A gesture with a special meaning in Nepal is touching an elder's feet, or bending down to touch the ground near their feet, as a sign of respect. I'm a twenty-three-year-old hotel receptionist in Pokhara, and it's something I've done since I was tiny.
People use it on important occasions, especially during Dashain, our biggest festival, when younger family members go to their elders to receive tika, a red mark on the forehead, and blessings. You also see it at weddings, when someone leaves home for a long time, or when you meet a respected teacher or grandparent you haven't seen for a while. Some students do it before exams too, to ask for good luck.
It's mostly younger people who do it to older people. Children and teenagers bow to parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. A daughter-in-law might also touch the feet of her husband's parents, especially in more traditional families.
The gesture means humility and gratitude. By lowering yourself, you're showing that you recognise their age, experience and everything they've done for you. In return, the elder places a hand on your head and gives a blessing, so it's really a two-way exchange of love. I think it's important because it keeps generations connected. In cities, families are getting busier and more scattered, and young people sometimes feel distant from their grandparents. This one small action reminds both sides of their relationship. I once explained it to some guests from Germany at the hotel, and they found it quite moving, although one of them admitted it would feel strange in his culture.