How to perform “Wai”?

 

There are three steps you must follow to perform Wai. 

Step 1:

 

 

Step 2: 

         

                                             general                                                   To senior                               

Step 3: 

Begin by clasping your hands together at your chest. Make sure all your fingers are straight and adjacent. Then, bow your head down until parts of your face are in contact with your fingers.  Lastly, lift your head back up and let go of your hands.

 

 

“Wai” in Different Contexts

 

Thai people perform “Wai” for different contexts, but the most common of “Wai” has three levels. Each level has different points of contact and method, and it signifies the degree of respect of the Wai-ing person towards the one being Wai-ed.

 

Greeting Friends and Junior

You begin this stage by clasping your hands on your chest. Then, lower your head until your index fingers meet the tip of your nose. The first level is arguably the simplest to complete. At this level, you don't have to kneel too deeply. You perform at this level for anyone your age or younger. These individuals could be close friends, family members, acquaintances, or even total strangers. Just to be certain that they are your junior or at least the same age as you.

 

In this greeting situation, you might see a staff member perform this "Wai" for welcoming, greeting, and thanking customers at a restaurant, hotel, shopping mall, or other service center. When you observe them do this "Wai" to you, you should greet them by nodding or wai-ing back at the same level.

 

Greeting Senior and Respectable people

 

For this stage, clasp your hands on your chest and bow your head down until your thumbs touch the tip of your nose and your index fingers contact between your brows. This is used to greet older people or those with a higher social position. This includes your elder friends, schoolmates, family members, colleagues, and acquaintances; your bosses; your teachers; and anyone you particularly respect.

 

Paying respect to religious figures and Buddha's Images

For this one, you should start by clasping your hands over your chest. Bow your head till your thumbs meet between your brows and your index finger rests on top of your brow. Thais do this "wai-ing" to monks and Buddha's images.

 

 

In Thai Culture, younger people usually initiate greetings. This means, elders won’t perform “Wai” to younger first, even though the older people see the younger first at some places. They will just call the young ones out and let them initiate greetings. After the young perform “Wai”, the older will perform what Thai people call “Wai receiving.”

 

References

https://www.theluxurysignature.com/2018/03/18/understanding-wai-thai-greeting/

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/thai-culture/thai-culture-greetings

https://www.thekohsamuiguide.com/post/thailand-greeting-how-to-wai

https://www.thailandfoundation.or.th/culture_heritage/wai-the-thai-greeting/