How to Greet in Asia – A Guide to Respect and Cultural Nuance
Greeting customs in Asia are deeply tied to respect, culture, and spirituality. From the Thai wai and the Indian namaste to Japan’s bows and even Tibet’s tongue greeting, each gesture carries meaning beyond a simple hello. Knowing how to greet properly will help you connect with locals, show respect, and enrich your travel experience.
Caption: The namaste or way symbolizes a lotus from the heart, and is a normal greeting and a way of showing respect in many Asian countries.
Greetings Are More Than Just Words
In Asia, a greeting is rarely just “hello.” It can show respect, mark social status, or even express spiritual devotion. Understanding how to greet properly is one of the simplest ways to connect with people and avoid cultural missteps while traveling.
Important note: greetings may vary from each location. Observe the local practices or talk with the locals to get advice on how to greet. Also note that in Asia, it is normal to greet non-human things such as statues of Gods or Buddha. You may not be expected as a tourist to do that, but it will be a polite way of being in the society.
Caption: Different greetings across Asia — from the universal añjali mudrā (palms together) to the wai, salaam, Tibetan tongue greeting, bowing, and even touching the feet as a sign of deep respect.
Añjali Mudrā - From Yoga to Greeting
The gesture known as añjali mudrā – palms pressed together in front of the chest – has its roots in ancient Indian spirituality and yoga, where it symbolizes unity, balance, and respect. In Hindu and Buddhist traditions it became the foundation for greetings and prayers, later spreading widely across Asia. In India and Nepal, the gesture is known as namaste or namaskar; in Thailand it evolved into the wai; in Laos it is called nop; and in Cambodia the sampeah. Though the names and contexts vary, they all stem from the same origin: añjali mudrā as a universal sign of reverence and connection.
And, have you noticed that this greeting becoming more and more normal in western countries?
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar– The Wai
In Thailand, people greet each other with the wai: pressing the palms together in front of the chest and bowing the head slightly. The gesture is said to symbolize a lotus flower blooming from the heart – a gift of purity and respect.
To monks: Hands are raised higher, often to the forehead, with a deeper bow.
To elders and parents: A wai with the hands at nose level.
Among friends: A casual wai at chest level, sometimes skipped in everyday life.
Handshakes are also used in Thailand in certain contexts, but the wai is more common and carries greater significance when it comes to showing respect.
Special note about monks
Monks generally do not return a wai. The reason is spiritual rather than social: monks are seen as receivers of respect, not participants in social hierarchy. By staying still—or at most nodding slightly—they show humility and detachment from worldly customs. This is not rudeness, but a reflection of their dedication to spiritual life.
Japan and Korea – The Bow
The bow (ojigi) is the most common greeting in Japan, and it comes in different depths.
To colleagues or acquaintances: A small nod or a 15° bow.
To elders, teachers, or superiors: A 30–45° bow.
To very high-status people (and in temples): A deep, long bow.
Handshakes are becoming more common in business, but the bow remains a deeply ingrained sign of respect.
India – Namaste and Beyond
The traditional greeting is namaste, with palms pressed together at the chest and a small bow. The word literally means “I bow to you” or “the divine in me honors the divine in you.”
To parents and elders: Namaste with warmth and a bow of the head.
To teachers or gurus: Hands may be raised slightly higher, signifying devotion.
Among friends: Namaste is sometimes replaced with a handshake or hug, depending on context.
In some regions, younger people also bend down and touch the feet of elders, mothers, or mothers-in-law to show respect and seek blessings. This is common in Hindu families and with spiritual teachers.
Caption: The “normal” wai or namaste is done from the chest. But when showing respect to superiors—such as gurus, kings, or prime ministers—or to statues of sacred beings like the Buddha, gods, or angels, the gesture is raised higher. This practice is common not only in India, but also across Southeast Asia.
Nepal – The Universal Namaste
In Nepal, namaste is used more universally than almost anywhere else. Shopkeepers, children, strangers, and elders all greet each other with namaste, often accompanied by a warm smile.
To monks or holy people: A deeper bow with namaste.
Among equals: A casual namaste, used in daily life.
China – Handshakes and Subtle Gestures
In modern China, the handshake has become the standard greeting, especially in business. But traditional gestures still exist.
To elders or officials: A slight bow of the head with a handshake.
Among friends: A handshake or a simple “ni hao.”
In temples: Hands together in front of the chest, similar to namaste, is sometimes used.
Sri Lanka – Ayubowan
In Sri Lanka, the greeting is ayubowan, meaning “may you live long.” The gesture resembles namaste, with palms pressed together and a small bow.
To parents and elders: Ayubowan with sincerity and respect.
To monks: A deeper bow with hands held slightly higher.
Tibet and Himalayan Regions – A Tongue Greeting
In Tibetan areas, an unusual greeting tradition still survives: people sometimes stick out their tongue. This began centuries ago as a way to show honesty. According to legend, a 9th-century king was feared for his black tongue. By showing your own, you proved you were not his reincarnation. Today, it’s more symbolic and often done with a smile.
In Tibet and the Himalayan regions, both namaste and handshakes are common forms of greeting. When I spent time in the Tibetan community of Dharamsala, I occasionally observed the traditional tongue greeting, but gestures like namaste were far more frequent in daily life.
Caption: the namaste or añjali mudrā in a Tibetan buddhist context.
Greetings in Muslim Communities
In Muslim communities across Asia, greetings follow a different tradition. Instead of the wai or namaste, the common practice is the salaam: a light handshake or touch of the hands, followed by placing the right hand over the heart. The words as-salāmu ʿalaykum (“peace be upon you”) often accompany the gesture, with the reply wa-ʿalaykum as-salām(“and peace be upon you too”). You’ll see this especially in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and southern Thailand, but also in South Asia, where the greeting is often spoken without physical contact between men and women.
Respect Is in the Details
Across Asia, greetings are tied to respect for age, social status, and spirituality. Some general tips:
Always greet elders first.
When in doubt, follow what locals do.
A smile goes a long way.
If you can, try to greet from the heart. In the end, that is the true purpose — and it will shine through, even if your wai or bow feels a little rusty.
Why It Matters for Travelers
Learning local greetings isn’t just about being polite—it opens doors. A respectful wai in Thailand or a heartfelt namaste in Nepal often brings smiles, better service, and warmer connections. It shows you’re not just a tourist, but someone willing to step into the culture. Often, in areas where tourist go, it become unlivable for the locals. By showing respect and following the local customs, you blend in and contribute to a smooth social life for the people living there, and yourself.