Tradition and Custom in Indonesia

Introduction

Dear Students,

In your module, you have learnt materials related to Indonesian wedding ceremonies and custom. If you are still curious about other customs and traditions of Indonesia, this web provides you some more information about it. Now, read the following information. This page provides you information about common and acceptable tradition in greeting, table manner and public manner in Indonesia.
Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you are expected to be able to:
1.differentiate some traditions and customs of Indonesia with other country.
2.identify specific information about Indonesia traditions and customs from the passage.
3.complete paragraph about Indonesia traditions and customs.
4.describe some traditional arts of Indonesia.


Indonesia Customs and Tradition

Every different country has its own unique customs and tradition. Here are some customs and traditions of Indonesia:

Greetings

1. The Indonesian culture is based on honour and respect for the individual. Respect should always be remembered when greeting others.

2. A man does not touch a woman in public, except to shake hands, even if he knows her well. The most common and appropriate way is shaking hands when congratulating someone or saying goodbye before a long trip.

3. When one is introduced to older people, a slight bow is appropriate.

Public Manners

1. Kissing in public is inappropriate.

2. When travelling, a person is expected to give his or her seat to the elderly, and men are expected to give their seats to women.

3. Gestures are not used for calling someone, except to a child. Waving one's hand with the palm facing down signals another person to come.

4. The left hand should not be used to shake hands, touch others, point, eat food, or give or receive objects.

Table Manners

1. Most families in Indonesia, especially in traditional families eat with their hands but generally, they eat with spoon and a fork (usually dinner knives are not used). The fork used in the left hand and the spoon in the right.

2. It is impolite to eat or drink before invited to do so by one's host.

3. Hostesses appreciate compliments on the food, but humorous remarks about the food are a serious breach of etiquette.

4. Paying for a meal is done by the one who invites to eat. Going "Dutch" is not common and considered poor form.

5. After the meal you should thank the host and the hostess, and the guests are not expected to help clean and wash the dirty dishes.

After reading the passage above, do some activities that follow.

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