long. Though it is a little complicated to us, the Japanese manage it without difficulty and subtly and reflect in their bowing even the smallest difference in rank, standing, age, and social position in a split second.

Apart from saying that the Japanese follow a complicated hierarchy in their bowing, the author says that the Japanese follow certain basic rules inside the family. 

They are the wife bows to her husband, the child bows to his father, younger brothers to elder brothers and the sister bows to all brothers of whatever age.

In Japanese stores, bowing girls stand at the top of escalators and their only duty is to bow deeply and deferentially to all and sundry. The ticket checking conductors on the fast Tokaido Line, march to the middle of the coach and bow ceremoniously in both directions before checking the tickets.

At Nara, a deer created the impression that it bowed to the author.



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