Table of Contents
Why is the left hand considered unclean in Indonesia?
Throughout Indonesian society the left hand is used for “toilet duties” and is therefore considered unclean. In Indonesia, it is rude and offensive to hand someone something with your left hand, especially food or drink, or to shake hands with your left hand.
What is family life like in Indonesia?
Indonesian people are very family-oriented. Family holds the most important meaning for Indonesian culture. The relationship between each member of the family is close, although it’s rare to see family members showing their feelings and affection openly.
How can I impress my parents in Indonesia?
A Guide to Meet Your Indonesian Date’s Parents
- Relax and enjoy the moment.
- Engage in the conversation.
- Cut the tension.
- Be there for your partner.
- Bring them a meeting gift.
- Take the bill.
Are Indonesians quiet?
Soft Voices: When initially meeting a stranger, an Indonesian may speak quite softly and submissively. However, they usually have no reservations in raising their voices when they get excited and can be quite loud once you get to know them.
Do Indonesians have a sense of personal space?
Due, no doubt, to the high concentration of the population, Indonesians have little, if any, sense of personal space or privacy. There is no word in the Indonesian language for “privacy”. Gossip and curiosity is rampant and Indonesians will ask you a wide range of personal questions without batting an eye.
What are the characteristics of Indonesian culture?
Along with unity and conformity to society’s rules, honor and respect for the individual is the basis of Indonesian culture. Indonesians value loyalty to family and friends above all else. Life is simple for most people; most enjoy few modern conveniences, such as running water.
How should foreigners approach relationships in Indonesia?
But, foreigners should allow time to be accepted and to develop good relationships before this is acceptable. Indonesians are used to an overcrowded society; they tend to ignore inadvertent invasions of space. Allowing for personal space is a sign of respect. A man does not touch a woman in public except to shake hands.
Do different cultures see personal space differently?
Different cultures see personal space differently. The late Canadian psychologist Sidney Jourard conducted well-known research, called the coffee study, in the U.S., France, the UK, and Puerto Rico. He watched people sitting in cafes and recorded the rate at which people touched each other in a one-hour sitting.