How To Greet

http://www.laopride.com/pictures1/how-to-greet-vai-in-laos.jpg

In Lao culture, "vai" is used to greet someone.



P.S. Please greet like the picture on the left of your screen, and whatever you do don't greet like the picture on the right of your screen.   ;D

I've never been the recipient of a vai nor have I vaied anyone. I haven't seen anyone in NZ vai. I only hang around with those in my age range. The elders probably do it, but I've never seen it.

The elders don't vai. If anything, it's young people like you who should be doing it often.

Haven't you met an elder and vaied to ANY of them in your life?

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 13^th May, 2011 at 7:41pm:

The elders don't vai. If anything, it's young people like you who should be doing it often. Haven't you met an elder and vaied to ANY of them in your life?

No, I haven't. In NZ we usually just bounce our eyebrows.  ;D

I can't even remember being taught how to. But, I do remember as a child, going to the Vat and doing a half vai. (one hand raised, while the other is being adorned with a white string. :)) That doesn't count though, right?

How often do you vai and who to?

Well, I don't consider you Lao, if you weren't taught to vai, and you have never vaied to "ordinary" people besides Buddhist monks.

I vai sometimes. Like, if my parents/relatives introduced me to their friends, it's natural to vai to them because they are seniors.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 13^th May, 2011 at 10:36pm:

Well, I don't consider you Lao, if you weren't taught to vai, and you have never vaied to "ordinary" people besides Buddhist monks.

:'( :'( :'(

I've never seen ANY Lao raised in NZ vai.


Admin Saovaluck wrote on 13^th May, 2011 at 10:36pm:

I vai sometimes. Like, if my parents/relatives introduced me to their friends, it's natural to vai to them because they are seniors.

Whenever I talk to my father's friends, I treat them as I would my own. I even slap them on their shoulders after a joke ot two (I know this is khaluum in our culture, but they don't seem to mind. ;D)

I used to stoop when walking past elders, too. After my adolescent years, I just thought: to hell with this. I no longer go out of my way to 'impress' others; only in 'formal' situations e.g. at a Lao function/wedding etc. then do those conservative mannerisms come out. :D

How often would you vai in a day? When you vai to your parents's friends, is that just a one off? Like, when you first meet them? Also, do you have to call them 'Uncle' or 'Aunty'? ;D ;D ;D

Well, if you meet elders in Laos, and you don't vai to them, they'll have no respect for you.

I don't vai every day. It's usually just one off, but it depends on other factors.

You only call someone "Uncle" or "Aunty" if they are younger than your parents.

Never heard of the term 'vai'.  Is this a northern Laos thing?

You can call it "wai" if you wish. It doesn't really matter.

'Sabaidee' sounds better. 'Wai' translates to 'hurry'?

PEACE wrote on 14^th May, 2011 at 3:48am:

Never heard of the term 'vai'.  Is this a northern Laos thing?

Here's a real Lao boy, right here! ;D

'Vai' isn't a greeting. It's an action. The Lao equivalent of the western handshake.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 14^th May, 2011 at 3:17am:

Well, if you meet elders in Laos, and you don't vai to them, they'll have no respect for you.

NOT TRUE!!! Most are very understanding. They know we're not 'full' Lao. I never came across any snobbery in Laos. Even when I was at the Vat, i answered the monk with a grunt, until my cousins told me to reply with 'doiy'. I think the monk laughed! ;D


Admin Saovaluck wrote on 14^th May, 2011 at 3:17am:

I don't vai every day. It's usually just one off, but it depends on other factors.

What factors?


Admin Saovaluck wrote on 14^th May, 2011 at 3:17am:

You only call someone "Uncle" or "Aunty" if they are younger than your parents.

Again. NOT TRUE!!!

Poh Loong and Mae Paa also translate to 'Aunty' and 'Uncle'. They are used if YOUR parents are younger than their friends.

LaoCowboy, "Vai" or "Wai" is when you put your hands together, in a prayer position.

"Wai" can also translate to "hurry", depending on the tone used.



Larb Dip, You're right. Lao is more specific, and English is too general when it comes to referring to someone.

I suppose "Aow" and "Ar" also translates to "Uncle" and "Aunty" too.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 14^th May, 2011 at 4:40am:

I suppose "Aow" and "Ar" also translates to "Uncle" and "Aunty" too.

You suppose? You suppose?

'Aow' or 'Ar' is "Unlce' or "Aunty' on your paternal side.

'Nabao' or 'Nasao' is  'Uncle' or 'Aunty' on your maternal side of the family tree.

Why don't YOU - of all people - not know this? You should be educating ME!

Is this 'site a fraud? Is this 'site even registerd in Laos? Are YOU even IN Laos - let alone stepped foot there? Is this 'site registered offshore, in, say.......New York, adjacent to the St Luke's Pentecoastal Church? ;D ;D ;D

Prove to me you're actually in Laos!

I just mentioned it, so obviously I know it.

Is this 'site a fraud? Is this 'site even registerd in Laos? Are YOU even IN Laos - let alone stepped foot there? Is this 'site registered offshore, in, say.......New York, adjacent to the St Luke's Pentecoastal Church? ;D ;D ;D

Prove to me you're actually in Laos!

Why wont you answer?

Have you been caught out? ;D

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We live in Laos, but the site (which not mine) is registered in the United States. We like to do business with the US.

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