Bowing
The bow, like the curtsy, is out of fashion today since so few of us ever meet royalty. Most of us witness true bowing ——rather than the slight head nod, its democratic descendant——only in theaters and nightclubs. The bow that one gave a prince in former days and the bow that a performer gives today are at root the same gesture. Both reflect the ancient movement of lowering the head before a superior to signify respect, service, or obedience. The message of the bow is "You are greater than I am; please treat me well." Since rock stars, from "King" Elvis to today' s Prince, make real princes look impoverished, it may seem inappropriate for performers to bend at the waist to viewers. But the custom developed in times when a performer had considerably less social standing. And tradition has sustained the performer's bow even though that standing has risen dramatically . Strictly from the point of view of status, though, Michael Jackson probably should be receiving, not giving, the bows.
NOTES:
curtsy 屈膝礼
witness 目击，目睹
democratic 民主的
descendant 后裔，后代
obedience 顺从，服从
impoverished 贫穷的
standing 地位
sustain 继续，保持
"King" Elvis Presley（1935-1977） 即“猫王”，美国流行音乐歌手，摇滚乐之王，电影演员。其演唱风格、表演技巧和舞台作风奠定了现代摇滚乐的基础。
Prince 美国现代流行音乐歌手