On 5/15/2012 7:04 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
"Ed wrote in message
...

There are some old legends about a Marine officer in Tripoli, and
possibly others, refusing to bow to heads of state when they were
ordered to do so. What Tom and others should take from that is that
it is not appropriate to accept such an order or other coercion. But
in a friendly context, it is perfectly appropriate to bow as an
expression of courtesy and respect.

Ed Huntress

An associate offended visiting Saudi dignitaries at dinner by telling
them Americans had no special respect for royalty.

I'd say your associate was wrong, because when it comes to certain royal
families, specifically the British and that of Monaco, many Americans
have an inordinate fascination with them. I don't think the other
European monarchies hold much interest for most Americans, though,
although the Vatican is technically a monarchy (obviously not
hereditary) and too many people show all too much respect for it.