waitress Wais on receiving a tip, the giver does not return the Wai: if a junior employee meets the big boss, he will the boss need not.
When to Wai
The question of when to wai and how to wai is learnt the earliest and of childhood. It comes naturally for a Thai, but is a problem for the visitor. Having overcome preconceptions about proper democratic behavior, learnt the rules and even got to the point where you can place yourself in the status structure, you will notice that many Thais, obvious juniors, will not wai you. This is not because of any feeling of racial or cultural superiority, but because the junior has seen enough. Western films and television programs to know that Farang(westernens don't wai cach other.
The use of the wai to say thank you' is widespread among Thais. However, this is not an easy way through the language barrier for the visitor. Generosity traditionally moves in one direction, from the superior to the inferior, in return, the inferior demonstrates symbolically that he or she is at your mercy. Thus, although equals may use it, the thank you Wai from a superior to an inferior, even if a significant service has been performed, is most out of place.
As the visitor learns a bit of Thai and gets to know more about Thailand, the Wai will creep into his social actions at the proper time. The best advice to the newcomer might be unless you receive a Wai, stick to the handshake with men and use polite half smile with women.
When that wonderful day arrives, when you meet the right person at the right time and he or she naturally raises the hands in a Wai, you will probably find that yours are full of papers or that you have a whisky soda in one hand and a cigarette in the other. In this case, don't worry, just place your hand as near together as possible and bring the show bundle up to the appropriate position.
Whilst waiting for the habit to come naturally, here are a few tips to avoid embarrassment to all parties,
1. Do not wai servants, laborers, children and other people of an obviously lower social status than yours, 1f you insist on doing so, guided or misguided by an inappropriate desire to be equal and friendly instead a more appropriate recognition that people can be unequal and remain friendly, you will create a situation of extreme embarrassment of the inferior which may terminate any chance for future social encounter. You will also make yourself look ridiculous.
2. If you receive a high Wai. reply with a lower Wai.