Traditions of Indonesia

In Indonesia, etiquette – methods of showing respect (Indonesian: hormat) – has been considered as one of the key factors in social interactions. Etiquette varies greatly depending on one's status relative to the person being interacted with. Some key points of Indonesian etiquette include:[4]

• Hierarchical relationships are respected, emphasised and maintained,
• Respect is usually shown to those with status, power, position, and age
• Elders must be respected by doing a salim or gently touching the head of people elder to you
• Avoiding direct confirmation
• Saving one's face means one should consider others' dignity and avoid them to experience shame or humiliation.[5]
• Openly correcting or pointing one's mistake would cause someone to felt ashamed, and humiliating someone is considered extremely rude.
• Saying terima kasih ("thank you") after receiving services or favours demonstrates one's good manner.
• When greeting or introducing oneself, smiling, handshake (salam) and a slight nod is a good gesture, gently touch the counterpart’s extended hands, before finally bringing one’s hands back to the chest to demonstrate that you welcome from the heart.[5] The greeted party will then reciprocate this gesture.
• If it is not possible to handshake your counterparts, for example addressing larger crowds with a distance between you, making a greeting gesture by putting your hand together in front of your chess while slightly bowing. It is similar to Añjali Mudrā.
• Some conservative Indonesian Muslims might avoid direct touch with opposite sex including handshake, so performing non-touching salam (anjali) is recommended when greeting opposite sex that are conservative Muslims.
• Always using right hand, when shaking hands, offering a gift, handing or receiving something, eating, pointing or generally touching another person.[5]
• Do not touch the head of an adult, as it is commonly believed that the soul inhabits the head, and the head is therefore sacred.
• One should avoid putting their chin upward, putting their hands on their hips or pointing when talking to other people.
• Pointing toward someone with index fingers are considered rude, pointing with thumbs are considered more polite.
• Speaking softly but clear with a somewhat subdued tone is recommended, as speaking too loud is considered rude.
• Conservative and modest dress sense should be adopted — especially by women.[4]
• When visiting a place of worship, the proper dress etiquette for such places is of utmost importance.
• When entering a mosque, always remove your shoes.
• Bathing suit and swimwear are only suitable to wear in and around beaches and swimming pools.
• Women swimwear and bikini are best covered from hips with sarong when coming out from water.
• To announce your presence, ring a bell or knock at the door while saying assalamu 'alaikum if the host is Muslim, or more common permisi.
• Wait to be allowed to enter the house, and wait to be allowed to sit in guest room.
• Wait to be allowed to drink, finishing the whole cup is indicating that the guest wished the drink to be refilled.
• Do not overstay your welcome, the host will not express any sign of unwelcome since it is considered extremely rude. It is up to the guest to estimate the length of their visit and initiate the farewell.
• Food is often taken from a shared dish in the middle. In banquet seated dinner party, you will be served the food and it would not be considered rude if you helped yourself after that. Wait to be invited to eat before you start.
• It is better to sit down while eating, yet in some circumstances eating while standing is acceptable.
• Depending on the situation some people may use their hands to eat. Eat or pass food with your right hand only.
• Making sounds while eating is considered not polite, try not make a sound when slurping or the sound of spoon touching the dish.
• Trying not to mix and "play" with one's food too much, as it is considered as not polite and childish.
• Offer gifts with the right hand only, or better yet with both hands.
• Gifts are not opened when received.