His answer was that in the greek the actual word was "obeisance" and that the word "proskuneo" (sp?) really meant obeisance rather than worship. He also mentioned that proskuneo has different meanings though spelled the same, could mean something different. EX) I duck down to hide when I was about to shoot the duck.
He gave you a bad analogy, probably from a Watchtower issue.
Whereas obeisance has the denotation of a courtesy or act of deference, proskuneo means more than that. Vine's Expository Dictionary explains that it's frequently rendered as "worship." It's an act of homage or reverence. Strong's Greek Lexicon explains that it is not just merely crouching, but fawning. You are prostrating yourself. It is worship. Both of those references support the rendering of "worship," not merely "obeisance."
Ask your friend, "Are false idols done obeisance to, or worshipped?" He will probably say worshipped (and even if he does say "they are done obeisance," how can you show courtesy to a lifeless object?). Then you can tell him false idols received proskuneo at Acts 7:43.
Your friend will go running back to a Watchtower article to make himself feel better. But at least you have respected sources on your side.