Thanks to its central location, Indonesia has been a trading outpost for many centuries.

Chinese trading settlements in Indonesia were established as early as the third century b.c. However, it was Indian traders who eventually had the greatest influence upon early Indonesia.

 

By the second century a.d., several small states had organized on Indian models and

flourished on Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. Many Indian influences are to be seen in modern Indonesia. Although Hinduism was superseded by Islam on most islands, it is still the main religion on Bali. The native language of Java is written in a variant of the Indian Devanagari alphabet.

 

Contact with Europe began in the sixteenth century. Beginning in 1511, the Portuguese

dominated the region from their base in Malacca, in neighboring Malaysia. The Dutch

arrived in 1596; they eventually reduced the Portuguese holdings in Indonesia to the eastern half of the island of Timor. Indonesia was ruled by the Dutch East India Company from  1602 to 1798, when the Dutch government took direct control. Nationalist sentiments grew during the early twentieth century, but Indonesia remained a Dutch colony until World War II. The Japanese occupied Indonesia from 1942 to 1945. During this occupation, native Indonesians were finally placed in positions of power and allowed by the Japanese to run the nation. One such leader, Sukarno, declared Indonesia an independent republic on August 17, 1945. The Dutch fought to regain control of Indonesia, but they finally relinquished all claims to their former colony in 1949.

When the Western powers refused to support him against the remaining Dutch presence

in the area, Sukarno became hostile toward the West and received military assistance first from the USSR, then from the People’s Republic of China. Most Indonesian political parties were restricted to allow the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) to become the dominant political force.

 

With Sukarno in ill health, the PKI decided to take power in a coup on September 30,

1965. The coup failed, and for the next six months Indonesia writhed in civil disorder. In

1966, President Sukarno was forced out of power and General Suharto became president.

 

Although Indonesia was officially a nonaligned nation, Suharto pursued friendlier relations with the West. Since Suharto’s accession in 1966, Indonesia pursued a probusiness, proinvestment policy that brought increased prosperity and development.

In May of 1998, the long-simmering political discontent with the authoritarian rule of

President Suharto erupted into violence. Under pressure, President Suharto resigned, and Vice President B. J. Habibie took power. An election—the first free election in Indonesian history—was held in May 1999. Despite the advantages of money, experience, and control of the media, the long-ruling party of Habibie and Suharto failed to win a majority in the election.

 

After the people of the Indonesian state of East Timor voted for independence in August

of 1999, the government in Jakarta allowed legions of Indonesian soldiers and militias to

run riot in East Timor. Thousands of Timorese were slain, tens of thousands fled the country, and many homes and businesses were burned. The world was outraged, and Jakarta reluctantly agreed to allow UN troops into East Timor. Peace was eventually restored, and East Timor became an independent country on May 20, 2002.

 

Type of G overnment 

The Republic of Indonesia declared its independence in 1945. Fighting against the Dutch

continued until 1949, which is the usual date given for Indonesian independence.

Indonesia is a unitary multiparty republic. The president is both head of state and head of the government. The Republic of Indonesia has two legislative houses. The House of People’s Representatives and the People’s Consultative Assembly.

 

As a diverse nation, separated by geography, language, ethnicity, and religion, Indonesia

must constantly struggle against separatism and secession. Areas of Indonesia threatened by separatist movements are Aceh, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, the Molucca Islands, and Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya). After a referendum and international pressure, East Timor was granted independence in 2002.

 

Cultural Note

The government has established an official doctrine called Pancasila, which affirms the existence of a single Supreme Being. This is in harmony with both Islam and Christianity, Indonesia’s second largest religious grouping (9.6 percent of the population). It is, however, in opposition to Indonesia’s minority Hindus (1.8 percent). 

The five principles of Pancasila are:

● Belief in One Supreme God.

● Belief in a just and civilized humanity.

● Belief in the unity of Indonesia.

