I have to admit, although Pres. Bush didn't have bad intentions, I don't like it when people do it to me. I'm a male. Sometimes when my boss comes up behind me he does that. He actually does it to everybody. He's not gay, so I guess it's his way of saying hello, but I hate it.
Some do react that way. Perhaps you should let your boss know?
If Merkel did not like it, I'm sure she would tell President Bush privately. You understand why your boss does it..perhaps she understands why Bush did it..whether she like it or not...feeling harassed does not seem to be an issue with her.
Has anyone thought (listen MSNBC!) that the Chancellor could be embarrassed by the way our press is making an issue of this?