Indonesia

Greetings

Man greeting Man – Handshakes are the most common form of greeting. Always use the right hand. They are usually gentle and can last awhile. Many times the handshake is accompanied with a slight bow of the head and a smile. There are occasions where after shaking hands both parties put their palm to their heart. This indicates respect for the other person. This could also be shown by putting the hand in front of the chest in a prayer or “wai” position.

Woman greeting Woman- While handshakes are a common form of greeting, many times a simple nod of acknowledgment will suffice. Always use the right hand. There are occasions where after shaking hands both parties put their palm to their heart. This indicates respect for the other person. This could also be shown by putting the hand in front of the chest in a prayer or “wai” position.

Greetings between Men & Woman- Touching between men and women is rare accept to exchange handshakes. It is always best to wait for the women to initiate. Always use the right hand. Sometimes women will put their hands in front of their chest in the prayer position, which indicates they prefer not shaking hands. In these instances it is best for the men to mirror the gesture.

Communication Style

• Saving face is a big part of the culture. It is expected to not say anything bad to anyone, especially in formal meetings or in front of others. If there's some resentment it should be addressed carefully to the person, informally, or use a third-party who is considered close to the person, but almost never in front of others. This can be frustrating for those who come from Western countries.
• A personal approach is highly valued. Face-to-face meetings tend to get more attention rather than fax/email/phone calls.

Personal Space & Touch

• Indonesians tend to prefer standing at least arms lengths from one another. When conversing with friends and close acquaintances this distance is a bit shorter

• Amongst friends and close acquaintances of the same sex, there is a decent amount touching during conversation.

• There is almost no touching between men and women while conversing.

• Kissing and hugging in public is to be avoided at all costs.

• Indonesians tend to stand close to each other, especially in public places. So when you are queuing and can feel the person behind you breathing on to your neck, it is not meant to be rude.

• Women tend to hold hands with each other but this is not a romantic gesture.

• It's advisable to avoid touching between opposite sexes (like hand on shoulders) unless they initiate first.

Eye Contact

• Indonesians tend to stare at something that appears unusual to them. So if you're a Westerner (white) in a bus full of Indonesians, expect everybody to look at you..

• Indonesians tend to favor indirect eye contact over direct. They may view overtly direct eye contact as suspicious and threatening.

• During conversation it is best to use direct eye contact intermittently.

Gestures

• People beckon one another by extending an arm and making a scratching motion with their fingers.
• Beckoning or pointing with a finger is considered bad form. Using an open palm or your thumb with the rest of your fingers clenched in fist is the way to go.
• Always use your right hand only to pass or receive an object.
• When pointing at something, people (especially Javanese) tend to use the thumb rather than an index finger. Many times this is accompanied with a slight bow that indicates they respect you.
• A slight bow is polite when saying hello and goodbye to a host.
• Smiling is very prevalent and is often used even when people don't like something or they don't agree.
• Many people will nod even though they don't understand. This relates back to saving face as they don't want to embarrass the other person by making them repeat the question.

Views of Time

• The term rubber time is famous. Time tends to be very flexible and one can expect to have meetings canceled without prior notice, or delayed.

• Indonesians tend to view time in a more relaxed sense for the most part. They put more emphasis on people and relationships, rather than set schedules and deadlines.

• While the bus, train, and plane schedules will be adhered to for the most part, meeting times and deadlines are usually flexible.

Gender Roles

• In big cities work opportunities for women are as equal as men. But just like many other Asian countries, domestic chores are mainly the women's area and men are rarely asked to contribute.

• In big cities going to local bars and clubs are ok for women, although they tend to do so in a group and rarely go alone. However in other cities such bars and clubs don't even exist so always check with your local counterpart about the situation.

• Indonesia is a patriarchal society and although women make up a decent part of the workforce, they still tend to be second to their male counterparts when it comes to responsibilities, salaries, and status.

• Given that a large majority of Indonesians are Muslim, it is best for women to avoid revealing clothing and heavy make-up.

Taboos

• Avoid touching or passing object over the top of anyone’s head as it is viewed as the most sacred body part.

• Avoid standing with hands on hips as it can be construed as anger or a threat.

• Avoid showing anyone the soles of your shoes while seated. It is considered an extreme offense.

• Avoid kissing, hugging, and excessive touching between sexes in public.

Law & Order

• The legal age to purchase alcohol is 18 and enforced. Sales to Muslims are highly illegal. There is no legal age for consumption.

• The legal smoking age is 18 and is becoming increasingly enforced as well.

• Penalties for possession, acquisition, and trafficking of drugs are severe and include mandatory life imprisonment in local jails and death.

Dress

• For Men - Wear conservative, dark colored business suits. Suit-shirt-tie outfit typically indicates that someone is an executive. The traditional long-sleeved batik shirt is also appropriate in formal and business situations.
• For Women - Wear suits or dresses that are elegant and feminine with good quality accessories. Avoid short, tight fitting, and sleeveless attire..
• Jeans are often acceptable in industries like advertising, cosmetics, and oil & gas.
• Some traditional outfits like a long-sleeve batik shirt can be expected to be worn on formal gatherings as a substitute of shirt-tie-suit.
• If you are invited to a traditional wedding, men tend to wear batik and women tend to wear traditional dress like kebaya.

Titles & Business Cards

• Indonesians are proud of their titles; they tend to display everything in their name cards. So you would see something like H. Anita McKay, BA, MA, Const. Mgmt. The H means Hajjah (Haj). The Haj title is as important as the graduate title and position in the company.

• Business cards are exchanged during meetings using both hands with the writing facing the other person, with a slight bow. Always treat business card with respect. It’s best to never write on or fold a business card you are given

• Titles are very important and to be safe it is best to address people by using their professional title or Mr., Mrs., or Miss, followed by the surname.

• Mispronouncing someone’s name is considered bad form, so be sure to ask for a spelling or pronunciation before.

Meetings

• Arriving on time for a meeting is important even though they may not begin exactly on time.

• Hierarchy is very important in Indonesian culture, so it is always best to defer to the most senior person in the room when it comes to beginning and guiding conversations.

• Expect ample time for small talk to begin and end a meeting.

• Periods of silence are considered acceptable and are to be expected.

• Avoid interrupting, showing displeasure through facial or eye movements and talking over someone. Be patient and speak in a gentle manner.

Negotiations

• Indonesians value relationship building and harmony so avoid hard selling, pressure tactics and any sort of conflict or confrontation. Saving face is paramount.

• Decisions are usually made the top down and can take awhile, so patience is a must.

• Indonesians will avoid using no in answering questions. They tend to say, “maybe”, or “that would be difficult” or even “yes” or “no problem” even if the answer is really no.

• Sucking in air through your teeth is another way of meaning no.

Gift Giving

• Very simple gifts are often exchanged at a first meeting. Something with a corporate logo is usually the best way to go.

• Avoid the following gifts if possible: alcohol perfumes containing alcohol, pork or pork based products, knives, letter openers, and toy dogs or pictures of dogs.

• Gifts are usually to be opened in private.

• Click the links for Indonesians from Chinese and Indian backgrounds.

In the Classroom

• Dress is upscale casual as students usually wear slacks, shirts, pants, and blouses.
• Shorts, jeans, and tank-tops are not usually appropriate.
• Classes at most universities run from September to June.
• Most university grades are given on an A-C scale. The minimum passing grade is usually a C. Some institutions use a 1-10 scale with 10 being the highest.