● Belief in Democracy.

● Belief that adherence to Pancasila will bring social justice to all the peoples of Indonesia.

All Indonesian government employees and all students are indoctrinated in Pancasila.

 

Language

The Republic of Indonesia has designated Bahasa Indonesia as the official language. Written in the Roman alphabet, Bahasa Indonesia evolved out of the “market Malay” trade language used throughout the region during the colonial era. The selection of Bahasa Indonesia as the official tongue was a conscious effort to unify all Indonesians; as a trade language, it did not have the literary history or prestige of other Indonesian tongues (notably Javanese). Bahasa Indonesia is written horizontally, left to right, using the Roman alphabet used in the West.

 

While as many as 140 million Indonesians use Bahasa Indonesia as a second language,

no more than 30 million consider it their mother tongue. Almost half the population of

Indonesia uses Javanese as its first language.

 

The Indonesian View

The early traders and settlers brought Hinduism and Buddhism to Indonesia (the Majapahit empire merged the two into a single state religion). Islam arrived in the sixteenth century and eventually became Indonesia’s major religion. As with earlier religions, the Indonesians adapted Islam to suit their needs, especially on the island of Java. Indonesia is the world’s most populous Islamic nation; its population of 185 million is more than double Pakistan’s 90 million. However, Islam in Indonesia is fragmented into numerous sects, many of which are antagonistic toward one another.

 

The majority of Indonesians are Muslim. While Islam is not the official religion, Indonesia

has declared itself to be officially monotheistic. Of course, this position is in accordance

with Islam and in opposition to Hinduism.

 

In addition to ethnic and religious factionalism, Indonesians must deal with economic

problems, a developing democracy, and a history of corruption on the part of their leaders.

 

Under Sukarno, Indonesia had a system of “crony capitalism,” in which business licenses were dependent upon the favor of friends and family of Sukarno.

Indonesia’s former colonial owner, the Netherlands, exerts relatively little influence

over Indonesia today (although the Netherlands remains a highly desired destination for

Indonesian emigrants). The United States is a major influence, although Indonesians have some justification for being angry at the United States in regard to East Timor (in 1976 the United States indicated that it did not object to Indonesia’s annexation of East Timor, but by 1999 the United States started putting pressure on Indonesia to grant independence to East Timor). Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Indonesian terrorists have become a large concern. However, when foreign troops are on Indonesian soil—as with the majority of the UN troops in East Timor—they are usually Australian. Until the recent bombings, Australians also made up the bulk of foreign tourists in Indonesia.

 

The new player in Indonesian affairs is the People’s Republic of China, which is increasing its influence all over Asia. Because much of Indonesian business is in the hands of ethnic Chinese, the PRC has a built-in advantage. However, this advantage is tempered by the distrust that many ethnic Malays have for Indonesian Chinese. If there is another pogrom by Malays against Indonesian Chinese, the PRC may decide to act.

 

Know Before You Go

Indonesia is well within the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and, like many other countries, suffered horribly from the tsunamis generated by the earthquake of 2004.

 

There is no aspect of Indonesia that was not touched by the tsunami. While it is well nigh impossible to predict such a terrible event, travelers should take precautions when visiting any of the countries that were hit by the tragedy. 

 

Be certain to register with your country’s embassy or consulate when you visit, and leave details of your trip with multiple contacts at home. Make it as easy as possible for people to track you down in an emergency. 

 

Indonesia is also subject to volcanoes. Flooding and typhoons are a danger as well.

While Western foreigners—especially from the United States and Australia—have been targeted by bombings, the majority of visitors experience no hostility in Indonesia. However, check with your country’s government as to whether or not there are any current travel advisories for Indonesia. Mob violence is probably more of a danger than the occasional terrorist acts.

 

Air quality is a sometimes a problem in Indonesian cities. Smoking is common and there are relatively few nonsmoking areas. During extended dry seasons, smoke from slash-and-burn agriculture has become so omnipresent that it sometimes darkens the sky and poses a threat to aviation. 

