Bowing: questions and Band 8 answers

Not really, no. In the UK, it’s far more common to shake hands or just give a quick nod. The only time I’ve ever really bowed was at the end of a school play years ago when the whole cast took a curtain call.

Well, I suppose it depends entirely on where you are. In places like Japan or South Korea, it's a fundamental part of daily etiquette for greeting people. Over here, though, it’s mostly reserved for formal performances, martial arts, or perhaps meeting royalty.

Yes, actually. A few years ago, I took a karate class at my local leisure centre, and we had to bow to our instructor before every single session. It felt a bit awkward at first, but it quickly became second nature.

A little bit in history lessons, to be honest. We were taught how court manners worked in the past, with people curtseying and bowing deeply to monarchs. It seemed very theatrical to me as a child, completely detached from modern everyday life.

I doubt it, especially in cultures where it carries deep cultural significance. Globalisation might make greetings a bit more casual, but traditional gestures tend to endure. For instance, my cousin works in Tokyo and says formal bowing is still going strong in business meetings.