Dear readers,
How wonderful it would be if the Wai 🙏 could also be introduced in Europe. Think of all the doctors, politicians and a lot of other people who professionally have to shake all kinds of hands. The Wai is a greeting of kindness and respect. What to think now in this pandemic of greeting via elbow or leg. The Wai is also an advantage because then you are immediately rid of giving three kisses in passing.
I wonder what the Thailandblog readers think about this.
Greetings,
Jeanine 🙏
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Dear Jeanine,
First of all, a Wai also has to do with Religion and the observance of it.
Can't imagine that in a Community of diverse cultures and their corresponding differences like in Europe, the giving of a Wai will be understood by the great differences of faith that exist, that's why shaking of the hand was invented and it tutoring acquaintances or family members.
It might be nice to mention that in India, for example, one may never offer the Left Hand to “shake” it, as it is used for other purposes.
Not just India. In all Islamic countries the left hand is unclean.
In Thailand, the left hand is also a body part that you do not offer to third parties, because people cleanse the body with the left. Thailand and India are definitely not Islamic countries (respectively 4 and 14 percent of the population are Muslims) so it has little to do with religion, but everything to do with hygiene.
The Wai is a (Hindu) Buddhist expression. You will see those who were on holiday outside Europe make such a gesture, but they do not integrate. For example, Thai people also keep each other at a distance during a wai greeting. Western people have much more of a hugging attitude. That's why when corona is gone, the elbow will quickly make way for the normal greeting ritual, which is shaking hands. As a woman, if you are not served by 2 or 3 kisses on the cheek, be alert to this and raise your left hand when shaking hands. My wife has always done it that way. Sometimes she accompanied this with a slight inclination to the back of her upper body. Clear enough right?
Super idea. I try to use it as much as possible. Get rid of those hands and kisses!
Shaking hands is based on the old custom of showing that you have no concealed weapons in your hands. The wai will have the same function, but any small arms are fairly easy to hide.
The most important advantage is the contactless greeting. Do use a mouth mask.
https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/waarom-schudden-we-elkaar-eigenlijk-de-hand
https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/waarom-schudden-we-elkaar-eigenlijk-de-hand~b056b868/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2F
I really like the Wai here in Thailand, Asia, but is it really necessary to shave even more of the Dutch, Western culture?
A little while longer and we will only have a pale imitation of what has existed for centuries.
I wonder if this is all because of covid, just to use this as an excuse.
After all, how many people are walking around with the fear of getting covid.
Sometimes the fear is even greater than covid itself
Of course every culture has its pros and cons, but 1.5 years ago such suggestions were not passed.
Or have we already embraced it, never back to normal??!
Absolutely correct KhunTak, our western countries are already flooded with the customs of many foreign cultures. I sometimes wonder if we still live in our own country.
Leave that beautiful Wai where it is. I now live in Thailand and also adapt to the customs of the country. There is no need to import the Wai into Belgium or the Netherlands.
Indeed, let's keep our Western culture and let the others keep their own culture too. Don't force anything on anyone and accept and respect each other.
Now is a small minority group trying to force their opinion on a majority.
Apologies, abolition and renaming of Christian holidays, etc.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against other cultures, but I'm not going to impose other cultures on you.
I also do not demand that people have a holiday in Thailand on December 25 and 26 or that people hide eggs in my garden on Easter Sunday, that people travel through the city with decorated carts 40 days before Easter, that people visit the neighbor on December 5 black makeup etc etc.
I would agree with you if there was one height for the wai and not, as in Thailand, the height depends on the social distance to be bridged.
The Wai can of course stay in Thailand..I have traveled all over Thailand for 17 y..and see how much young people respect the elderly…
Dear Jeanine,
I completely agree with you, in fact why should we limit ourselves to Europe only? As far as I'm concerned, the Wai can be introduced all over the world as a greeting of respect for each other. Are we also immediately rid of those endless discussions that you are not allowed to shake hands with women in Muslim countries?
And be honest, as a gesture it's much nicer than giving each other an elbow? But yes, tastes can differ.
Yes, those elbows. Strange to see. Even worse: touching with the feet. The wai is much more elegant, friendly and respectful. Who knows, it will be adopted in the world. If a few important sheep start it…
What are actually the customs (rules) when giving a wai? I am a man and 74 years old. Is there a difference from giving a wai to an (older) woman, man or children?
Totally agree. I think a lot of people would like to. People often kiss because they "have to" but many people would rather not. The same applies to the receiving party and they are not always happy with it.
If you do not appreciate this, you can just indicate that.
I don't like that kiss either and just say that honestly if someone wants to kiss me on the birthday or something.
I had been married to a Brazilian for 23 years and I hated kissing. Here in Thailand I was finally rid of it. Yes, of course I would like to give a nice girl a kiss or three, but then you have to be Konsekwent and then don't kiss.
Well..I've lived in Thailand for 16 years and so I'm used to the Wai..I've been doing this since I've been in Belgium..hygienic..give away with hands and that annoying kiss with everyone….
I will continue to do that here.. even when the corona period is over. The wai also shows a form of politeness.
And I find that greeting with the foot and the elbow really ridiculous .. who invented that ???
Apart from a time like this, when we all can't shake hands because of the current pandemic, I personally think the Wai is always the most beautiful greeting.
Giving a kiss, of which one does not know at all whether the opposite person is also fond of this, I sometimes find so intrusive in comparison to the Wai that you can hardly refuse it anymore.
If someone nevertheless refuses, he will not infrequently be judged as oppressed or not hospitable.
Even at high temperatures, where the opposite is also wet with sweat, I find it highly unappetizing.555
Also when I see the bumblings, who cannot shake hands during the pandemic, and therefore greet themselves with fists, shoe tips, or elbows together, this is a laughable greeting to me that can never be from a Wai to win.
That's why I think a Wai accompanied by a friendly smile is the most beautiful greeting in almost every situation.
I've been doing the wai for over a year, so right from the Corona time. Get rid of those 2 or 3 sticky kisses each time to acquaintances or even strangers.
it is also a good way to express respect towards the other person. HG.
The wai is a nice touch. Shows respect and appreciation. A wai also involves placing the feet close together. Shows even more respect and submission. But also vulnerability: with your feet close together you can easily and uninvited be knocked off balance. That submissiveness is completely against our (acquired) culture. I don't see the wai becoming "established" in the West.
Giving hands has something tough about it. And has often been used to impress. You know, not a limp hand please. Extra tough by squeezing hard. At the time, my mom had an uncle who was a farmer. Always gave a hand, squeezing very hard and long, staring at you with dark eyes, laughing and talking in a deep voice to impress, to try to embarrass you, or to make you promise something, even with the intention of make you say something you don't really want. And yet he was a very engaging man.
The three or even four kisses on the cheek are not part of my customs. But I sometimes come to French or French-speaking circles where it happens very spontaneously. And it does have something. It makes you smile, it breaks the silence and it makes for a better start of a conversation. You're also less likely to argue or riot with someone you've just kissed. It is also easier and more respectful to talk to a woman. Even in Corona times I see a lot of kissing, my mind can't reach that.
Just a spontaneous hug, without that sticky chatter.
In Thailand I have seen them hug each other.