MORE ABOUT BALI
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Culture & Customs
Balinese remain conservative and traditional. Please respect their traditions and attitudes. Balinese are very polite people and smiles are characteristic. Shaking hands on introduction is the usual for both men and women. Using the left hand to give or to receive something is Considered taboo (the left hand is used for personal hygiene), pointing with the left hand is rude and crooking a finger to call someone is impolite. When bargaining for a purchase, settle all prices in advance. Don't ask a price or make an offer unless you intend to buy. When bargaining, start at half the asking price and reach a compromise. Remember that Rp. 500 can mean the difference of a day's meal; to you it is little.Don't display large sums of money.
Balinese have a strong sense of pride and consider temptation, and suspicion, insulting.Wear a shirt or swimsuit cover-up when not on the beach or pool. Swimsuits, a swim top and sarong, etc., are not acceptable attire on any street. Small passages to the beach may be through a residential courtyard or holy temple. Nude bathing is illegal and impolite. Leave shoes outside on the steps before entering a house or temple. Begging is not customary in Bali, but is prevalent due to Indonesia's economic crisis. If you hand out money you encourage people to ask again. The exception is to make a small contribution at the entrance to a temple, toward maintenance. Give what you can afford, as you would do in any house of worship.
Balinese are conscious of presentation, both for themselves and visitors. The "hippie look" is not well accepted by locals. Poor attire often attracts poor service, especially in government offices. Singlets, halter tops and mini skirts are not acceptable in government offices. The proper dress code: trousers and collared shirt with sleeves for men, and dress or skirt with blouse with sleeves for women. Keep a sarong handy. All temple visitors must wear a waist sash. A sarong is preferred. By an ancient law, menstruating women and anyone with a bleeding wound are not permitted in temples.
Temple ceremonies and other rituals are sacred events to the Balinese and appropriate clothing should be worn. To visit any temple ceremony, you must dress modestly, in "pakian adat" (the full native dress of a kain, kebaya and sash for the women and udung (head band), kain, saput (overskirt), nice shirt and sash for men. A sash over shorts is unacceptable. Wait outside the temple for an invitation if there is a festival in progress.
At festivals and dance performances, Balinese are relaxed around a camera. Don't interfere or stand directly in front of the priest or the kneeling congregation. According to custom, one's head should not be higher than the priest's or village headman. It is rude to climb on temple walls. Do not remain standing when people kneel to pray. Move to the back and wait quietly until prayer or blessings are complete. If local bystanders kneel in veneration, always move to the side. The Balinese are not performing for your benefit, but are in sacred ritual for their own worship.
Business Hours
Indonesians work in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. If you need to visit a government office, arrive between 8 am and 11:30 am. This also applies to banks and private businesses. Banks close on every possible holiday, often for up to 10 days at a time. Banking hours generally are 9 am-2pm, weekdays. Government offices close early on Fridays. Generally, offices are open 7 am-3 pm Monday-Thursday, 7:30 am-noon on Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday.
Security & Crime
Tourist Police, Tel: 754599, 763753Bali is not free of theft and petty crime. Don't leave valuables unattended. Be extra careful of purses, wallets and backpacks in crowded areas. Don't lend money if you expect it to be returned. Report theft immediately to police or security officers. Without a police report, new passports and documents to leave the country are difficult to obtain. Carry photocopies of passports, tickets and driver's licenses and keep originals in the hotel safe. All narcotics are illegal in Indonesia and prosecution means a long prison term and/or huge fines, even death penalty for trafficking.
Children
Children are loved in Bali. Reliable babysitters are available. Many hotels have kid's clubs and children's programs.
Time zones
There are three time zones in Indonesia. Bali is on Central Indonesia Standard Time, +8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. There is no daylight savings time in Indonesia. Bali is on the same time zone as Singapore and Hong Kong.
Tipping
Most larger hotels and restaurants automatically add government tax and service charge of up to 21 percent to the bill. Tipping is unusual and you're not compelled to tip at restaurants. If you like your taxi driver, a tip of 10-15 percent is appreciated. Carry small change with you as taxi drivers often have none. Round up the fare to the nearest Rp. 500. If traveling in a group, a tip to drivers and guides is appreciated. Airport or hotel porters expect Rp. 1,500 per bag, depending on the size and weight.
