how to use a the gesture which is of putting the palms together to Japanese people
Hi, Today I would like to write about the famous gesture.
Some non-Japanese people put their palms together with bowing when they realised I am was Japanese and they wanted to say "Konnichiwa!"
I always told them that it was a wrong inappropriate gesture. Japanese people do the gesture when we are begging, saying sorry or praying to someone/Gods/Buddha.
To Gods and Buddha, it is no problem, but for a real human, you may be looked childish when you are begging someone to for something with this gesture.
Here is a diagrams which I drew. We never do the gesture for greeting! It is quite weird for Japanese people. I know some of other Asian countries do the gesture for greeting. However, even though we believe in same religion, Buddhism, as other Asian countries, the gesture has a different meaning for each country.
If you want to say "Konnichiwa (Hello) " to Japanese people, please say that with a little nodding.
Mariko- Very well written. Very clear with good word choice and use. Thank you very much for the information and advice. -Sven