3.

7 Business Cultural Issues

3.7.1 Dress Code

For males, they are expected to wear the standard western business attire of suits
and ties. For females, the standard business attire includes dresses or blouse and
skirt with of appropriate length; blouses that cover at least their upper arm and
skirts should be knee length or longer. Women are also limited to dark or dull
clothing where bright and colorful clothes are usually avoided.

3.7.2 Business Cards

There are a few important points to take note regarding how to present your name
card and also how to treat other business cards. It is important to print your
business cards translated in Indonesia, and the other side in English. Always present
your business card with your right hand, with left supporting right wrist, to each
person you are meeting and offer your card with the printed side facing towards
them, so that they could read easily. When receiving card, receive with both hands
and take time to read the card carefully. Never write on business cards and never
place any business cards, including yours in a back pocket.

3.7.3 Greetings

Greetings are very important. A man is addressed as Pak (Mr.) or Bapak (Sir) and a
woman is addressed as Ibu.
For religious reasons, Muslim and Hindu, men and women do not touch in public.
Men do not offer handshake to an Indonesian woman unless she initiates it. At the
same time, women do not offer a handshake to an Indonesian man. Always use your
right hand for handshake upon greeting and leaving, where handshake should be
limp and lasts approximately 10 to 15 seconds. When facing an Indonesian Chinese,
they may bow or combine a bow with a handshake.

3.7.4 Time Sensitivity

Indonesians are very flexible with their time and deadlines. It is best to give a
deadline before the actual deadline. Also, locals may behave differently, especially
ones with higher social status than you, they will have the authority to jam karet,
which means Rubber Time, to stretch the time or be late. In Indonesia, most of the
people are Muslims, therefore Indonesians; especially public servants only have half
working day on Fridays because males have to go to the mosque.

3.7.5 Gift Giving

Indonesia has many different races and religion. There are some gifts to avoid giving
to the different races and religion. For Indonesian Chinese, refrain from giving gifts
of cutting tools as it will be seen as a suggesting to severe a relationship. Also, avoid
giving straw sandals, clocks, handkerchiefs, gifts paper in white, black or blue,
because it is related to funerals. For Muslim, avoid giving alcohol, pig-related
products, knives, gifts that portrait dogs or images of nudity, even in paintings or
sculptures with artistic worth. For Hindu, beef related products should be avoided
and including leather items should not be given.



3.7.6 Non-verbal communication gestures to avoid