In Martial Arts bowing isnt just a oriental sign of respect, it's much like we do in the United States with shaking hands. Alot of people in the oriental culture nowdays shake hands, instead of bowing towards eachother. Does that mean they've adopted OUR way of respect?? NO.. Bowing is just a sign of respect. If done properly that is. I've seen wayy to many martial arts abuse the bow by dipping there heads up and down then proceeding to whatever it is they were doing.
Many cultures abrace the bow and different signs of respect. Some cultures they scream as a sign of respect towards eachother, others they'll actually make physical contact (no I dont mean handshakes) as a sign of respect. It all depends on the culture.
But I do think the bow should be emphasized and practiced properly... Otherwise and truthfully 90% of all arts are disgracing eachother in disrespect by not bowing properly.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE RESPECT FOR EACHOTHER.....
call me old fashion... but that's my opinion
UPdate* I shouldn've used eastern cultures instead of oriental, that's my mistake and I apologize. In any case EVERY culture has a way of addressing respect towards eachother. Bowing is just one in a hundred ways.