Would you shake Dubya's hand?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I know someone who had a chance to meet the President and the Pope during the Pope’s recent visit to the US. This friend was very excited to meet them. I haven’t caught up with him since the event, but I’m sure he was thrilled, and has a great story as well as some pictures that he and his family will treasure for generations.

I’ve been wondering how I’d react at such an occasion.

I’m not a catholic, so while I’m not a follower of the Pope, I would treat him with all the respect required by protocol if we ever met. An unlikely event, but I have no reason to be rude.

As far as our current president goes - well, let’s just say I have strong feelings that are incompatible with being polite and respectful around him. (I recognize that feeling as I do, if an invitation to this While House arrives on my doorstep via a crack in the barrier between our universe and the mirror universe, I should politely decline.) Chewing him out in front of a foreign dignitary - let alone a head of state and the religious leader of over one billion people - is an etiquette no-no. So I figured I would just refuse to shake his hand. Yes, in front of the Vicar of Christ, if it came to that. If no other heads of state were around, I’d tell him what I really thought of him[sup]1[/sup].

Well, I think that’s the tack I’d take. I’d probably chicken out at the last second, even as he gives me a lame frat nickname like “fat boy” or “jew boy” or “six eyes”[sup]2[/sup].

My question to my fellow Dopers is - would you shake the hand of President George W. Bush? Also say whether your a supporter or not, or if you have special circumstances (I’m thinking that active duty military personnel have to hold their tongues to keep their jobs). Let’s try to keep this out of GD or the Pit, I just want your humble opinion. Non-US Dopers please chime in as well - your perspective should be interesting also.

Do you behave respectfully to the man in the office, if the man has not behaved respectably while in the office? After living through JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Dubya I would say not just no, but BLEEP no to my own question[sup]3[/sup].

Mods, feel free to move this thread wherever you think it belongs at any given moment.

[sup]1[/sup]Send letters to Typo Knig, Prisoner Number 31415926 c/o Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba

[sup]2[/sup]I have reading AND distance glasses. The other two potential nicknames are also appropriate, if less than polite.

[sup]3[/sup]I am nearly old enough for an AARP membership, and there has not been a president in my lifetime who I can respect. No wonder the country is in trouble.

2

I would and I despise the man and his policies.

3

It depends. If I’m holding a job where I’m expected to follow protocol, and the protocol is to greet the POTUS in a civil manner, then I do so. I took the job knowing I might have to shake the hand of such slimy politicians.

Otherwise, if for some reason I find that asshole’s hand fluttering in front of me, hell no, I’m not taking it.

4

I would nod politely but, with a steely glare, ignore his outstretched hand.

An earlier thread that may be of interest: "Respect for the Office": What does this mean to you? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board

5

I would shake someone’s hand because I have decent manners. Doesn’t mean I don’t think the guy’s a snake.

I would kiss a pope’s ring because it appears that’s what people do. If there was a specific thing to do when greeting the Dalai Lama, or Queen Elizabeth, or whoever, then I would do that thing. It’s only polite- why be an asshole?

6

What she said. ^^^ I was raised properly.

7

I choose this answer.

8

Would I shake the President’s hand? Probably. The only reason I can think of that I wouldn’t would be if, say, he’d just finished giving a speech about how gay couples are destroying the basis of our society or something, and in that case I’d be busy wondering what I was doing there, anyway. I hate his politics, but he is still a person.

Would I kiss the Pope’s ring, or bow to the Queen, or what have you? No, because that’s a gesture of subservience, and they’re not better people than I am. Well, they might be, but not because they’re Pope or Queen. If it was appropriate I’d offer a handshake, if not, I’d just greet them politely with words.

9

Can I give him the stinky hand like in “Mallrats”?

10

I would shake his hand.

11

I would, especially since I essentially have no problem with the man.

12

Now I’ve had my quota of sanctimonious BS for the day, thanks! I guess helping out your neighbor (cube neighbor requesting a favor at lunchtime) is beyond the scope of the parental teachings, eh?

13

God, no. It might be catching.

14

I’d suddenly (or not so suddenly) find I had somewhere else to be, so it wouldn’t come up.

15

I would.
Unless he sneezed in it and I saw him.
Then I’d just nod politely and give him a “What can you do?” shrug.

16

I’d offer him my hand… and then yank it back to smooth my hair. I might even say, “Psych!”.

Then I’d be cool.

17

I’d probably shake his hand and then ask him some pointed questions.

18

I have little to lose, so no. FUCK no. I’d make as much of a scene as I could before the Secret Service dragged me away for a prolonged chat… The Popey-wopey? Same. Queen of England…hm. She had less choice (not none) in the matter, and she isn’t as actively nasty, so I would just politely decline.

Good prisoner number, Typo Knig! Wanna know what Sideshow Bob’s is? :slight_smile:

19

I feel nothing but scorn and contempt for both the pope and Bush. I’d shake their hands if they extended to me first, but I would not go out of my way to meet either of them. No ring- or hem-kissing from me.

20

Were I involved in some activity where I was required to be in his presence, I’d shake his hand.

If my presence were not required, I wouldn’t go near the man.

If I were minding my own business and he came up to me, probably not.