[Tyfon]

I have only 'waiied' a Thai once, more instinctively out of embarassment - it was a BKK policeman on the street who had pointed out that my flies were undone. I worry about the religious aspect of waiing - I see it done to shrines, rather like the little curtsey and crossing that Catholics perform on entering churches; the prayer-like holding of the hands is problematic to me as someone who does not approve of superstitious behaviour and does not like to use or be seen to encourage the use of such gestures.

So I do not wai, partly for that reason, partly because of the Stickman article and partly because it is an awkward gesture for someone who hasn't been brought up doing it.

I am a farang, always will be: I bow a little, don't object to being waiid but avoid all forms of priests and royalty (as I do in my own country). Although I have an intense dislike of religion and royalty, I follow the dive boat rule - never discuss politics or religion.