 

Cultural O rientation

Cognitive S tyles: H ow Indonesians O rganize and P rocess Information

Indonesians have a history of assimilating new ways of doing things into their indigenous systems. They are open to information. Independent thinking is discouraged in their education, so they tend to process information associatively. Those educated abroad may be more abstractive. Their focus is on the immediate situation and the people involved rather than on rules or laws that might govern behavior in similar situations.

 

Negotiation S trategies: What Indonesians A ccept as E vidence

Most people will rely on the truth of their subjective feelings. However, this truth may be

modified by a faith in the ideology of their religion. The most powerful influence is the

desire for harmony. Those with higher education may accept objective facts more readily.

 

Value S ystems: T he Basis for Behavior

One should be aware of the value system of the Chinese, who conduct much of the business in Indonesia. Indonesians have blended Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity into their theology. The following three sections identify the Value Systems in the predominant culture—their methods of dividing right from wrong, good from evil, and so forth. 

 

Locus of Decision-Making

Decision-making traditionally goes through deliberation and consensus. All interested parties are welcome to participate. They strive for balance; conciliation without resentments or grudges is a trait of the Indonesian culture. Many government officials and entrepreneurs adhere to a mystical form of spirituality called Kebatinan, a metaphysical search for inner harmony and guidance in decision-making. They do not subjugate the will of the individual to the will of the group.

 

Sources of Anxiety Reduction

There is a strong belief in the supernatural for protection and security. This faith goes beyond any one religion, although most Indonesians are at least nominally Muslims. The nuclear and extended families are basic to security and economic support, with marriage being used to reinforce economic and social alliances. The adat (common law) has become one of the major stabilizing factors maintaining the traditional rural societies. The military is the main arbiter of power in the government.

 

Issues of Equality/Inequality

In most organizations there is a strong authoritarian hierarchical system that demands obedience of subordinates. Although there are strong ethnic identities, there is also a strong national identity that is taught to all children in the primary school years. The husband is considered the head of the household, but the wife is not inferior in status, and both are expected to cooperate in maintaining their household and family. Equal rights for women have always been upheld in the community.

 

Nevertheless, Indonesia has a multiethnic society with many historic antagonisms. In

particular, ethnic Chinese and Christian Indonesians are sometimes the targets of antagonism.

 

Business P ractic es

Punctuality, A ppointments, and L ocal T ime

● As a foreign businessperson, you are expected to be on time for all business appointments. This is especially true when you are meeting someone with a higher social standing than yourself.

● In general, the higher the status of an Indonesian, the more he or she is likely to appreciate punctuality. Sometimes Indonesian laborers consider themselves punctual if they arrive within a few hours of an appointment. Executives and government officials will understand promptness—but they still have the prerogative to make a subordinate wait.

● A majority of Indonesian businesspeople are Chinese. Their culture is very work oriented, and they are likely to be prompt. Other businesspeople and the majority of government officials are ethnic Malays. Their culture is very different from that of the Chinese, and they have a looser concept of time. Promptness has never been a virtue in the Malay culture of Indonesia.

● Social events in Indonesia involve different rules. In general, Indonesians arrive a halfhour late.

● The casual Indonesian attitude toward time may allow you to schedule appointments on short notice.

● Indonesian executives tend to be more accessible than executives in many countries.

Even an Indonesian CEO is likely to meet with foreign businesspeople.

● English is used in many business transactions and correspondence. However, attempts to use Bahasa Indonesia are appreciated.

● Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of Indonesia. Although many government officials will speak some English, they may prefer to hold meetings in their native tongue.  Fortunately, an English-speaking translator is usually close at hand.

● All official correspondence with government officials must be in Bahasa Indonesia. Use of the language is also mandated for many advertisements and publications.

