7 Habits of Indonesian People that You Need to Know before do Interaction !

When you visited a place which located in different state, city, country, even the continent, you may find the differences about culture, lifesyle, social-values, and other unique things. Before you meet local people in person, you should understand their culture in order to avoid the misunderstanding.

Have you ever meet Indonesian people in person? What are you thinking about them? For some of you who ever meet local people in person. May the list below will remind you about their characters. But for those who never interacted with local people, i hope these lists will help you to face the culture shock. Before going travel to Indonesia, here's the habits of Indonesian people you need to know.

1. Friendly and warm (always smiling)

There are lot of tribes in Indonesia -+ 300. Every tribe has their own culture and language. But as a nation, they have the similarities such as smiling meet new people, asking your day, and giving help easily. Besides that, here people appreciate the diversity and respect one another. 

You are very welcomed if you come to Indonesia. Try by yourselves !

2. Respect the older people than you

If you meet the person who is older than you, you should give your respect such as don't call his/her name in direct. You should put title such as "kakak (brother for man/sister for woman) for a person who has not married yet. Also for people who have married, you should call them "ibu (miss)+ name" and "Bapak (mister) + name". That is the way to show your respect and your politeness.

3. Rubber time 

Haha this is actually most well-known by foreigner when make an appoinment to local people. It is hard for them to be ontime. As an example, when they made appoinment for dinner at 6 p.m, the dinner will not start at 6 p.m, it could be started at 6.30 p.m or 7.00 p.m. 

Actually, rubber time is not the part of culture. But it is an habit of most Indonesian people. So, don't got shocked when you see a lot of them are coming late in event.

4. Eating Rice

Indonesian people only have 3 times meal in a day such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But, here is the uniqueness. Mostly Indonesian people enjoy their time for tea and snacks too, but you can not say that they have enjoy their meals. Because the definition of eating the meals for them is when you are eating rice. If you are not eating rice, they will say you have not yet your meals. Even when you have eat the noodles or a lot of protein but without rice, it will not be categorized as eating the meals. Also, the craziest thing you may find that they eat rice and noodles together without protein and vegetables and it is categorized by having meals. Sounds weird right? 

5. Motorcycle are everywhere in the road

Motorcycle is the most simple and efficient vehicle in order to help local people' activities and go anywhere especially for the big city such as Jakarta to face traffic jam every day and small cities where do not have public transportation. Since most people do not like to walk even for 1 kilometers, they tend to using the motorcycle to reach the destination spots. Even in Indonesia has the software application similar "GRAB" which called "GOJEK" means ( Go + Ojek (indonesia language) or Motorcycle). This software has become well-known in a few countries such as Singapore and Vietnam.

6. Always using the right hand

When you are accept or giving something to local people, never use the left hand ! It is not polite if using the left hand! Left hand means dirty for them, because left hand is using for splashing. So that, in Indonesia always using the right hand to accept and give a thing. If you have to accept or giving use the left hand, you should say sorry. It is a polite way.

7. Eating with bare hands

This culture similar with India, eating with bare hands. Most people in the world when eating, they are using spoon, fork, knife, and chopstick. But in Indonesia, they can using spoon and fork, but they prefer to use hands than tableware. Because using hands is much easier and the taste of food is more delicious for them. You should try it and comment below !

So, what do you think the list above ?

Knowing Indonesian people' character and culture will help you to interact with them.

Also, it will help you much when do travelling in Indonesia if you ask the local people to guide you.

Any question, please contact us via email bewilderingindonesia@gmail.com and check updates via Instagram @bewilderingindonesia