Indonesian Cultural Etiquette

All About Cultural Etiquette in Indonesia

Share:

Indonesia cultural etiquette is something you should know to avoid accidentally offending the locals during your visit to Indonesia. Whether you are travelling for leisure or work, learning about its etiquette won’t hurt. Indonesia is a country with diverse cultures and religions with over 1,300 ethnic groups, so the etiquette can change, but if you follow our basic guide, you should be fine.

A Guide to Indonesian Etiquette, A Must-Read For Any Foreigner

Indonesia etiquette is known for its modesty and politeness. In every part of Indonesia, manners are important for you to be polite. Let’s look at the basic cultural etiquette in Indonesia that you should know before you arrive in Indonesia.

Using Right Hand is Polite

In Indonesian etiquette, it’s considered impolite to hand things or shake hands using your left hand. Indonesia is the largest Muslim population in the world, according to Muslim and Hindu teachings, your left hand is considered unclean as it’s used for personal hygiene. So, use your right hand when you’re pointing, handing, and greeting.

Respect the elders and those in the higher hierarchy

Beside a handshake, Indonesians hold deep respect for elders, it is important to put the senior person first. Addressing them with proper titles and showing deference is crucial. Sometimes, it’s best to bow a little bit when talking to the elders with a smile. Failure to do so, you will be labelled as someone who is disrespectful and lacks manners.

Never forget to smile

Smiling goes a long way in Indonesia plus, it’s contagious. A smile is a universal language of friendliness and politely. Indonesians are known for their warm smiles, and reciprocating this gesture can go a long way. This is also perfects for integrating business in Indonesia.

Eating out

Typically, people eat with a spoon, fork, and knife. But for food or drink in Indonesia, it doesn’t always work that way. There are some cuisines exchange like from Sundanese or Minangnese, which are traditionally eaten with your hands. Before you dig in, kobokan will be prepared for you to wash your hand. Remember not to drink the water in the kobokan nor does Indonesia’s tap water not consumable.

Be respectful of religions

Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country but there are other religions living here as well. Muslims follow a halal diet, which means consuming pork and alcohol is prohibited. During the Ramadhan month, it’s rude and insensitive behaviour for eating lunch in front of Muslims who are fasting. There are a lot of sacred temples throughout Indonesia. Be sure to ask the person in charge, if possible, to take a picture or enter.

Dress Modestly

Overall, Indonesians may be conservative. Dress modestly to avoid scrutiny on the streets, especially in sacred places. For business, it’s also encouraged to dress conservatively to exude professionalism. Tank tops, shorts, and sandals are not allowed in religious sites such as mosques, churches, shrines, and temples. The same rules applied to museums and keratons (Sultan’s palace) too. As Indonesia is a tropical country, cotton-made clothes or bright colour clothing are the best.

Besides that, public displays of affection is strictly prohibited in some of Indonesian society. It’s also considered rude if you touching someone in public with romantic or sexual intentions. In some parts of Indonesia, the consequences of bad manners range from forced marriage to social punishment.

When in doubt about Indonesian Culture, ask!

Indonesia has diverse religions and cultures. It’s natural, not able to understand everything in one go especially you are a first timer traveller. Asking questions to the locals as Indonesians are proud of their culture, as it shows that you are willing to learn about Indonesian culture.

That’s the basic Indonesian cultural etiquette that you can follow during your stay in Indonesia. How was it? It’s not that hard to follow. Always remember to smile and ask questions. It will make your stay in Indonesia much easier. Learn more about Indonesia here!

Find this article helpful? Check out other articles from Social Expat for more updates about Indonesia Guide!

Content Writer

An escapist yet realistic, Yohana tends to keep her feet on the ground and head above the clouds. A culture enthusiast with impulsive tendencies when it comes to knowledge and food. She starts her writing journey during high school as a hobby at first, before it grows into passion and love.

Related News

Travelling by train in Indonesia offers a scenic and convenient alternative to domestic flights. Among the available services, the Panoramic Train Indonesia has become increasingly popular, especially on routes such as Jakarta to Bandung and Bandung to Surabaya. Operated by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), this unique train provides expansive views through wide glass windows […]

There is always something touching to be found in stories from Bali, and one recent account shared on social media is no exception. A foreign tourist in Bali, who had been travelling in Bali, received an unexpected gesture of kindness that left a lasting impression on both herself and viewers online. The woman, who goes […]

What Is Jakarta Fair 2025? The Jakarta Fair, officially known as Pekan Raya Jakarta (PRJ), returns for its 56th edition in 2025. Taking place at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) in Kemayoran, this international-scale event will run for 25 days, from 19 June to 13 July 2025. The theme for this year is “Supporting Advanced […]

Poverty Rate Indonesia Rises Sharply Under New World Bank Standard A significant change in the World Bank’s poverty measurement method has sparked widespread public attention in Indonesia. On 13 June 2025, the World Bank released a factsheet titled “The World Bank’s Updated Global Poverty Lines: Indonesia”, outlining a revised standard based on purchasing power parity (PPP) […]

Expat Property

Indonesia Visas

Expat Event

Business Networking
150,000
Ely’s Kitchen Bali
Social Networking
150,000
Dobu Restaurant & Bar
Hiring Event
FREE
Above Rooftop, Four Points by Sheraton Seminyak

Indonesia Guide

Just For Fun

Write For Us

Exclusive Promotions

Event Gallery