Indonesia is full of attractions, from beautiful beach resorts and ancient ruins to vibrant markets. However, in this country with its diverse cultures and religions, there’s a possibility of unknowingly violating local manners or taboos.
I might not know much about Indonesian manners…!
To have an enjoyable trip, it’s important to understand the basic manners and taboos.
In this article, from the perspective of a resident in Indonesia, I will clearly explain 15 key points that travelers should be particularly aware of. We have carefully selected 15 essential manners and taboos to avoid embarrassment during your trip to Indonesia! From the perspective of a resident, we will explain points to note in various situations such as dining, greetings, clothing, religion, and money, with practical examples. You can feel at ease even on your first trip to Indonesia and make a good impression.
1. Don’t Use Your Left Hand! Eat and Shake Hands with Your Right Hand
In Indonesia, the left hand is considered unclean, so always use your right hand for eating, shaking hands, and passing objects. Using your left hand, especially while eating, is considered taboo.
It’s easy to overlook when giving a tip or receiving something, but always use your right hand.
2. Men Should Not Initiate a Handshake with a Woman (※When Meeting for the First Time)
In Indonesia, handshakes are common greetings, but men should avoid initiating physical contact unnecessarily.
It is also common for women to initiate a handshake by bringing their hands together and lightly touching, or almost touching, the other person’s hands.
3. Don’t Get Angry in Public
In Indonesia, getting angry in public is considered much more insulting than one might think.
It can deeply hurt the other person’s pride and feelings, so it’s better to call them aside for a one-on-one discussion. If you must address something in public, do so calmly without raising your voice or shouting.
4. Don’t Touch the Head
The head is considered a sacred part of the body (where gods reside), so be careful not to touch it casually, even with children.
It’s best to think that patting a child’s head is something only family members do.
5. Use the “Salim” Handshake for Elders and Respected Individuals
In Indonesia, there is a custom called “Salim.” It is a greeting that shows respect by taking the other person’s hand and touching the back of it to one’s forehead, mouth, or cheek.
Specific Situations for “Salim”
A child to a parent
Younger siblings to older siblings
A younger person to an elder
A student to a teacher
An employee to a supervisor
A wife to her husband
6. On Your Birthday, You’re the One Who Treats
In Indonesia, it’s a cultural norm for the person whose birthday it is to treat others to a meal or bring shareable food like pizza or donuts to the office.
Oh… so the birthday person pays? That’s the opposite of how it is in my country.
It might be easier to understand if you think of it as “sharing your happiness.” In general, Indonesian culture has a mindset of those who are blessed sharing with everyone.
So, because your birthday is a happy day for you, you treat others to share that “happiness”! That’s actually quite lovely.
7. Do Not Eat Pork (or Pork-derived Products) ※Islam
According to Islamic teachings, pork is considered unclean and is forbidden to eat. In Indonesia (especially outside of Bali and eastern Indonesia), where the majority of the population is Muslim, restaurants serving pork are few, and halal-certified meals are common.
When choosing a restaurant, be considerate of who you are with.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Restaurant with Indonesians
Is there a halal certification mark displayed?
Are there any pork items on the menu? (Are there any haram items?)
※The standards for these things vary from person to person. Some may be fine with a place that isn’t halal-certified as long as it doesn’t use pork.
Precautions for Choosing Souvenirs/Gifts
For Muslims, food is divided into halal (permitted) and haram (forbidden). Consuming haram food is a religious prohibition and a very important issue. Therefore, when giving food to a Muslim, you need to pay attention to the following points.
Halal certification marks from around the world
Halal Certification In many countries, it’s rare to see halal certification, and the number of certified food products is very limited. However, if a product has this certification, you can be sure that a Muslim can eat it with peace of mind.
Food Ingredients As mentioned before, the availability of halal-certified food is limited. Indonesians are aware of this, so the next thing to be careful about is whether the ingredients contain anything that is haram (forbidden).
In Islam, pork and alcohol are forbidden. Therefore, you need to check if these are included in the ingredients of the food.
Even if alcohol or pork doesn’t seem to be included, items containing pork-derived ingredients like “gelatin,” “shortening,” “lard,” or “emulsifiers” cannot be eaten.
8. Do Not Drink Alcoholic Beverages ※Islam
In Islam, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is also prohibited.
This is because it is believed that alcohol dulls the mind and can lead to inappropriate behavior. In Indonesia (outside of regions like Bali and eastern Indonesia), drinking alcohol in public is not common, and you should try to refrain from drinking, especially when Muslims are dining nearby.
