COMMENTS:
It's a bit of a cultural difference, to be honest. Down South and out West, a man thinks little about slapping a friend on the back or giving him a gentle tug on the arm to point him the right way. As Dubya thinks of himself as a Texan (whether he actually is or not), I don't believe he found anything strange about this behavior. However, to the Chinese (and Japanese, for that matter), this would come across as rather rude and disrespectful.
Personally, if I've a close buddy, I'd not think twice about doing what Bush did, but I doubt I'd do the same to a Chinese politician whom I knew only formally. So, Dubya's main sin was failing to read the social context of the situation properly.
I would've stepped over quickly, looped my arm about his shoulders and guided him right personally.
Breach of protocol.
At certain levels of office, officials are expected to know the difference between what is acceptable at official State Functions and what is permissable at a Pig-Pickin' party.
It is not considered respectful. It is unlikely to pressure China to make human rights concessions if one is disrespecting them all together. But then again, its not like Hu the dictator respects the people of the so-called people's republic. His human rights record is shocking.
Also, it is interesting that everyone accuses Bush of being stupid for heading toward a wrong door while in China, but when Hu heads toward wrong steps while in the US- people see it differently, a small mistake in a foreign country of which one would be unfamiliar of.
The double standard is shocking.
I'm not sure if I thought that it was another proof of Bush's stupidity when he tried to walk through a locked door, but I confess, I thought it was funny.
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