● The holidays in Indonesia attempt to accommodate the celebrations of Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity.

● Observant Muslims fast from dawn to sundown during the month of Ramadan. Be sure not to eat or drink in front of fasting Indonesians. It can be difficult to conduct business during Ramadan, when many Indonesians leave to visit relatives in rural areas—or even on another island. The price of food, clothing, and transportation tends to rise during Ramadan. 

● As in most countries, Indonesians write the day first, then the month, and then the year (e.g., December 3, 2010, is written 3/12/10 or 3.12.10).

● Indonesia spans three time zones. Java and Bali are on West Indonesia Standard Time, which is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. +7). Central Indonesia Standard Time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. +8); Lombok and Nusatenggara are on Central Time. The East Indonesia Standard Time Zone, which includes Maluku and Papua (Irian Jaya), is nine hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. +9). 

 

Cultural Note

Expect to encounter tough negotiations. Indonesians negotiate virtually every aspect of their daily lives, from taxi rides to groceries. You should anticipate considerable haggling over even the smallest point. In addition, Indonesians are good at wearing down the opposition, because the concept “time is money” is not a cultural norm.

 

Negotiating

● Indonesians do business with people they know and like. Establishing this personal relationship will take time, but it is vital for success.

● The pace of business negotiations in Indonesia is far slower than in the West. Be patient and do not rush.

● It would be unusual to complete a complicated business deal in only one trip. Expect to

take several trips over a period of months. Indeed, little will happen at the first meeting

except getting acquainted.

● Politeness is one of the most important attributes for successful relationships in Indonesia. This politeness in no way hinders the determination of Indonesian businesspeople to get their own way.

● Everyone has a defined status in Indonesia. In Bahasa Indonesia, you generally converse with a person after you know whether he or she is your superior, inferior, or equal. Even when the conversation is in English, Indonesians will not feel comfortable until they know your position. This is one reason why Indonesians will ask you very personal questions about your job, your education, and your salary.

● Indonesians rarely say “no.” This subtlety is lost in English. Westerners sometimes interpret this as deceit, but Indonesians are simply being polite by their own cultural standards. 

■ This “no” is clear even in English: anytime an Indonesian says “yes, but . . . ,” it means

“no.”

■ When there are any qualifications attached (such as, “It might be difficult”), it means

“no.”

■ A clear way to indicate “no” is to suck in air through the teeth. This sound always

indicates a problem.

■ Evasion is indicative of a “no,” even if the person has said neither “yes” nor “no.” He or

she may even pretend the question was never asked.

● A deal is never complete until all the paperwork is signed. Indonesians (especially the

Chinese) often consult astrologers, so the signing may be delayed until an “auspicious”

day arrives.

● People in Indonesia may smile or laugh in situations that westerners consider inappropriate.

 

Smiles may hide embarrassment, shyness, bitterness, or discord. If an Indonesian

nurse giggles while tending to a seriously ill male patient, this could be from embarrassment at having to touch a man, not callousness. Learning to interpret smiles and laughter may take a foreigner years.

● In Indonesia, an individual who expresses anger in public is considered unable to control

himself or herself. Such a person will not be trusted or respected.

● Being embarrassed publicly (also called “losing face”) is known as malu. One result of

“malu mentality” is that Indonesians may allow a person to continue to err rather than

risk embarrassment by correcting him or her in public. In effect, an Indonesian may

“honor” someone’s authority by allowing him or her to make a disastrous error.

● In Indonesia, individuals are rarely singled out in public, either for praise or for condemnation.

 

People are expected to be part of a group, and it is the group that is addressed. If

you must reprimand an individual employee, do it calmly and in private.

● Always be aware of social hierarchy. If you are part of a delegation, line up so that the most important persons will be introduced first. If you are introducing two people, state the name of the most important person first (e.g., “President Suhardjono, this is Engineer Wong”).

