The Namaste Conundrum
Culture 101: The Basics!
A former expat boss, seeking input on navigating his stay at a luxury hotel, jokingly shared, “They ‘Namaste’ you to death.”
Trained staff offer formal Namastes with hands folded each time they spot you, especially at the front entrance.
If you are a long-stay guest, this can seem exhausting!
Their training doesn’t necessarily include anticipating the impact on a frequent guest who has already received their fair share of Namastes for the day.
Just some luxury hotels are excessive in their welcome.
So, do you have to ‘Namaste’ back each time?
Just return a quick ‘Namaste’ - without the folded hands - or a proper ‘Hello’ once or twice a day. Then, a nod, a smile, or a brief hello will do for the remainder of the time.
Unless you are a yoga master, and just love saying it formally each time for fun!
I was an enlisted guy in the Navy for 16 years and an officer for 10. As an enlisted man I saluted all officers. Easy-peasy, it was my duty and officers were few. But on a training base where enlisted outnumbered officers by maybe 200 to 1 I had the privilege to salute every officer O-4 and above and return salutes to everyone E-1 to E-9 and O-1 to O-2. Namasted to death. But duty is duty. I only felt pity for those who were left-handed.
Practical & handy tips Jayshree !