The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CUSTOM

THE THAI HAVE A TRADITIONAL WAY OF GREETING CALLED THE "WAI."
THIS HOLDS THE SAME SIGNIFICANCE AS THE AMERICAN HANDSHAKE,
BUT ALSO SIGNIFIES RESPECT, THANKS, OR APOLOGY. A PERSON
"WAIS" BY PLACING HIS HANDS TOGETHER IN A PRAYERFULL MANNER
AND LIFTING THEM TO HIS FACE WITH THE THUMBS BELOW THE
CHIN AND THE INDEX FINGERS AGAINST THE FOREHEAD, AND THE
HEAD SLIGHTLY BOWED. REFUSING TO RETURN A "WAIS" HAS THE
SAME EFFECT AS REFUSING A HAND SHAKE.

Where learned: THAILAND

Date learned: 03-00-1971