● Speak in quiet, gentle tones. Always remain calm. Leave plenty of time for someone to

respond to a statement you make(as long as ten to fifteen seconds) before speaking again.

 

Westerners often assume that they have agreement and resume talking before a Indonesian has the chance to respond.

● Topics to avoid in conversation include any criticism of Indonesian ways, religion, bureaucracy, human rights record, or politics. Also, avoid any discussion of sex or the roles of the sexes. (However, do not be surprised to hear graphic discussions of birth control methods.

 

The Indonesian government supports major population control programs.)

 

Business E ntertaining

● Some Indonesians have negative images of foreigners. Indonesia was exploited by foreigners for some 300 years. Social encounters are the best way for you to dispel that

preconceived image.

● Understand that there may be little conversation while eating. Do not be concerned by a silent meal.

● Take advantage of any invitations to social events. Establishing a successful business relationship hinges on establishing a social relationship as well.

● Invitations to social events may not come immediately. Be patient and let your Indonesian associates make the first invitation. You generally do not host a social event until you have already been a guest.

● Respond to written invitations in writing. Among the Chinese, white and blue are colors associated with sadness; do not print invitations with those colors. Red or pink is a good choice.

● Generally, spouses may be invited to dinner but not to lunch. However, no business will be discussed at an event where spouses are present.

 

Cultural Note

Hosting a party for Indonesians can be complex. Send out written invitations (addressed to husband and wife) a week in advance, but do not expect many responses in writing, even if your invitations say RSVP. Indonesians are somewhat averse to committing themselves to a social event. Find excuses to follow up (either by phone or in person) to remind your guests of the affair. Be prepared to explain (1) what event the party is celebrating, (2) the guest list, and (3) who the guest of honor is. Hold the party early; the guests will probably leave by 9:30 p.m. Indonesians find buffets more comfortable than sit-down dinners with assigned places. Be sure the food is sophisticated; if you depend on Indonesian servants to plan the meal, they are likely to select working-class fare (tasty but not prestigious). Remember that observant Muslims do not drink alcohol. Finally, show great respect toward your guest of honor. He (or she) is the

last to arrive and the first to be served.

 

Protocol

Greetings

● Indonesia has more than 300 ethnic groups, each with its own traditions. These range

from isolated Stone Age tribes in the jungles of Irian Jaya to the cosmopolitan denizens

of Jakarta.

● Expect to shake hands only upon initial introductions and before and after a long separation. Most Indonesian handshakes are more like handclasps; they are rather gentle and last for some ten or twelve seconds. (By contrast, most North American handshakes last for only three or four seconds.) For special emphasis, the handshake can be intensified by placing your hand over your heart.

● Most ethnic Indonesians are Muslim; the majority of the others are Hindu. Traditionally, there is no physical contact between men and women in these cultures. (Indeed, if a religious Muslim male is touched by a woman, he must ritually cleanse himself before he prays again.) Because of this, women should not offer to shake hands with Indonesian men (nor should men offer to shake hands with Indonesian women). Of course, if a westernized Indonesian offers to shake hands, do so.

● Upon greeting, the traditional Muslim Indonesian salutation is the word selamat, which

means “peace.”

● Among Indonesian Chinese, the traditional greeting was a bow. However, most now

shake hands or combine a bow with a handshake. Chinese men are more likely than

other Indonesian ethnic groups to be comfortable shaking hands with a woman.

● The traditional Hindu greeting involves a slight bow with the palms of the hands together (as if praying). This greeting, called the namaste, will generally be used only by older, traditional Hindus. However, it is also an acceptable alternative to a handshake when a Western businesswoman greets a Hindu Indonesian man.

● Above all else, greetings in Indonesia are stately and formal. Do not rush. Take your

time; hurried introductions show a lack of respect. This applies to all Indonesians, from

executives to laborers.

● Among all ethnic groups, kissing in public (even a quick peck on a cheek) is considered

unacceptable. Only the most fashionable and cosmopolitan of Indonesians will give even

a quick kiss in greeting.

