DO & DONT'S

When visiting Indonesia, visitors should observe local customs and practices. These aspirations should come naturally to everyone on the road. Your heart may be in the right place, but often you don't know exactly how to be ethical or responsible when you travel. Following these rules won't guarantee a completely damage-free trip, but it will show your hosts you are concerned and caring, and it will make a difference on the impact of your journey.

Ethical Travel

1. Be culturally sensitive and learn as much as you can about your destination's cultural etiquette before you go. Try to blend in with the culture around you. Don't be offensive, however much you value your 'rights' as an individual.
2. Make sure your tourist dollars aren't just making multinationals rich. Engage in pro-poor-tourism and help make sure money stays in the local community, helping fight poverty.
3. Be destination-wise. Some destinations are more mindful than others - explore the meanings of dark tourism and disaster tourism before you make up your mind and choose an appropriate destination.
4. Learn to communicate in your host country's language. No, you don't have to become fluent in Bahasa (Indonesian Language) but a few simple phrases like please or thank you will go a long way. So will "Can you help me" and "What is the word for..."
5. Be open-minded. You can carry your opinions with you, but share them sensitively. You are not always right - not even close.
6. Please never be hesitated to ASK, as it's a best way to get into local's neigbourhood... Don’t be afraid to screw up. It’s ok, learn a lot more from failures than do successes.

Some common courtesies and customs are as follows :

1. A smile goes even further. Smiling is a cultural tradition and Indonesians smile frequently, even when in an uncomfortable or complex situation.
2. Indonesians are polite and present endless courtesies to visitors whom they trust and like.
3. Never accept or pass anything with the left hand.
4. Displays of affection in public between men and women are frowned upon and kissing in public will attract a great deal of unnecessary attention.
5. Touching a stranger of the same sex while in conversation is usual.
6. Pointing is impolite and patting children on the head is discouraged.
7. Visitors should prevent losing their temper.
8. When invited to someone's home, a gift is appreciated (as long as it is given with the right hand).
9. Although handshakes are generally acceptable for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge introductions to gentlemen by merely nodding and smiling.
10. A handshake should only be initiated by ladies.
11. The traditional greeting or salam resembles a handshake with both hands but without the grasp.
12. The man offers both hands, lightly touches his friends’ outstretched hands, and then brings his hands to his chest to mean, "I greet you from my heart". The visitor should reciprocate the salam.
13. It is polite to call before visiting a home.
14. The right hand is always used when eating with one's hand or giving and receiving objects.
15. The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons. Instead, the thumb of the right hand with four fingers folded under is the preferred usage.

Dress Manner

1. Use proper dress when visiting a village or Temple.
2. Informality is normal, but some smart establishments encourage guests to dress for dinner.
3. Safari suits are acceptable for business wear and on formal occasions.
4. Muslim customs, particularly concerning female clothes, should be observed.
5. Batik in modern fabrics is somehow become routine dressing every Friday.
6. Cultural appropriateness – short pants are a no-no for women.

Eating& Drinking Manner

1. Social courtesies are often formal. When food or drink is served, it should not be touched until the host invites the guest to do so
2. Drinks are generally offered to guests. It is polite to accept.
3. Peel the fruit before eating, avoids raw vegetables except at reputable restaurant.
4. The country's large Muslim population does not drink alcohol.

On the trip

1. Being polite goes a very long way.
2. Shoes must be removed when entering places of worship such as mosques and temples. Some mosques provide robes and scarves for female visitors.
3. Taking photographs at places of worship or traditional village is usually permitted but always ask permission beforehand.
4. Street or beach vendor often hard pushing on selling and most visitors feel inconvenient, just ignore them, unless you are interesting to see just have a look and not give any promise them as those guys will recognize your face and ask for the promise. Just say Thank You [Tidak, Terima Kasih]
5. Protect yourself from sunburn by sun cream or sun block.
6. Do not leave any valuable thing on the beach while you are swimming or snorkeling, ask safe deposit box at the hotel/lodging where you are stay.
7. Opening your heart and mind does not have to mean opening your wallet.
8. Have an emergency source of funds hidden away somewhere, and treat your passport as if it were made of gold. It’s not quite the end of the world if you lose it, but it’ll feel like it at the time. 
9. Be alert for scams and danger, but don’t let that dictate your trip. as most people are not out to harm you.
10. Don't give money to street beggars, especially children. They are often exploited by gangs and in the case of children, begging keeps them out of school.
11. Buy locally. The closer to the producer you buy, the more likely local people will benefit.
12. Be sensitive when you spend. The art of haggling may be alive and well, but don't bargain as though your life depends on it. It may be a few cents to you, but a day's food to someone else.
13. Experience public transport both it can be awesome and it can also be the bane of your life.
14. When looking for somewhere to eat, find the one where there’s nobody that looks like you inside it. Bonus points if it’s not in the guidebook, and extra bonus points if the menu isn’t in your language (or there’s no menu at all). The food will be better and cheaper, and the experience more memorable. Trust me.
15. There will be times when it’s all too hard, just tough it out. You won’t remember the bad times in a couple of months, but the good times will stay with you forever.

Include the environment on your itinerary!

1. Be environmentally aware. Don't waste water or food.
2. What's more, when you purchase "green travel products" you help an important segment of the sustainable tourism sector grow and prosper.
3. Think before you consume! Carry a refillable drinking bottle; carry a cloth bag for your shopping purchases; buy locally made products whenever possible; and beware of wasteful packaging practices.
4. Use rechargeable batteries, Indonesia's landfills don't need your unused batteries. When possible use the waste bin, not your toilet for disposal. Reduce energy, water and detergent use by asking your hotel not to change linen on a daily basis.
5. Take a walk and enjoy our tropical climate - after all, it’s one of the reasons you came here. The best way to meet the Indonesian people is on foot.
6. Gifts for Indonesian friends? Give items of lasting value and, when possible, purchase items produced by the local community.
7. When you leave Indonesia, don't leave a pile of trash behind. Get rid of excessive packaging. If you're considering climate change travel, make sure you're not part of the problem.
8. Bio-degradable products and packaging are definitely the sustainable way to travel.
9. Offset your carbon emissions by using a carbon calculator.
10. Learn the benefits of ecotourism.