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To Wai or not to Wai – that is the question.

Do you Wai?

If you don't Wai ... why not?

Now, this will surely divide us, but, for those who want to know how the Thais do it.

The lady on the left is Miss Mod, she has a number of Thai language clips to help you practise your Thai and, for me, very easy on the eye …

Counting 1-10 Here etc

Happy Wai-ing …

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I'll put my hand up ... I once waied a Mamasan ... oh the shame and indiginity looking back ...

We live and learn ... tis the joy of Thailand.

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You could have warned about the subliminal messaging. I kept hearing Miss Mod's voice in my head. "HD. you WILL give me a baby" over and over....

Being older I rarely "wai" as age dictates its not required, but I do and have when the situation requires it.

There are those that will say "why you are not Thai" , and thats their decision but for me I think its respectful and demonstrates you know its respectful in the right circumstances, those that go around and "wai" to a waitress or just about anyone just look stupid in my opinion as it demonstrates they really dont understand what they are doing.

I wai to the immigration bloke doing me visa,that's about it,i have done it at the temple the few times i have gone,but otherwise i don't,the most pathetic thing is westerners wai-ing to other westererners.

... the most pathetic thing is westerners wai-ing to other westererners.

agreed ... that's fairly sad.

Only seen that once done correctly (not by me) ... the white guy was a Monk ... long time.

Then, the orange over-ruled the white.

Thanks, David, great video... should be mandatory on all international flights to Thailand... maybe instead of the boring security presentations ;-)

Thanks, David, great video... should be mandatory on all international flights to Thailand... maybe instead of the boring security presentations ;-)

I hope, you never come across an emergency during your flights and then I will tell you what is more important, how to save your life or how to wai.

The just plain CHARMING as these two girls are is a delight to live in Thailand.

Not pretending, not affected, just cute and helpful. I love Thai people.

One of the original Wai-Oh-Wai Topics back in 2008. Still good today.

Thanks, David, great video... should be mandatory on all international flights to Thailand... maybe instead of the boring security presentations ;-)

I hope, you never come across an emergency during your flights and then I will tell you what is more important, how to save your life or how to wai.

nothing to worry... if their is an emergency during the flight,

... either the staff has time to tell you AGAIN all you need to know and follow

... or the emergency comes so fast that you will be dead before you really know it...

EDIT: and if you survive the emergeny, then at least you know how to wai properly for the pilot who just saved your ass...

One of he original Wai-Oh-Wai Topic back in 2008. Still good today.

OH ... Twyais ... you Sentimentalist.

'tis a good thing to see.

Just putting (maybe) a modern twist to a classic.

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What?!?

I'm not supposed to wai gogo dancers?!

Miss Mod is super cute! Thanks for posting.

I do not wai now or ever.

To Wai or not to wai ... I don't but who cares?

But of course David48 only created this topic to introduce Ms. Mod to us. Good on you mate, please start some more topics where her pics are relevant. 1 example to get you going "how to bargain, in English or Thai" with pics of Ms. Mod's lesson to count to 10.

Gonna start to learn Thai as of now.

I read it was ok to give a one handed wai to kids and maids

You could have warned about the subliminal messaging. I kept hearing Miss Mod's voice in my head. "HD. you WILL give me a baby" over and over....

Your mind's ear needs a hearing aid. The voice was clearly saying "Seastallion" not "HD".

I am on a Wai fest today, as at a government organised conference.

Still find it a hilarious that see tourists and we xpats waing bar staff, other westerners and security guards.

Good thread though.

I do not wai now or ever.

BillyBob ... I respect that.

As a Westener, it's mostly not expected of us.

... and, if, when it might be expected (a wai) and we don't, the Thais forgive that as an oversight.

I must admit I do, but I try and pick the moment.

Those moments are usually reserved for meeting the gf's Parents after a long absence (I split my time between both countries), the Monk if I approach and ... and .. well, that's about it.

Maybe an elder relative of my gf's.

I do not wai now or ever.

Just out of curiosity, why not? Your choice and I'm not having a go at anyone.

I think Thais always really appreciate it when a westerner makes the effort to wai when they do it in the correct situation.

I wai to the immigration bloke doing me visa,that's about it,i have done it at the temple the few times i have gone,but otherwise i don't,the most pathetic thing is westerners wai-ing to other westererners.

The immigration bloke and elders I will initiate the wai,

I have been taught to always reply to a wai with a wai..... however I was taught 3 levels, not 2 as Miss Mod said. The chest one without bowing the head to respond to kids wais, thumbs about at your chin for most people, and the thumbs to eyebrows for monks.

For those that don't wai, how do you feel back home when you extend your hand for a handshake and it is brushed aside or coldly ignored?

I do not wai now or ever.

Just out of curiosity, why not? Your choice and I'm not having a go at anyone.

I think Thais always really appreciate it when a westerner makes the effort to wai when they do it in the correct situation.

They do. That's why I like it when farang don't do it....it puts me in better stead.

To Wai or not to wai ... I don't but who cares?

But of course David48 only created this topic to introduce Ms. Mod to us. Good on you mate, please start some more topics where her pics are relevant. 1 example to get you going "how to bargain, in English or Thai" with pics of Ms. Mod's lesson to count to 10.

Gonna start to learn Thai as of now.

Ouch ... you judge me to harshly my friend.

But, I will admit, Miss Mod, she is easy on the eye ...

Truth be known ... I really struggle with language.

At Uni, I topped my state in quantitative analysis, but crap with language ... just doesn't stick.

Just proves that brains doesn't make you smart.

So I watched and watched her, till, like a school boy, I could utter or stutter a few words of Thai.

Took me half a day to be tone perfect on this.

'Shall we go eat rice together?'

It worked ... got laid that night ...

Mind you, not a difficult achievement in Thailand ... but she was cute.

Hi MissFarmGirl if you are reading ... how are the boys ...

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I don't wai anybody except for the old folks, grandmas and grandpas. Besides that most Thais would rather shake a farang's hand upon greeting.

I read it was ok to give a one handed wai to kids and maids

I gave a one-handed wai to a driver yesterday who let me through a line of traffic. He seemed to appreciate it. I was on a bicycle, so had one hand on the handlebar. I have seen one-handed wais whenever someone has to wai but can only get one hand free, so not just kids and maids, but among friends and neighbors as well.

The one (important) situation they missed is the wai'ing to friends or siblings or partners of friends. My gf will wai to friends-of-friends she does not know well; her friends will sometimes wai to me as well (and no, it's not an age thing )

I keep telling my Indian friend to stop wai'ing in response to hotel and restaurant staff, but he gets too much of a kick out of it. [And he loves to remind me that the wai originated in India].

I read it was ok to give a one handed wai to kids and maids

I gave a one-handed wai to a driver yesterday who let me through a line of traffic. He seemed to appreciate it. I was on a bicycle, so had one hand on the handlebar. I have seen one-handed wais whenever someone has to wai but can only get one hand free, so not just kids and maids, but among friends and neighbors as well.

I think that if you are waiing a toddler or a midget, you can bend the fingers

Besides that most Thais would rather shake a farang's hand upon greeting.

99% wrong. Strong eh? Well, maybe 86%.

Ask Thailand Airways... NOT!

Ask them what?