 

Cultural Note

Just as the British greeting “How do you do?” is rhetorical, Indonesians have many rhetorical greetings. Chinese  greetings often involve food. “Have you eaten?” and “Have you taken food?” are rhetorical greetings; answer “Yes,” even if you are hungry. Similarly, a typical Indonesian greeting when meeting on the street is “Where are you going?” This is also rhetorical; “For a walk” or “Nowhere of importance” is a perfectly acceptable answer (“I’m eating the wind!” is a local idiomatic response). You are not expected to reveal your itinerary.

 

● Business cards should be printed (preferably embossed) in English. Since ethnic Chinese constitute the majority of Indonesian businesspeople, you may wish to have the reverse side of some of your cards printed in Chinese (gold ink is the most prestigious for Chinese characters).

● Your business card should contain as much information as possible, including your business title and your qualifications. Indonesians include all of this data on their card, as well as any titles of nobility.

● Westerners should use their usual academic titles, rather than translate them into the

Indonesian equivalent (which are sometimes derived from Dutch academic titles).

● The exchange of business cards can be quite stately. After introductions are made, the

visiting businessperson should offer his or her card to each person present. Present your card with both hands. (The most deferential method is to present your card in your right  hand, with your left hand lightly supporting your right wrist.) Give your card to the

recipient with the print facing him or her (so he or she can read it). The recipient will

receive the card with both hands, then study the card for a few moments before carefully putting it away in a pocket. You should do the same when a card is presented to you.

● Never put a business card in your back pocket, where many men carry their wallets.

While it is useful to write information such as the pronunciation of a name on someone’s

business card, do not let the person see you writing on his or her card. Either of these

actions may be interpreted as “defiling” a business card.

 

Titles/Forms of A ddress

● Every variation of personal naming patterns can be found among Indonesia’s myriad

ethnic groups. People may have one name or two, short names or long, given name followed by a family name or vice versa, or one name and one initial.

● Names are considered sacred by most Indonesians. Indeed, among some Javanese, a

person who has a string of misfortunes will change his or her name to one considered

luckier.

● Most businesspeople you meet should be addressed with at least a title and their name. If a person does not have a professional title (such as Engineer, Doctor, or Teacher),a Westerner may use “Mr.” or “Madam,” “Mrs.,” or “Miss,” plus their name. However,be aware that you may be omitting other titles, important both to the person and your understanding of that person.

● As you inquire of an Indonesian how you should address him or her, be forward in

explaining what he or she should call you. Indonesians may be equally unsure as to which of your names is your surname. Follow their lead as to the degree of formality. Do not tell an Indonesian “just call me Tony” when you are calling him Dr. Armizal.

 

Gestures

● Aside from handshakes, there is no public contact between the sexes in Indonesia. Do

not kiss or hug a person of the opposite sex in public—even if you are husband and wife.

On the other hand, contact between people of the same sex is permitted. Men may hold

hands with men or even walk with their arms around each other; this is interpreted as

nothing except friendship.

● Among both Muslims and Hindus, the left hand is considered unclean. Eat with your

right hand only. Where possible, do not touch anything or anyone with your left hand if

you can use your right hand instead. Accept gifts and hold cash in the right hand. (Obviously, when both hands are needed, use them both.)

● The foot is also considered unclean. Do not move anything with your feet, do not point

with your feet, and do not touch anything with your feet. Feet should not be rested on

tables or desks.

● Do not show the soles of your feet or shoes. This restriction determines how one sits: you can cross your legs at the knee but not with one ankle on your knee.

● Pounding one fist into the palm of your other hand is an obscene gesture among some

Indonesians.

● The head is considered the seat of the soul by many Indonesians. Never touch someone’s  head, not even to pat the hair of a child.

