Namaste (नमस्ते;) is a common spoken salutation in India and South Asia. It is a  greeting when individuals meet and a valediction upon parting. When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. This gesture, can also be performed wordlessly and carries the same meaning. In Sanskrit the word is namah + te = namaste which means “I bow to you” – my greetings, salutations or prostration to you. — From Wikipedia

I can be reached at shyam@pobox.com