Weights & Measures
Indonesia uses the metric system. One kilometer is 0.6 miles; one meter is 3.3 feet or 39 inches; one kilogram is 2.2 pounds; one liter is 0.3 US gallons or 0.2 imperial gallons. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 and add 32; to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 and multiply by
Balinese remain conservative and traditional. Please respect their traditions and attitudes. Balinese are very polite people and smiles are characteristic. Shaking hands on introduction is the usual for both men and women. Using the left hand to give or to receive something is Considered taboo (the left hand is used for personal hygiene), pointing with the left hand is rude and crooking a finger to call someone is impolite. When bargaining for a purchase, settle all prices in advance. Don't ask a price or make an offer unless you intend to buy. When bargaining, start at half the asking price and reach a compromise. Remember that Rp. 500 can mean the difference of a day's meal; to you it is little.Don't display large sums of money.
Balinese have a strong sense of pride and consider temptation, and suspicion, insulting.Wear a shirt or swimsuit cover-up when not on the beach or pool. Swimsuits, a swim top and sarong, etc., are not acceptable attire on any street. Small passages to the beach may be through a residential courtyard or holy temple. Nude bathing is illegal and impolite. Leave shoes outside on the steps before entering a house or temple. Begging is not customary in Bali, but is prevalent due to Indonesia's economic crisis. If you hand out money you encourage people to ask again. The exception is to make a small contribution at the entrance to a temple, toward maintenance. Give what you can afford, as you would do in any house of worship.
Balinese are conscious of presentation, both for themselves and visitors. The "hippie look" is not well accepted by locals. Poor attire often attracts poor service, especially in government offices. Singlets, halter tops and mini skirts are not acceptable in government offices. The proper dress code: trousers and collared shirt with sleeves for men, and dress or skirt with blouse with sleeves for women. Keep a sarong handy. All temple visitors must wear a waist sash. A sarong is preferred. By an ancient law, menstruating women and anyone with a bleeding wound are not permitted in temples.
Temple ceremonies and other rituals are sacred events to the Balinese and appropriate clothing should be worn. To visit any temple ceremony, you must dress modestly, in "pakian adat" (the full native dress of a kain, kebaya and sash for the women and udung (head band), kain, saput (overskirt), nice shirt and sash for men. A sash over shorts is unacceptable. Wait outside the temple for an invitation if there is a festival in progress.
At festivals and dance performances, Balinese are relaxed around a camera. Don't interfere or stand directly in front of the priest or the kneeling congregation. According to custom, one's head should not be higher than the priest's or village headman. It is rude to climb on temple walls. Do not remain standing when people kneel to pray. Move to the back and wait quietly until prayer or blessings are complete. If local bystanders kneel in veneration, always move to the side. The Balinese are not performing for your benefit, but are in sacred ritual for their own worship.
Business Hours
Indonesians work in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. If you need to visit a government office, arrive between 8 am and 11:30 am. This also applies to banks and private businesses. Banks close on every possible holiday, often for up to 10 days at a time. Banking hours generally are 9 am-2pm, weekdays. Government offices close early on Fridays. Generally, offices are open 7 am-3 pm Monday-Thursday, 7:30 am-noon on Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday.
Security & Crime
Tourist Police, Tel: 754599, 763753Bali is not free of theft and petty crime. Don't leave valuables unattended. Be extra careful of purses, wallets and backpacks in crowded areas. Don't lend money if you expect it to be returned. Report theft immediately to police or security officers. Without a police report, new passports and documents to leave the country are difficult to obtain. Carry photocopies of passports, tickets and driver's licenses and keep originals in the hotel safe. All narcotics are illegal in Indonesia and prosecution means a long prison term and/or huge fines, even death penalty for trafficking.
Children
Children are loved in Bali. Reliable babysitters are available. Many hotels have kid's clubs and children's programs.
Time zones
There are three time zones in Indonesia. Bali is on Central Indonesia Standard Time, +8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. There is no daylight savings time in Indonesia. Bali is on the same time zone as Singapore and Hong Kong.
Tipping
Most larger hotels and restaurants automatically add government tax and service charge of up to 21 percent to the bill. Tipping is unusual and you're not compelled to tip at restaurants. If you like your taxi driver, a tip of 10-15 percent is appreciated. Carry small change with you as taxi drivers often have none. Round up the fare to the nearest Rp. 500. If traveling in a group, a tip to drivers and guides is appreciated. Airport or hotel porters expect Rp. 1,500 per bag, depending on the size and weight.
Weights & Measures
Indonesia uses the metric system. One kilometer is 0.6 miles; one meter is 3.3 feet or 39 inches; one kilogram is 2.2 pounds; one liter is 0.3 US gallons or 0.2 imperial gallons. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 and add 32; to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 and multiply by
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