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Indonesia Local Customs


Mum & Dad. - Indonesia
Mum & Dad.
by Bill_Steg
Learn the local customs of Indonesia. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Indonesia locals.
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YOUR 'PET NAME' BY THE LOCALS
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  • pangtidor
  • By pangtidor on October 9, 2007
  • Indonesia Page by pangtidor
  • Smile..The Circus Comes to Town - Indonesia
    Smile..The Circus Comes
    to Town
    by pangtidor
    The guest will be the king for the host in Indonesia. The travel warnings and terrorists' attacks may lead you to the misinterpretation on how the Indonesians will react toward the Westerners. In fact, you will see many Indonesians welcome you with their generousity. Domestic tourists and the tourists from surrounding countries could be seen as local people here. The 'White and Black' people could be seen as circus comes to town when you visit a smaller cities in Indonesia. You will be greeted all along the way, so just smile and say hello. The White/Caucasians will be called as BULE (boo-lay) and the Black/Africans will be called as NEGRO or AFRICA. DON'T BE OFFENDED !!! That is the way of local people to address you, dont misinterpret it as an intimidation. By seeing their face full of smile by saying your 'pet name', you will know that it is not the way to intimidate you.:-)

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    THE ETHICS AND HOW TO ADDRESS THE LOCAL
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  • pangtidor
  • By pangtidor on December 19, 2007
  • Indonesia Page by pangtidor
  • Every country has their own way to respect others accordingly, depend on their own culture. When you travel to Indonesia, knowing the ethics of local people could be helpful to enjoy your time more. The most important thing is RESPECT THE ELDERS. When somebody is much older than you (like your parents’ ages), you should not call him/her by their name. Call him with PAK (pack) or BAPAK (bah-pack) before his name. For a lady, call her BU (boo) or IBU (ee-boo) before her name. A bow, a smile, raising your hand, or saying hi/hello will be appropriate when somebody greets you. Shaking hands will be ok in all the places. For the relatives or close friends, a hug is ok. Kissing each other cheeks will be accepted among the female. Male don’t suppose to do to the female when you don’t know each other. In the big cities, it will be ok. In most of areas, for the casual occasion you may address the female as MBAK (mm-bag) and male as MAS (mass), or you may call them by their own name. Use your right hand for giving/getting something to/from others and for shaking hands. In most of the areas, touching somebody’s head (the stranger) is considered as disrespectful. Always say thank you for your appreciation. It is TERIMA KASIH (tah-ree-ma kah-seeh) in INDONESIA.

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    Ask permission before taking a photo to someone
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  • tere1
  • Updated By tere1 on August 15, 2006
  • Indonesia Page by tere1
  • The woman with the pigs - Indonesia
    The woman with the pigs
    by tere1
    In Bali you should never take a photo of the locals without asking them permission. Many people don't like it and it happened to me.

    I tried to take a photo of a woman who was walking in the street with some little pigs on her head. She turned around, not letting me take a shot of her face. My guide then explained me that many people believe that if you take their photos you can take away their souls. It's a religious thing.

    So don't make the same mistake I did. I was able though to get this pic of her from behind.

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    Batik Art
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  • tere1
  • Updated By tere1 on August 17, 2006
  • Indonesia Page by tere1
  • Doing batik - Indonesia
    Doing batik
    by tere1
    The Batik of Bali provides another venue of showing the artistic excellence of the Balinese people. Their beautiful designs, inspired by religious mythologies to everyday encounters, spread throughout the world.

    Originally stimulated by Javanese motifs, dominated by mythological characters, contemporary batik artists have also experienced artistic development that parallels that of paintings.

    The Ikat and Double Ikat are two amazing techniques that the Balinese have perfected.
    The village of Tenganan is well known for its superb double ikat work. A good piece of double ikat may take months to complete, and it usually belongs to the family heirloom.

    You can find pieces of batik anywhere in Bali and you can also visit these textile manufacturers and watch them working.

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    Sumatra and Kalimantan are at...
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  • Pierre_Rouss
  • Updated By Pierre_Rouss on October 12, 2002
  • Indonesia Page by Pierre_Rouss
  • Indonesia Local Customs
    by Pierre_Rouss
    Sumatra and Kalimantan are at least 97% Muslim. That brings with it all muslim cultural related tips : they pray a few times a day, don't use your left hand to give or receive something, no pork, etc...
    Fondest memories : Being awaken at 5 AM in the morning by prayers sung through loud speakers for EVERYBODY to ear and listen to. Same thing late in the evening while relaxing on a patio.

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    Bahasa Indonesia
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  • Sharrie
  • Updated By Sharrie on November 9, 2002
  • Indonesia Page by Sharrie
  • Indonesia Local Customs
    by Sharrie
    Yes - Ya
    No - Tidak
    Thank you - Terima Kasih
    Please - Silahkan/Tolong
    Sorry - Maaf
    Excuse Me - Maaf
    I don't understand - Saya tidak mengerti
    Do you speak English? - Apakah anda bisa bicara bahasa Inggeris?
    How are you? - Apa Kabar?
    Good morning - Selamat pagi
    Good afternoon - Selamat siang
    Good night - Selamat malam
    Good bye - Selamat tinggal

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    CRAZY DRIVING
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  • Onedragon
  • Updated By Onedragon on March 4, 2008
  • Indonesia Page by Onedragon
  • Indonesia Local Customs
    by Onedragon, 4 more photos
    ONE THING THAT SEEMS TO BE A CUSTOM IS ENTERING INTO THE WILD AND CRAZY TRAFFIC DRIVING ANTICS OF JAKARTA!!! : ) IF YOU DRIVE SAFELY YOU MIGHT GET HIT..?? !!!

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    The main religion is Hinduism...
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  • sandravdp
  • By sandravdp on September 8, 2002
  • Indonesia Page by sandravdp
  • Indonesia Local Customs
    by sandravdp
    The main religion is Hinduism at Bali Island, most other Indonesian islands are muslim islands. One thing you will see everytime of this religion are the offers for the gods on the streets (little flowerbaskets) and the drawing / puppet etc. of the good God Barong.

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    The people from Indonesian are...
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  • sandravdp
  • By sandravdp on September 8, 2002
  • Indonesia Page by sandravdp
  • Indonesia Local Customs
    by sandravdp
    The people from Indonesian are very kind. They are polite and sometimes will try to speak your language.
    On Bali most people are Hindus. They offer flowers in tiny baskets they plant on the sidewalk. Don't step on it!
    When greeting, never offer your lefthand, they think it's your dirtyhand. The hand that wipes your behind.
    Indonesian try to sell you their things. Never buy their food at takeaways it has been lying there for ages. Also watch out buying other things. Most labelthings are fake (a rolex watch is not real e.g.)
    When invited you can visit a dance or funeral. Dress properly. They like you to wear a long dress and a hat.

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    Modest Dress for Women
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  • Chezal
  • Updated By Chezal on March 7, 2009
  • Indonesia Page by Chezal
  • Due to Indonesia being a largely Muslim country dress should remain modest outside of Bali. Many female travellers come straight from Thailand and continue to wear revealing clothing and then wonder why they are being stared at by men.

    To avoid unwanted attention, particularly in remote areas women should have their shoulders covered. Simple t-shirt will do, avoid strappy tops and tops that show off cleavage. Moreover, just show that you respect the local culture by covering up a bit.

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