Also, as a small consideration, many Indonesians are okay with their friends drinking alcohol, so it may be fine for you to drink. However, when taking pictures, try to avoid getting alcoholic beverages in the shot, and if they are, refrain from posting on social media.
9. Tipping and Donation Culture
Indonesia has a tipping culture. It is especially common to give a tip to parking attendants or when someone helps you with something, like carrying your belongings.
We explain the tipping culture and rates in Indonesia in detail in the following article. Please check it out as well.
10. Titles of Respect and Forms of Address for Elders
In Indonesia, age is very important, and you must not forget to show respect to your elders.
For older men, you should address them as “Bapak” or “Pak,” or use “Pak {Name}.”
For older women, you should address them as “Ibu” or “Bu,” or use “Bu {Name}.”
For people who are not elders, you use “Mas” for men and “Mba” for women.
However, the nuances of using these can be delicate and difficult, so we introduce them in detail in the following article. Please check it out as well.
11. Prohibition of Premarital and Extramarital Sex
On December 6, 2022, the Indonesian Parliament passed a revision to the criminal code that prohibits extramarital sex.
This revision was made to update the old criminal code, which was a remnant of the colonial era, but the new inclusion of a provision prohibiting extramarital sex has attracted significant attention both domestically and internationally.
Summary of the bill prohibiting extramarital sexual relations
Item
Content
Prohibited Act
Sexual intercourse between unmarried individuals
Applicable to
Indonesian citizens, foreigners
Penalty
Maximum 1 year in prison, or a fine of up to IDR 10,000,000
Who can report
If the person is married: The spouse If the person is unmarried: Parents, children
Effective Date
December 2025
Overview of the Bill Prohibiting Extramarital Sex
12. Hands on Hips, Arms Crossed
Adopting postures like putting your hands on your hips or crossing your arms is likely to be perceived as you being “angry” or “arrogant.” Neither of these are good impressions, so it’s best to avoid them, especially in business settings.
13. Be Wary of Pickpockets and Scams ※Avoid them by being informed beforehand
Generally, Indonesians are easygoing and kind, but like in any country, scams are unavoidable.
We introduce these in detail in these articles, so it’s a good idea to check them before your trip to Indonesia!
14. Refrain from Eating and Drinking in Public During the Day in Ramadan!
During Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, show consideration for Muslims by refraining from eating and drinking in public during the day.
Even in public, it is necessary to be considerate by covering your mouth with your hand, turning away to drink water, etc.
15. When Passing in Front of People, Extend Your Right Hand and Stoop, Saying “Permisi”
This may be a universal manner, but try to avoid passing in front of people as much as possible. If you must, stoop low, extend your right hand slightly forward, and say “Permisi” (Excuse me) as you pass.
16. “Have you eaten?” “What were you doing?” are Forms of Greeting
When you meet an Indonesian, you will often be asked questions like “Sudah Makan?” (Have you eaten yet?) or “(habis) dari mana?” (Where have you been?/What were you doing?) at the beginning of a conversation.
This is a form of greeting, so it’s a good idea to smoothly continue the conversation, talk about what you’ve been up to recently, and then ask them how they are doing (Apa kabar?/Gimana kabarnya?).
In other words, they aren’t asking anything very serious, so you don’t need to give a serious answer. Just make small talk.
Oh… I see. I was always being asked about food, so I thought they were expecting an invitation to go eat.
17. Blowing Your Nose with a Tissue During a Meal is Rude
Blowing your nose with a tissue during a meal is considered rude. Many people don’t mind, but in a proper restaurant or at an important dinner, it’s best to excuse yourself to the restroom, or turn away and wipe your nose lightly with a tissue without making a sound.
18. How to Use the Toilet
When using a toilet in Indonesia, do not flush toilet paper.
There is a trash can in the toilet, so dispose of toilet paper in the trash can. The toilet paper itself may not be water-soluble, and due to the water pressure and drainage system, it will get clogged.
Also, in Indonesia, the toilet may be soaking wet. This is sometimes because it has been cleaned with water after use. Of course, it can also just be dirty, so it’s a good idea to pour some water and wipe it with toilet paper for a quick clean before using it yourself.
Conclusion: Understand the Manners and Taboos to Fully Enjoy Your Trip to Indonesia!
By understanding the manners and taboos introduced in this article, you can enjoy your trip to Indonesia more smoothly and deeply. Respect the local culture and create wonderful travel memories.
