>>I don't see why that should be taken as a gaff. Somehow you're supposed to know how to address everyone in every hierarchy, what to do and what not to do in every club imaginable, or else what?
>
>I later read that it is bad form to touch a bhuddist priest. Maybe he had to endure a cleansing ritual afterwards or something.

And it's bad if you ask an angler where he's going, and it's good to touch a button when you see a chimney sweep, and...

Whatever their religion tells them to do because of this or that, is their private matter, a something they took upon themselves when choosing it, all part of the package. I don't see any compelling reason to succumb to that kind of pressure - don't touch them, or else they will do so-and-so. I really don't get it, why would anyone have to obey the rules of something one isn't a member, or a guest of?

2nd update: if he has to cleanse himself after being in touch with me, he's a racist.