In reply to:
There is an enjoyable awkwardness that results from the use of both the namaste and the hand shake. You have just been introduced to the other you greet the person with hands folded in a Namaste to realize the other has his hand held out in an expectance of a shake. So you quickly change and hold out your hand only to find his hand is not there. He has withdrawn his hand to fold it to a Namaste. One person still has a hand held out and the other has his folded. You can carry on like that for a while making no contact at all.
I love it, Avy! The namaste/handshake greeting dilemma adds another dimension to "Should I kiss or not kiss?/Should I kiss on the lips or the cheek?/One cheek or two?/Should I contact or air-kiss?/Should I hug?/With or without mutual back-slapping?". The permutations of disastrous greetings/introductions are almost endless!
