Thai wai is the gracefully greeting to show the respect to each other that exists in multiple versions of gesture based on social class, gender and age. For someone older or commanding high respect, the wai is by raising the clasped palm near the forehead and bowing a little. For someone younger, the wai in return is by placing the clasped palm near the chest. For monks of the highest respect, the wai is by placing the clasped palm near the head and kneel down to be in a lowered position to show the utmost respect. Therefore, this Thai wai is not meant to do to everyone you bump into. The gesture of wai can be near the head or chest, but the higher the hands are held in relation to the face and the lower the bow, the more respect or reverence the giver of the wai is showing.