the art of wai

In Thailand, don’t be surprised if when you extend your hand out for a handshake, you get a limp, damp hand in return from men and women alike. That’s what you get for being culturally inept.
I picked up a handshake habit in the U.S. so when I first came to Bangkok, I would extend my hand out to every new person I met. I quickly learned though that Thais don’t do handshakes. It’s all about the “wai” --- two palms touching in a prayer-like position. Even Ronald McDonald does it. There are actually different types of wais based on the relative status of the two people wai-ing each other. Unfortunately, I have not yet had the chance to delve deep into this practice. So for now, I stick to the standard “stranger’s” wai. Palms together at chest level and fingertips just below the chin kah!