That's technically the yoga-ized translation, though. It's actually more along the lines of "I bow to you", Sanskrit-wise, or to be said as offering as a salutation. There are versions that translate along the lines of 'the god/light in me sees and honors the god/light in you', but that's not really strictly accurate. Though I do know that white people go around saying 'Namaste' to each other all the time, since it's currently trendy.
That aside, it's still an incredibly weird thing to do/say, just because it's not necessarily a greeting that'll be understood by the person it's being aimed at, and it's got a specific cultural context, especially for people who are from that region. Like me -- if you say it to me, my reaction is to be offended that you're conflating Indians and Sri Lankans, even though you're doing it with full knowledge that I'm Sri Lankan and I know that. Someone who has a very specific sense of cultural identity doesn't appreciate having something from another culture applied to them.
Friend suggested that it's like "if someone says they're Pagan, assuming that 'Blessed Be' is the appropriate greeting, when they might follow a Nordic Tradition for all you know." Since I'm an atheist, I don't really get what that means, but I'm assuming it's bad and shows disrespect for the fact that there's more diversity within a certain culture than just the people who say 'Blessed Be'.
I stay out of theology discussions, so I have no idea if it's appropriate there or not. XD But in general passing, if you're going to just greet someone with "Namaste", I'd say it's best to check first that they're Hindu or Nepalese -- or, considering its current appropriation, a white yoga fan. XD
no subject
That aside, it's still an incredibly weird thing to do/say, just because it's not necessarily a greeting that'll be understood by the person it's being aimed at, and it's got a specific cultural context, especially for people who are from that region. Like me -- if you say it to me, my reaction is to be offended that you're conflating Indians and Sri Lankans, even though you're doing it with full knowledge that I'm Sri Lankan and I know that. Someone who has a very specific sense of cultural identity doesn't appreciate having something from another culture applied to them.
Friend suggested that it's like "if someone says they're Pagan, assuming that 'Blessed Be' is the appropriate greeting, when they might follow a Nordic Tradition for all you know." Since I'm an atheist, I don't really get what that means, but I'm assuming it's bad and shows disrespect for the fact that there's more diversity within a certain culture than just the people who say 'Blessed Be'.
I stay out of theology discussions, so I have no idea if it's appropriate there or not. XD But in general passing, if you're going to just greet someone with "Namaste", I'd say it's best to check first that they're Hindu or Nepalese -- or, considering its current appropriation, a white yoga fan. XD