I think **John Mace ** has stated truth above with his socially inept remark. GWB has gone quite far in life utilizing a style that is well-suited to the locker room, the 19th hole, or the sky-box at a baseball stadium. He apparently has never learned what my decidely blue-collar parents called “how to act” in formal situations. I’ll state again that I voted for him, but I am convinced that he doesn’t know what a formal situation is or how one should behave in one.
Exactly.
Funny you should say that - I had a few friends over for a backyard BBQ last weekend. After reading this thread, I tried to imagine how I would have felt if GWB showed up and did this either to me or my GF. I wouldn’t have appreciated either one. In fact, anyone she or I barely know comes into my backyard and does that to my GF, they’ve got some 'splaining to do. I don’t care if its the President or one of the neighbors. They do it to me and try to play it off as a “we’re just friends”, then I’ll explain that they’re good enough friends to go take care of the dirty dishes in the kitchen.
I’m not actually that uptight, I have a lot of friends I behave this way with, but they’re good friends, not casual aquaintances or people I know only by reputation.
Then again, I wonder if GWB has any real honest-to-goodness friends. I bet he doesn’t, since all his supposed friends appear to be political contacts (think Ken Lay.) All the allies he called into his administration were contacts his father had made, GWB didn’t really seem to have many on his own, other than donors or people who wanted to get close to him because of his name. If he’s never had any real friends, he probably doesn’t know any better.
I think you’re missing an important point. The gesture is only meaningful (in the sense I’m suggesting) when the people do know each other well. You’re right-- you don’t don’t do this to someone you are only casually acquainted with. Or, at a minimum, someone you just shared some personal time with-- for instance, if she and Bush had just had a private meeting immediately before this incident. It’s a sign of affection, afterall. But Bush and “Angela” supposedly get along very well and I’m sure Bush feels like he can treat her like a friend.
Just wanted to be another American who wants to go on record as being pretty damn embarrassed by this. I normally don’t pile on the “Bush is a poopypants” threads, and I don’t hate the guy as others do, but wow. Be aware of your surroundings and have some goddamn tact, will you, please?
I’m glad I didn’t vote for him. My conscience is somewhat clear.
900 or so days to go. Just gotta get to January 2009.
No, I get where you’re coming from. When it is meant sincerely, it’s between people who know each other well. As I see it, Bush was either 1. Trying a Godfather type dominance gesture 2. Trying to indicate a false level of closeness which no one would believe, but he tried it anyway, or 3. He actually meant it, because he really thinks of her as being that close to him, because he’s that clueless.
No option is preferable. I don’t think I’d want the guy at my barbecue - I think he’d make everyone feel uncomfortable. I don’t like his politics, either.
Has he done the same with his [del]wif[/del] Condi?
For some reason, I can’t see him doing this to Condi. As much as I don’t respect the Bride of Chucky, she has that don’t-fuck-around-with-me quality that I like.
I agree completely.
In my opinion, Bush went for option 3; and he probably would even defend himself with some dumb idea like “but… but… she treated me like a pal, so I just was trying to be nice to her”.
As has been stated, that sort of thing will land you a quick trip to HR for a talking-to. Maybe it’s different where you are, but in the places I’ve worked inappropriate touching is grounds for a harassment investigation.
Good lord. I’ve worked for my boss for over 6 years. I feel I know him very well, as we also have a somewhat social relationship outside of the office, as well. If he ever laid his hands on me in that manner I would be so squicked out I don’t know what I’d do. And mind you, this is someone who on occasion I’ve given a quick hug to, to say thanks or to receive a congratulations for something (like my marriage, for instance). But if he tried to massage my shoulders? No. Just. . . no. Absolutely not done.
I once had a boss who gave people shoulder rubs. I’m not used to being touched – especially by men. Tensed me right up, which I’m sure was the opposit eof his intention.
He was from Texas. I wonder if it’s a Texas Thing?
I read a story by an English writer a bit ago where the gauche American asked the formal English knight if he could call the Englishman “Sir Tony.” “Of course,” was the reply, satisfying the American need to be on a first name basis, and the English need to be addressed with perfect politeness.
Aargh! See my nitpick - post #24. The only heads of state at the G-8 were Chirac, Putin, and Bush.
Sorry, for some reason, that is just bugging the fuck out of me today.
I realize that you’re literally foaming at the mouth here, but “cocksuckers?”
Personally, I view a “cocksucker” in the same way as Lenny Bruce and resent the slam against those nice enough to engage in such a generous and wonderful act, and I find the expression of homophobia sad, but unsurprising from such an unpleasant and hate-filled individual.
“You are a sad small man. You have my pity.”
-Buzz LightyearBush is not her boss. They don’t even work for the same “company”.
It’s a gesture that is only appropriate in an informal, social situation. I don’t think Bush knows the difference between work and a backyard BBQ.
First it was gazing into Putin’s eyes. Next is giving “Angela” a backrub. What’s next? French-kissing Blair? And for the following summit hot, sweaty man-on-man sex with Chirac?
That’s “freedom-kissing” that he’s doing with Blair.
Puts a whole different spin on the “Coalition of the Willing.”
Fairly pathetic attempt at distraction. Nobody is interested in the hundredth observation that epithets if taken literally might mean something else. I would also recommend that you avoid watching the HBO show Deadwood.
I’m pretty comfortable that most people here, if they know my posting history at all, will not conclude that I am homophobic. I’m also very sorry for you if you, being so literal, assume that cocksucking must be an act of homosexuality. Please, go beg your wife. Maybe she’ll show you, and you’ll lighten up.
If you want to try to be clever, at least get the quote right, dipshit. How embarrassing. Obviously your children didn’t wear out the DVD of Toy Story.
No, it’s not.
From back in 2004 (sorry, the link I had is no longer active):
I’m American, and my program manager does the neck rub thing to me (man-on-man). It creeps me out, but I understand where it’s coming from (an attempt to feign closeness). IMO it’s totally inappropriate in the office, in diplomatic situations, and pretty much every other public setting.
BTW: You can put a Bush countdown clock on your homepage. Just include the following in your html:
<!–BEGIN CLOCK–>
<iframe height=“235” width=“340” frameborder=“0” marginheight=“0” marginwidth=“0” scrolling=“no” src=“http://www.backwardsbush.com/includes/publicClock.php”/></iframe>
<!–END CLOCK–>