Whether it is silly or not, though, it's the standard custom. The Shriners wear ugly hats and have a silly secret handshake. Apparently we are just as bad but no worse. And, Japanese baseball players mangle our baseball customs as well. There's no real harm in people having fun as long as no one is injured or threatened.
Many Westerners tend to think of bowing as a two-way action like a handshake.
Bowing in Japan is frequently a one-way action, with the junior man bowing and the older man simply receiving the bow. A bow returned is an additional expression of humility. Some of my American friends are shocked speechless when they approach me and bow and I just watch them do it without moving to even nod in their direction. If you feel humble, bow. The taker is humble.