Gesture of respect, or political fubar?

I'm curious to know who is giving the President advice on protocol.

Seeing as how he also bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia back in April at the G20, this seems to fit in with his 'idiom' thus far.

I understand what the conservatives are saying (as the President, he shouldn't do anything other than offer the firm handshake of equals), but surely we might consider that he is making gestures of respect to his fellow heads-of-state. I think it's quite generous of him.

For heaven's sake, he's the "leader of the free world" - what's that line from Henry V... ?

Henry: "O Kate, nice customs curtsy to great kings. Dear Kate, you and I cannot be confined within the weak list of a country's fashion: we are the makers of manners, Kate; and the liberty that follows our places stops the mouth of all find-faults..."

I wonder if others (in Saudia Arabia and Japan, for instance) think he's being condescending or do they find the gesture gracious?

I seem to recall being told, somewhere somewhen, that Americans especially and specifically shouldn't bow or curtsey to the Queen of England. Being a 'monarchist' in my hobby, I would find it impossible not to curtsey ~ it's habit, now.*

* Actually, when the King and Queen of Sweden visited the American Swedish Institute some years ago, I couldn't help but dip a small curtsey as they passed me in a doorway ... the King actually looked as if caught by surprise (which, perhaps, he was).