A Thai greeting and a show of respect, indicated by pressing your palms together near your chest and bowing.
(This is a video. Click to play.)
Students greet teachers everytime they enter and exit the classroom. To the Thai teachers they say "sawatdeeka(p)," while to us they say "good morning/afternoon." They put their hands together and bow a little -- this is called a wai. It's a respectful way of greeting elders.
I did a bit of research on the proper way to wai. I found a website (click here) that is short, concise, but pretty thorough. It had this to say:
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 little hands, so it's a good idea to learn how to wai. The European kiss-on-each-cheek-greeting will certainly alarm a Thai, especially if you are a man doing this to a woman who isn't your wife or girlfriend!
Very interesting, to say the least.Thai children are brought up to hold the elderly, or anyone in a higher position/status, in high regard. This is an important value in Thai culture; one that also dictates how I, as a foreign teacher, is treated.
Even Ronald McDonald is in on the wai-ing!
"A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture."
- Abraham J. Herschel
No comments:
Post a Comment