The Wai/ Bowing to greet people

One of the things I have to get used to is greeting our lectures, directors, and all those older than I with the “wai”. This ia a traditional bow with your hands raised in a prayer position to your forhead. You are supposed to greet all those who you want to show respect to with the “wai”, and it is used very common. Every time I enter a room with someone older than me I always stumble to raise my hands to my forehead in order to pay respect, but so far I just look like I am having some kind of spastic reaction. It is especially hard considering when I usually come to class I have pens, notebook, or a coffee in my hand.

The other hard part about the “wai” is that all service workers will “wai” you and you are no supposed to “wai” them back. This is not because you don’t respect them, it is just the way it is apparently. It is very hard for me not to “wai” them back because I feel like it is some form of servitude, but them when I do “wai” them back they just giggle at my lack of cultural awareness.

Finally the other interesting thing about the “wai” is you are supposed to lower your body to those who are in a higher position than you almost like a bow- a more important person gets a bigger bow. For me a slightly taller western woman which means a very tall in Asian cultures I don’t know how much to lower myself since I am taller than most the people here- only by an inch or so, but it still poses an interesting situation.

So until I figure and master this process I will continue to look awkward and “wai” the wrong people for what is supposed to be a very natural and honored gesture.