Indonesian Cultural Habits
During
your stay in Indonesi
you are certain to come across some strange sights and baffling behavior. What
seems strange or baffling to a foreigner may, however be perfectly normal to an
Indonesian. It all depends on one’s perception. The following hints are an
attempt to explain some Indonesian habits and idiosyncrasies.
Burping
It is not considered impolite to burp, and can even be
regarded as a sign of appreciation of a good meal, therefore Indonesians
generally do not excuse themselves after burping.
Coughing and sneezing
It is not common for traditional and less educated
people in Indonesia to carry handkerchiefs or tissues, and often they do not
understand how diseases are spread. Therefore it is not unusual to see people
coughing or sneezing openly without attempting to cover their mouth or nose. If
your domestic staff or driver have this habit, it would be best to explain to
them your concerns and then provide them with some tissues and ask them to
cover their mouth or nose when coughing and sneezing. Alternately, you might
suggest they cough or sneeze into their sleeve (not their hands as it spreads
the germs when they come into contact with other things).
Kerok
This is the name given to the custom of rubbing a coin
on a person’s back in combination with the application of balsam or lotion in
order to relieve aches and pains known as “masuk angin” or “wind coming in”. It
can be quite shocking to see one of your staff members with red welts or dark
red marks showing on their neck or back. As the coin is rubbed hard in a
pattern of lines in order to break blood vessels under the surface to “release
the wind”. It actually does not hurt the person who is suffering “masuk angin”
but provides (to their way of thinking/believing) relief from pain, headache or
flu symptoms.
Smoking
The vast majority of Indonesian men smoke,
excessively! There are many public spaces where you will inevitably have to
breathe in cigarette smoke. There is a general lack of understanding as to the
detrimental effects on the health of cigarette smoking, and little
consciousness of the dangers of inhaling secondhand smoke. A law that banned
smoking in transportation terminals, malls, offices, hospitals, schools,
universities, places of worship, buses, trains and playgrounds has been in
effect in Jakarta since 2006, but it is not entirely enforced. Most office buildings and public areas of
malls are complying, however, there will still be a smoking section in most
restaurants.
Use of the Left Hand
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. When you think of where
that person’s left hand has been, you probably wouldn’t want anything from it
anyhow! If your right hand is occupied, it is best to try and switch the item
to your left prior to receiving an object. If you are forced, due to
circumstances, to hand something to someone with your left hand, acknowledge
the unavoidable cultural slight by saying “Maaf, tangan kiri.” (Sorry, I had to
use my left hand).
Squatting toilets
SquatCommonly found in public toilets of
less-developed Asian countries, squatting toilets can be quite a challenge
especially for the non-budget travelers. They require certain degree of knee
strength and tolerance, especially if it’s your first time. It can get quite
visual as well, if you know what I mean.
Growing long nails on their
last fingers
long nail The Chinese and Indonesians have always
deemed long fingernails as a sign of beauty and wealth, since ancient times;
these days, you’ll be surprised at what people use them for. Long nails are
perfect tools for Asians to pick their ears, teeth or nose, and oh, only the
little pinkie gets to do the dirty job!Some say that the Indonesians and
Indians also use their pinkie nails for another purpose.Particularly for
countries in the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia, public toilet floors are
also wet most of the time.
Indonesian staple food is
rice.
Since rice has been the main staple food for
Indonesian, many Indonesian thinks they haven’t really had meal before they eat
riceIndonesian loves hot and spicy foods. Their standard for ‘hot and spicy’ is
higher than most people in the world.Indonesian loves food, and talking.
Although talking while eating considered impolite, but bringing the ‘food’
topics in every conversation is always welcome.Indonesian can celebrate
everything with food. Even in the fasting month, they celebrate it with “buka
puasa bersama” (breaking the fast together).Indonesian eats warm meal for
breakfast, lunch and dinner.In the morning, Indonesian only consume hot or warm
food and beverage. Cold drinks and fruit are not to be consumed in the morning
because it is believed can cause stomach-ache.
Dutch culture
When living in the Netherlands, you will discover many
habits which you will identify as typically Dutch, and may be rather different
to what you are used to. When living abroad, such challenges come with the
territory. Finding out more about Dutch customs and habits is not only
interesting and sometimes amusing, but it also helps you to better understand
the Dutch people around you. These cultural habits are also reflected in
education, read about this in ‘Cultural differences in education’.
Since cultures differ it is a good
thing to learn a few things about the Dutch culture
and habits. Maybe some Dutch habits will seem strange to you, but in general the
Dutch are quite easy going. This chapter will help you to get started.
and habits. Maybe some Dutch habits will seem strange to you, but in general the
Dutch are quite easy going. This chapter will help you to get started.
We’re all equal
In general the Dutch are easy going when it comes to formalities. They more or less
see and treat everyone equally. Maybe you will be taken aback a little by the fact that
especially in the academic world, the relationship between students and the academic
staff is usually informal in the way that they address each other.
Hello and good-bye
When they get together, friends will usually say ‘Hi’ to each other and sometimes
shake hands. If the friend concerned is female, you may add three kisses on the cheeks
usually starting on the right side. Of course, if you do not feel comfortable doing it
this way, you can get by with just shaking hands.
