WCA September 2007

The wai - the greeting

The wai is the common form of greeting and adheres to strict rules of protocol. Raising both hands, palms joined with the fingers pointing upwards as if in prayer, lightly touching the body somewhere between the chest and forehead, is the standard form. The wai is both a sign of respect as well as a greeting. Respect and courtesy are demonstrated by the height at which the hands are held and how low the head comes down to meet the thumbs of both hands. The wai may be made while sitting, walking or standing. The person who is junior in age or status is the first to offer the wai. The senior person returns the wai, generally with their hands raised to somewhere around their chest. If a junior person is standing and wants to wai a senior person who is seated, the junior person will stoop or bow their head while making the wai. If there is a great social distance between two people, the wai will not be returned. Business cards : Business cards are given out after the initial handshake and greeting. In theory, you should give your card to the most senior person first. It is advisable to have one side of your business card translated into Thai. Using your right hand, deliver your business card so that the Thai side faces the recipient. Look at a business card for a few seconds before placing it on the table or in a business card case/pocket. As in most Asian countries, it is polite to make some comment about the card, even if it is only to acknowledge the address.

Taiwan Fastener Trading Association.................................. K16 Taiwan Spring Industry Association.................................... C37 Team Meccanica SpA................................................................ B21 Teijin Twaron Asia Co Ltd......................................................... F01 Teurema – Tecnica Europea De Maquinaria SL............... D01 Tianjin Jianke Mechanical Products Co Ltd........................ J32 Ticho Industries Ltd................................................................... K23 TKT Srl............................................................................................ G11 Troester GmbH & Co KG........................................................... F23 Unigel.............................................................................................. J14 Unitek Maschinen..................................................................... H25 Upcast OY.................................................................................. DD10 Vitari SpA...................................................................................... D01 Wafios AG...................................................................................... E25 Wardwell-Hamana (Shanghai) Machinery Co Ltd............ DD9 WAI – The Wire Association International.......................... F37 WCISA – Wire and Cable Industry Suppliers Association............................................................. K09 Wire & Cable ASIA Magazine.................................................. E01 Wire & Cable Technology International.............................. K09 Wire & Plastic Machinery Corporation................................. J02 Wire Forming Technology International............................ K09 Wire World Internet................................................................... K31 Woodburn Diamond Die Inc.................................................. K37 WWMWelding Wire Machineries Srl.................................. G01 Ya Sih Technology Co Ltd....................................................... H27 Yuang Hsian Metal Industrial Corporation......................... J29 Zhejiang Minmetal Sanhe I/E Co Ltd.................................. G31 Zumbach Electronic AG........................................................... K39 Area : 513,115 sq km (196,512 sq mi) Population : 64,865,523 Capital city : Bangkok (9.4m) People (main ethnicity) : Thai, Chinese, and Malay Languages : Thai Currency : Baht. $1 = 32.3 £ = 64.2 € = 43.5 ¥ = 4.2 Telephone dialing code : +66 Time : +7 hours GMT Never joke about the monarchy. Thai people treat their monarchy with great reverence and the Royal family should never be insulted or criticised. Note on Thai names: Thai people generally have two names, the first being the given name and the second the family name. Nevertheless, if only one name is used, it should be the first, eg Prime Minister Surayud. Facts about Thailand

apher: Bumihills

Image from BigStockPhoto.com ‘Grand Palace’ – Photographer: donsimon

de and Exhibi t ion Cent re 16 th -18 th October 2007

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