Pairi Padan

An oft repeated phrase in every gathering of family and relatives, 'Pairi Padan/Pai Lagoon' has survived for god knows how long in our dialect. It is the quintessential greeting between two relatives whenever and wherever they chance to meet. We as the young ones are instructed by our dear parents "Beta ye tumhare uncle/aunt/grand-relatives hain, inke pair chuo." And we being the obedient misfits do as told without thinking about it. Bending down in whatever minimal space we might have, to touch the feet of the elderly/not so elderly person standing in front of us. This act of respect is intended more for the latter's blessings than the formers backbone exercise.
But over the years the value of this exercise seems to be lost to me. I mean what is the point? Do the elderly give their blessings only on having their feet touched? Ok, it might be a gesture of respect and reverence, agreed, but i wonder when you don't know a person and probably would never see him/her again in your life, is he/she really appreciative of you to give their heart felt blessings after just a small gesture which may or may not amount to a lot in the first place. I mean if you really consider it, you are giving your blessings to a total stranger on the pretext of family. You don't do that to every person you might meet on the road, do you? So what makes it special in the familial circles?
Coupled with all that is the intent behind the initial gesture of respect. Majority of the times this gesture is thrust upon us rather than coming from the heart as it rightly should. You are left in a very uncomfortable situation where you get to learn about the long and distant relationship you might have with the other party. Where do you go and find that immediate respect when you don't know the person standing in front of you. I remember one particular family gathering where my mom tugged at my arm and took me a to a line of aunt's sitting on the chairs sipping cola. So there i was bending down, seeking blessings, standing up, moving a step forward and repeating the exercise. A matter of fact, by the time i reached aunt no. 4 i had forgotten who was aunt no. 1 and today i don't even remember who all were sitting there that night in those chairs.
Well all this may sound blasphemous to the ones having really strong family ties but i believe that respect should come from the heart. You can't create respect at t=0. So it would be better if people think about what and why they are doing things (even if its a small thing). But having been put through numerous instances of being introduced to strangers and instructed to touch the feet i would say that I'm not complaining. Sure the situation amuses me and i find the whole exercise futile but i know my respects come from the heart most of the times and are fabricated only in few cases although i'm not very sure about the blessings..................