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The Wai is not just a gesture used to say hello without speaking, it is an sign of respect. Its use demonstrates much about Thai values and attitudes. It is the most important of the many social customs that are used in Thai society.

The wai is the Thai greeting and show of respect, indicated by pressing your palms together near your chest and bowing. The wai is a unique, graceful action practiced throughout Thailand. It plays a very important part in showing respect and is central to Thai etiquette.

For the most part Thais do not want to touch your sweaty, grubby hands, so it's a good idea to learn how to wai. The wai can be very confusing, especially at large gatherings However, the plus side is, when being wai-ed to by others you do start to feel quite important! When being wai-ed, it would be considered impolite if you didn't return or at least an acknowledge the wai - something especially difficult to do when your hands are full.

As well as being a greeting, a wai is a show of respect. It can be difficult to determine when you should wai or when someone should wai you. As a farang [foreigner] it's just easiest to wai important people as soon as possible. If someone is going to wai you first, they probably already beaten you to it.

If you really want to know when to wai, this will depend on your relationship to the other person. The person of higher social status will be wai-ed to. You have only a few seconds to size up someone you meet and determine this.

One easy determination is age. If someone is older than you, then you should wai them unless they are someone whom you employ, such as a housekeeper. You should never wai anyone who you are paying for service, such as waiters, tailors, vendors, shopkeepers or taxi drivers. When leaving a party or other such gathering, you should wai everyone, as this is the polite way to excuse yourself from the festivities.

You will also wai when receiving a gift from a superior, as a sign of thanks. Make your wai before you reach to take the object. While listening to a Buddhist sermon, it is also customary to hold a wai during the entire programme. You may even notice that as drivers of vehicles pass a sacred monument, they will wai - even taking their hands off the wheel!

As if all that isn't confusing enough, there are different kinds of wais! The normal wai is with your hands pressed together at about chest level, and presenting a slight bow with your body. The wai to a superior is with the tips of your fingers at nose level, still bowing your body. To convey the most respect and gratitude, you will wai with your fingertips at mouth level and present a deeper and longer bow.

The wai is a delicate, graceful gesture when performed by Thais. It may look somewhat more awkward and downright funny when you do it, but the attempt will still be most appreciated. It might take you some time to perfect your technique, but this charming greeting will become second-nature in no time at all!

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