● As in much of the world, to beckon someone, you hold your hand out, palm downward,

and make a scooping motion with the fingers. Beckoning someone with the palm up and

wagging one finger can be construed as an insult.

● It is impolite to point with your forefinger. Point with your right thumb and a closed fist

(like a hitchhiker). This gesture is also used to mean “you go first.”

● Standing tall with your hands on your hips—the “arms akimbo” position—is always

interpreted as an angry, aggressive posture. Indeed, this position is used as a ritualized

symbol of anger in the Indonesian wayang (shadow puppet) theater.

 

Gifts

● Gift giving is a traditional part of Indonesian culture. Although gifts may be small, they

are often exchanged.

● Gifts can celebrate virtually any occasion: when you return from a trip, when you are

invited to an Indonesian home, when a visitor comes to tour your office or workplace,

and in return for services rendered.

● It is not customary to unwrap a gift in the presence of the giver. To do so would suggest that the recipient is greedy and impatient. Worse, if the gift is somehow inappropriate or disappointing, it would embarrass both parties. Expect the recipient to thank you briefly, then put the still-wrapped gift aside until you have left.

● Food makes a good gift for most occasions. When a person visits an area of Indonesia

where a delicacy is available, he or she is expected to bring some back for friends.

● Pork and alcohol are prohibited to observing Muslims, so do not give them as gifts to

Indonesians. Other foods may be appropriate, although meat products must be halal (the

Muslim equivalent of kosher). The prohibition against pork and alcohol also precludes

pigskin products and perfumes containing alcohol.

● Muslim Indonesians consider dogs unclean. Do not give toy dogs or gifts with pictures of dogs.

● Pets that are prized by Indonesians include cats and birds, especially songbirds.

 

Recordings

of the songs of champion songbirds are distributed and may make a good gift for an

Indonesian bird fancier.

● Remember that personal gifts from a man to a woman can be misinterpreted as romantic offerings. When a foreign businessman gives a gift to an Indonesian woman, he must let everyone know that he is simply delivering a gift from his company, or his wife.

● For information on gift giving to ethnically Chinese contacts, see the chapter on China.

● Observant Hindus do not eat beef or use cattle products. This eliminates most leather

products as appropriate gifts.

 

Dress

● Indonesia straddles the Equator and thus is hot and humid all year long. Most of the lowlands have a daytime temperature range of 75 to 95°F, and humidity around 75 percent. 

● Lower temperatures occur only in the mountainous areas.

● The rainy season runs from September through February, but sudden showers occur all year long. Some people carry an umbrella every day.

● Because of the heat and humidity, business dress in Indonesia is often casual. Standard formal office wear for men is dark trousers and a light-colored long-sleeved shirt and tie, without a jacket. Many businessmen wear a short-sleeved shirt with no tie.

Businesswomen wear long-sleeved blouses, skirts, business suits, and more recently,

pantsuits. The colors should be dark and muted; bright, vivid colors are not appropriate

for a businesswoman.

● As a foreigner, you should dress more conservatively until you are sure what degree of formality is expected. Men should expect to wear a suit jacket and tie, and remove them if it seems appropriate. Whatever you wear, try to stay clean and well groomed—which is a feat in the tropics.

● Many Indonesian men wear an open-necked batik shirt to work. This is also popular for casual attire. Jeans are good for casualwear, but shorts should be avoided.

In deference to Muslim and Hindu sensibilities, women should always wear blouses

that cover at least their upper arms. Skirts should be knee-length or longer.

 

Cultural Note

Three calendars are in common use in Indonesia. The Western (or Gregorian) calendar is the official calendar. Islamic holidays are dated by the Arabic calendar, which loses approximately eleven days each year against the Western calendar. In addition, there is a Hindu-influenced Javanese calendar.  When certain days from different calendars coincide, it is considered lucky. For example, when the fifth day of the Western week falls on the fifth day of the Javanese week (which is only five days long), the occasion is considered auspicious.