How Well Do You Read Indonesians?

2 min read –

Take the Quiz: How Well Do You Read Indonesians? –

You already know more than you think –

Differences aren’t all “cultural.” –

When you land in a new market, intercultural skill is a make-or-break asset.

You don’t need to become Indonesian, just understand the signals.

Good news: Not every behavior is rooted in culture.

Personality, systems, education, and training explain a lot.

Test yourself with 10 real-life scenarios.

Context: Business trip
Country: Indonesia

1-At the airport
Your flight lands; everyone smiles. Why?
a) They’re thrilled to see you
b) They’re mocking your jet-lagged hair
c) Smiling is the default polite expression in Indonesia

2-Highway chaos
Drivers cut in from every angle. Why?
a) They want to harm you
b) “It’s their culture”
c) Lax licensing and weak enforcement create risky habits

3-Handshake refusal
Some colleagues decline to shake hands. Why?
a) They’re rude
b) Muslim women (and some men) avoid opposite-gender handshakes for religious reasons
c) They think your hands are dirty

4-Umbrellas at noon
People stroll with open umbrellas under the blazing sun. Why?
a) They predict rain (cultural sixth sense)
b) Umbrellas are effective sun protection
c) They’re hiding from you

5-No masks in dusty factory
Workers breathe dust without masks. Why?
a) “Culture” ignores safety
b) Low safety training + weak enforcement in many small factories
c) Masks are unaffordable

6-Long silences in negotiation
Your partners pause… and stay quiet. Why?
a) Total agreement
b) Total disagreement
c) Comfort with silence is common; they’re listening and processing

7-30 min dinner delay
Guests arrive half an hour late. Why?
a) Disrespect
b) “Indonesian time” culture
c) Jakarta traffic is notoriously gridlocked

8-Cappuccino art
Your coffee arrives with perfect latte art. How?
a) Your host paid extra to impress you
b) Artistic DNA
c) Baristas are well-trained and take pride in their craft

9-Gifts left wrapped
You exchange small gifts; Indonesians don’t open theirs. Why?
a) They saw food and want to keep it to themselves
b) No scissors
c) Opening in front of the giver can signal greed; it’s polite to wait

10-Farewell bow
Your partner bows instead of hugging or shaking hands. Why?
a) Back pain from driving
b) Anger over the deal
c) Many Indonesian-Chinese use a respectful bow as a greeting/farewell

Check the answers at the end of this article.

Want to Master Indonesian Etiquette? Read our deep-dive:

www.cintasia.com/mastering-cross-cultural-business-etiquette/

Remember, to export successfully, you first of all need great products and services, which is your part.

Our part is to help you locally, with the cross cultural etiquette, for example.

We are CINTASIA, and we help you develop your sales and operations successfully in Indonesia.

PS: answers to the quiz

1-c

2-c

3-b

4-b

5-b

6-c

7-c

8-c

9-c

10-c