I don't want to be offensive. How can I pay respect?
Buddhist monks and nuns are celibate and avoid bodily contact in general (especially with the opposite sex). So instead of shaking hands, we greet one another by joining palms.
Give it a little time: visiting a Buddhist monastery is like taking a trip to a foreign land, full of history, culture, and tradition. Give yourself a little time; to settle in and get adjusted. You'll learn some Buddhist etiquette during the class.