Respect and other signs of physical affection. It is uncommon to see very many hand gestures being used in Chinese culture because this is often considered to be excessive. Traditionally, there was not much hand-shaking in Chinese culture. However, this gesture is now widely practiced among men, especially when greeting Westerners or other foreigners. Many Westerners may find Chinese handshakes to be too long or too weak, but this is because a weaker handshake is a gesture of humility and respect. Kowtowing, or kneeling and bowing so deeply that one's forehead is touching the floor, is practiced during worship at temples.
Bowing one performs it to and hands pressed together generally at chest level. Practised throughout South Asia and Southeast Asia, the gesture is most commonly used in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia. Gestures across the region are known by different names such as the "wai" in Thailand, "sampeah" in Cambodia and Laos, "sembah" in Indonesia, "namaste" in India and Nepal, and in Sri Lanka the gesture is used as a greeting with the word "Ayubowan". Bowing is an integral part of traditional martial arts. Bows are used to begin and end practice, sparring bouts and