I don't know much about Japanese culture, but I know that bowing is a pretty big deal and a sign of respect or something like that, so when Hirai and the others bowed for seven seconds I'm assuming that was a pretty big deal and something that's probably lost on a lot of people who aren't familiar.
I know Giant Bomb has a few people who are a lot more experienced with Japanese culture than I am, so am I correct in assuming that the bowing is a pretty big apology coming from the executives of a fuckhuge corporation like Sony?
Figured I would make it a blog post so people could ignore it if they wanted.
About Sony execs bowing at their press conference
I don't know much about Japanese culture, but I know that bowing is a pretty big deal and a sign of respect or something like that, so when Hirai and the others bowed for seven seconds I'm assuming that was a pretty big deal and something that's probably lost on a lot of people who aren't familiar.
I know Giant Bomb has a few people who are a lot more experienced with Japanese culture than I am, so am I correct in assuming that the bowing is a pretty big apology coming from the executives of a fuckhuge corporation like Sony?
Figured I would make it a blog post so people could ignore it if they wanted.
In the parallel universe where Sony is an American company:
Cowboy hats are tipped forward. The executives light cigars and blow smoke all over the audience. They then stand up, brandishing their assault rifles and shotguns, and say, "Let's go get them fuckin' hackers, YEE HAWW" The whole place explodes in excitement and the guns are fired at the ceiling.
I doubt anyone really cares about them bowing.
" I doubt anyone really cares about them bowing.Thats cus Tony Hayward was in charge in the biggest screw up.Tony Hayward said he was sorry tons of times but everyone knew he didn't give a fuck, same goes for Sony execs."
No, they're pretty comparable. After all, there's tons of evidence to suggest that they should've seen this coming (storing personal information as plain text, shitloads of safety violations, even when under more lenient regulations due to a flag they hung on the rig, etc.).
" @zombie2011 said:What are you talking about?" I doubt anyone really cares about them bowing.Thats cus Tony Hayward was in charge in the biggest screw up.Tony Hayward said he was sorry tons of times but everyone knew he didn't give a fuck, same goes for Sony execs."Sony just had their systems hacked, Tony Hayward had a GLOBAL CATASTROPHY to deal with.It's like a ant bite (Sony) compared to a snake bite (BP)."
From Wikipedia:
Bows are a required and expected part of any apology or expression of thanks in East Asia, especially Japan, Korea, and Taiwan .
Bows of apology tend to be deeper and last longer than other types of bow. They occur with frequency during the apology, generally at about 45 degrees with the head lowered and lasting for at least the count of three, sometimes longer. The depth, frequency and duration of the bow increases with the sincerity of the apology and the severity of the offense. Bows of thanks follow the same pattern.
Bows of apology are frequently performed at press conferences by high-ranking members of a company that has performed some misdeed, such as producing faulty parts that resulted in a death. These bows are almost invariably performed standing behind a table; the tips of the fingers touch the table while the upper body, held straight, is lowered from the waist until the face is parallel with the tabletop.
" I wouldn't call it an apology, just a greeting. "no, its not just a greeting but a sign of humility. Even if the bow is equiv to a handshake a regular handshake don't last no 7 seconds. Perhaps now, they realize they should have been spending more money on hiring more programmers instead of lawyers.
didnt watch it but if they were bowing for 7 seconds i would say they were expressing how sorry they were through a bow. can kaz hirai speak japanese?
It's a thing you do. Sort of like how Americans say "hows it going?" as a greeting and they don't actually care how it is going.
I've seen plenty of Japanese politicians and CEO's even cry while bowing and act like they are ready to commit suicide over their guilt (which actually has happened. I know at least as late as the 80's there was a politician who commited good old fashioned Seppuku with a sword and all). It's from the time when a samurai who failed would take his own life.
Kaz Hirai is billingual. His name is natively Japanese, too, although Kaz an English abbreviation for Kazuo, I believe. Anyway!" didnt watch it but if they were bowing for 7 seconds i would say they were expressing how sorry they were through a bow. can kaz hirai speak japanese? "
@JJOR64 said:
" From Wikipedia:
"
Bows are a required and expected part of any apology or expression of thanks in East Asia, especially Japan, Korea, and Taiwan .
Bows of apology tend to be deeper and last longer than other types of bow. They occur with frequency during the apology, generally at about 45 degrees with the head lowered and lasting for at least the count of three, sometimes longer. The depth, frequency and duration of the bow increases with the sincerity of the apology and the severity of the offense. Bows of thanks follow the same pattern.
Bows of apology are frequently performed at press conferences by high-ranking members of a company that has performed some misdeed, such as producing faulty parts that resulted in a death. These bows are almost invariably performed standing behind a table; the tips of the fingers touch the table while the upper body, held straight, is lowered from the waist until the face is parallel with the tabletop.
I'm glad I don't have to provide the explanation, since this covers everything I would have said. I will say in their defense, however, that it's not as though that bow is made as a "we're sorry so please forgive us because we bowed so deeply and for so long." They know full well that Sony has quite a bit of egg on its face and their bowing is a recognition of that fact. It won't mean much to non-Japanese speaking audiences, but you don't make the sort of bows that they did unless you actually mean it and are willing to back it up with repenting action. Short of outright prostrating themselves, it's about as serious of an apology they can make before they go on and try to continue rectifying the situation. Had they not done so, it would have been a pretty serious PR gaffe with their Japanese audience.
There are a lot of nuances in those bows, as the Wikipedia excerpt points out. They're hardly used in Japan as just as greeting and even then, there's always a lot more to it.
" Sony lost my trust. In my mind Microsoft won the console wars by default, and a bow isn't going to change that. "Way to dive in head first, bro.
Sony lost my trust. In my mind Microsoft won the console wars by default, and a bow isn't going to change that.I don't think that was the question at hand...
The depth and length of the bow is what shows the intention. They were way down there for a good 5 seconds. So in case you are not familiar, it's the equivalent of getting on your knees and begging forgiveness.
So, they can't really say the person did or did not access the information, just that there was no trace leading there, and that there has been no evidence nor reports of stolen credit cards.
" @xsheps said:
Derp der der derp. "" Sony lost my trust. In my mind Microsoft won the console wars by default, and a bow isn't going to change that. "
You know... I read through half of the first page thinking you guys were talking about "bowling" and I now that I see it is bowing that they did, it makes a LOT more sense that that is something to show a sign of apology/regret/etc.
" You know... I read through half of the first page thinking you guys were talking about "bowling" and I now that I see it is bowing that they did, it makes a LOT more sense that that is something to show a sign of apology/regret/etc. ""In an effort to put their customers at ease, Sony execs yesterday took to the stage and bowled for 7 minutes. Hirai San came out top, but was quick to pat his fellow apologists on the back. I may have apologised the hardest, but rest assured ALL of us at Sony will be bowling hard for the next few weeks."
" @GetEveryone said:Indee'." @xsheps said:...in an empty pool while smacking the bottom. *audible sigh* "" Sony lost my trust. In my mind Microsoft won the console wars by default, and a bow isn't going to change that. "Way to dive in head first, bro. "
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