If you are in a situation where following proper etiquette would require you to be extremely rude, what should you do?
For example, if you for some reason are required to bow to someone to show respect, would you do it, even if it meant actually insulting him?
Would you insult someone by calling him sir, just because it is the proper thing to do?

I read the situation.

If that's not possible, i say screw it and to hell with what they think.

Yes, but even if the situation requires it, i could never insult someone by bowing to him.
Unless i do look down on him.
And then i would have no reason to try to be polite...

Are you saying for example if I was in a setting, with a large group of people and it's considered customary and polite to bow to a guest, but to that guest it would be insulting, would I do it?

Depending on the importance of and how well I know the person will probably be a huge influence on my actions.

If we are alone, then why bother with it? I don't think I'm being impolite by not doing so because it will only insult them.

Does my reasoning make sense..? 😕

Quote from MasamiAkane

Are you saying for example if I was in a setting, with a large group of people and it's considered customary and polite to bow to a guest, but to that guest it would be insulting, would I do it?

Depending on the importance of and how well I know the person will probably be a huge influence on my actions.

If we are alone, then why bother with it? I don't think I'm being impolite by not doing so because it will only insult them.

Does my reasoning make sense..? 😕

what i am saying is that that person would think it polite to bow, and would probably expect you to do so. He would probably be insulted if you did not.
But if you were to bow, it would be insulting him, from your point of view.

As an example:
In your culture it is considered a soical faux pas to throw shit on someone, but in another culture, you are expected to.
So, whould you insult him by doing it, and let him think you respect him?
or would you show that you respect him by not doing it, and let him think you insult him?

I'm really indecisive, I'd probably start to bow then change my mind and stop halfway, messing the whole thing up and end up insulting him from both our points of view. 🙁

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