Hindus fold their hands in the namaste greeting and touch
their forehead as a sign of respect. To perform a proper namaste, one
should hold his or her palms together, with the fingertips at chin,
level and nod rather than bow and say " Namaste." " Namaste"
literally means "I bow to thee” or “I honor the godhead within.” The
gesture is a sign of respect and is used by men and women when meeting
members of the same or opposite sex. It is similar to praying gesture
performed before an image of a deity at a temple. [Source: The Traveler's Guide to European Customs & Manners
by Elizabeth Devine and Nancy L. Braganti. International etiquette
expert: Mary Kay Metcalf of Creative Marketing Alliance in New Jersey.
