Hello…Why the Wai?

Greeting in the Coronavirus age

The Wai, the most common greeting used by natives of Thailand, consists of bringing one’s palms together while bowing or dipping one’s head. Sometimes the Wai is performed so that it accompanies a verbal greeting. Sometimes it is a nonverbal act with no verbal accompaniment.

Growing up in Thailand I was introduced to the Wai at a very early age. It was part of my…