Everything according to plan
The Dutch lead very planned lives. At 10.30 a.m. they drink coffee. Lunch (usually
sandwiches) is around 1 p.m. At approximately 3 p.m. they drink coffee or tea.
At 6 p.m. most people eat their hot evening meal. At 8 p.m. they watch the news.
At approximately 11 p.m. most Dutch people go to bed.
The Weather
The Dutch spend a lot of time talking about the weather. Many conversations begin with:
‘Nice weather, isn’t it?’ Or: ‘My God, it just won’t clear up, will it?’ If you want to strike up
a conversation with a stranger, talk about the weather: you can’t go wrong. Many people
complain about the weather, but most Dutch wouldn’t want to live in another climate.
In general the Dutch are easy going when it comes to formalities. They more or less
see and treat everyone equally. Maybe you will be taken aback a little by the fact that
especially in the academic world, the relationship between students and the academic
staff is usually informal in the way that they address each other.
Hello and good-bye
When they get together, friends will usually say ‘Hi’ to each other and sometimes
shake hands. If the friend concerned is female, you may add three kisses on the cheeks
usually starting on the right side. Of course, if you do not feel comfortable doing it
this way, you can get by with just shaking hands.
Everything according to plan
The Dutch lead very planned lives. At 10.30 a.m. they drink coffee. Lunch (usually
sandwiches) is around 1 p.m. At approximately 3 p.m. they drink coffee or tea.
At 6 p.m. most people eat their hot evening meal. At 8 p.m. they watch the news.
At approximately 11 p.m. most Dutch people go to bed.
The Weather
The Dutch spend a lot of time talking about the weather. Many conversations begin with:
‘Nice weather, isn’t it?’ Or: ‘My God, it just won’t clear up, will it?’ If you want to strike up
a conversation with a stranger, talk about the weather: you can’t go wrong. Many people
complain about the weather, but most Dutch wouldn’t want to live in another climate.
Ali Khan Niazi from Pakistan
"Stenden is fun and living in the Netherlands is superb. Still it would be wise not to expect too much.
For your own good, I have the following pieces of advice for you all
"Stenden is fun and living in the Netherlands is superb. Still it would be wise not to expect too much.
For your own good, I have the following pieces of advice for you all
1. Never trust the three W’s hear:
‘Weather, Work and Weed’;
2. If you wish to integrate into the Dutch Society, better remember these three words by heart: ‘Gratis, Korting and Actie’;
3. Never refuse a generous invitation by the Dutch, but bear in mind;
They won’t let you walk away without paying your own drinks.’’
2. If you wish to integrate into the Dutch Society, better remember these three words by heart: ‘Gratis, Korting and Actie’;
3. Never refuse a generous invitation by the Dutch, but bear in mind;
They won’t let you walk away without paying your own drinks.’’
Punctuality
Dutch people often keep track of the exact time. In general, they are punctual. If you
are late, this irritates them very much. The Dutch equate not being on time with not
being trustworthy; they can’t count on you. A person who is late for a job interview
will not be hired. Tip: always be on time. In the Netherlands, it is better to be ten
minutes early than five minutes late.
Coffee
Coffee is an essential part of Dutch life. When the Dutch invite you to their homes,
they often promptly serve you a cup of coffee or tea. Is this a hint that you should
not stay too long? Quite the contrary: In the Netherlands, a steaming cup of coffee
is a hearty welcome. With each cup your host or hostess will offer you a cookie – one
cookie, mind you – after which the lid goes back on the cookie tin. The Dutch see
nothing uncongenial whatsoever in this ritual. Usually you will be offered a second cup
of coffee, again with one cookie. When two Dutch people have something to discuss, a
typical remark is: ‘Shall we have some coffee?’. This same expression is also used when the
beverage is not coffee, but tea.
Dropping by unannounced
The Dutch almost never visit each other without making an ‘appointment’ first. This
include close friends. People almost never drop by unannounced. The same rule
applies to family: first you call them (‘How would it be if we came by today?’). If your
visit would be inconvenient, your host will simply tell you so: ‘No, today isn’t a good
day. Come another time if you like’. The Dutch do not consider this rude or blunt,
but ‘honest’. In these situations,
honesty is considered more important than tact. The
Dutch also like to know exactly when you intend to arrive. That gives them time to tidy
up the room and have a steaming cup of coffee ready when you ring the doorbell.
Getting straight to the point
When the Dutch have to discuss a difficult topic, their usual approach is to plunge
right into it. They hardly even take the time to sit and relax. They do not gradually
work up to the difficult subject, but come straight to the point. To you this probably
makes a blunt and tactless impression.
Dutch also like to know exactly when you intend to arrive. That gives them time to tidy
up the room and have a steaming cup of coffee ready when you ring the doorbell.
Getting straight to the point
When the Dutch have to discuss a difficult topic, their usual approach is to plunge
right into it. They hardly even take the time to sit and relax. They do not gradually
work up to the difficult subject, but come straight to the point. To you this probably
makes a blunt and tactless impression.
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