Do you Wai?

unless it is someone who obviously demands respect (eg: a boss or elderly family member, etc) i wouldn't wai...a simple nod and a smile is normally enough - and not so easy to get wrong!

some thais will "check hands" now anyway!

:-)

No, I just wai when it is someone I haven't seen for a while that us older or has more status than me......sometimes I don't worry about the 2nd one.

Here, in Nong Khai a long way from Bangkok, we wai very regularly. I would certainly wai every friend that visits and every official too, both when they arrive and when they depart.

I wai anyone who is buying me beer.

> When in Thailand I rarely wai myself

Me too, though I do occasionally wai others when appropriate. :)

Yes I do.

I think people who have been here longer also know when and how it is appropriate to do. Mutmee and Itchy have inspired me.

I always return a wai.

For a concise synopsis of Thai customs read Culture Shock, Thailand.

7- "I always return a wai."

Thai's in service, for example a restaurant wai customers and the Thai customers never return the wai. Wais are not returned down to children etc. The exception is that you must always wai bar girls.

Thanks Kevin, I didn't know that, I did know that you don't wai children though.

I did read culture shock years ago, looks like I should get it again, it was a great help.

UNtil then....
What about if you give somebody a gift, even if they are service staff, do you still not return the wai?