You might have checked the traveling preparation checklist; momentarily, you sit back and wait for the time to leave for the country and enjoy your vacation. So, what do you have left?\u00a0 If it is your first time to visit the country, you might be curious about how you were going to communicate with the Indonesians, learn about the culture (budaya) and people, and see life in the country through the eye of locals.<\/p>\n
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To Address Someone with a Suitable Title<\/strong><\/p>\n Even though you only learned survival for Indonesians, it does not hurt to learn about the customs (adat-kebiasaan or kebiasaan) of the country. In Indonesian culture, like most Asian countries, respect to elders has always been an important tradition; respect comes with age. Therefore, it is important to address someone with a proper title, which, of course, depends on which region you travel. In most parts of Indonesia, you may address someone ‘Dik or Adik’ ‘younger sibling’ if he or she is someone younger than you or a child. ‘Ibu\/Bu’ and ‘Ma’am,’ or Bapak\/Pak’ and ‘Sir’ can also mean ‘mother’ or ‘father’ to someone older for you to express your respect or when you are in a formal situation. While in Java Island, you may greet someone\u00a0with “Mbak” (big sister\u00a0or Ma’am) or “Mas” (big brother or Sir) to anyone the same age or older than you.\u00a0 If you know the person’s name, use a suitable title followed by a person’s first name, such as Ibu Aminah, Bapak Joko.<\/p>\n They want to know you<\/strong><\/p>\n As you interact with locals on your trip, do not be surprised when locals ask personal questions such as age, marital status, children, family, or\u00a0income; for example, “Apa Anda\/Pak John sudah menikah?”, “Are you married?”, “Bapak\/Pak John kerja di mana?”, “Where do you work?” It is the culture; you can either answer the question or you can say, “Maaf, itu terlalu pribadi” “Sorry it is too personal,” if you don’t want to answer them.\u00a0 Indonesians are friendly people; they will understand.<\/p>\n Pleasantries<\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0Indonesian way of saying, “hello” or “hi” is by greeting each other based on which time of the day, e.g., “Selamat pagi” for “Good morning,” “Selamat siang” for “Good day,” “Selamat sore” for “Good afternoon,” and “Selamat malam” for “Good evening.”\u00a0 Often times, they also use “Apa kabar?” for “How are you?” and the response of the greeting will be “Baik, terima kasih; apa kabar, Pak\/Bu?” If you are not feeling well, they will respond to you, “Apa Bapak\/Ibu sudah pergi ke dokter?” “Did you see\u00a0a doctor?” or “Apa sudah minum obat” “Did you get any medicine for it?”. \u00a0 Learn the difference with your own culture in the same situation.<\/p>\n Necessary Phrases for Different Situations<\/strong><\/p>\n There is a list of questions, statements, and phrases that might help you when traveling to Indonesia.<\/p>\n General<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maaf. Sorry, or excuse me<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jam berapa\u00a0sekarang? What time is it (now)?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Di mana lokasi . . .? Where is the location of . . .?<\/p>\n – \u00a0 \u00a0 Terima kasih. Thank you.<\/p>\n – \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Maaf, saya tidak bisa bicara\u00a0bahasa Indonsia. \u00a0Sorry, I don’t speak Indonesian.<\/p>\n – \u00a0 \u00a0 Saya tidak\u00a0mengerti. I don’t understand.<\/p>\n Bank and Currency Exchange<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Di mana tempat penukaran uang? Where is a money changer located?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Berapa kurs\/nilai tukar dolar hari ini? How much is today’s exchange rates?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saya mau tukar (uang) dolar ke rupiah. I want to exchange dollar for rupiah.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Berapa biaya menguangkan cek perjalanan? How much are fees to cash a traveler’s checks?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apa ada ATM di sekitar sini? Is there an ATM around here?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apa saya bisa pakai kartu kredit di ATM? Can I use a credit card in your ATM?<\/p>\n At a Restaurant<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tolong menunya! The menu, please!<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mau pesan apa? What do you want to order?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apa menu spesial hari ini? What is today’s special?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saya mau pesan …\u00a0 I want to order …<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saya mau minum bir\/air putih\/teh. Literally, “I want to drink,” etc.,\u00a0but you\u00a0use\u00a0it\u00a0to\u00a0say, “I want to order beer\/<\/p>\n bwater\/tea.”<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tolong bonnya! The bill, please!<\/p>\n Shopping<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Berapa harganya? How much is it?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Harga pas berapa? What is your fixed price?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apa bisa kurang? Can you reduce the price?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ini terlalu mahal! It is too expensive!<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ini uangnya. Literally, “this is the money,” but you\u00a0use\u00a0it\u00a0when\u00a0offering payment\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0purchase.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mana kembaliannya? Where is the change? (Use\u00a0it\u00a0to remind the seller that you haven’t received change).<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apa saya harus bayar dengan uang tunai? Should I pay it with cash?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apa (saya) bisa bayar dengan kartu credit? Can I pay it with a credit card?<\/p>\n At a Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apa ada kamar kosong? Is there any room available?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saya mau pesan kamar untuk saya sendiri (satu orang). I want to reserve a room for myself (one person).<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apa sarapan sudah termasuk dalam tarif kamar? Is the breakfast included in the room rate?<\/p>\n Transportation (taking a taxi)<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Naik apa ke sana? How do you\u00a0get\u00a0there?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tolong pakai argo, ya! Please use the meter!<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bisa antar saya ke …\u00a0? Can you take me to …?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apa taksi ini kosong? Is the taxi available?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Berapa lama sampai ke tempat tujuan? How long will it take to the destination?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tolong berhenti di sini! Please stop here!<\/p>\n Asking for help<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bisa bantu saya? Could you help\/assist me?<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saya perlu pertolongan. I need help (if you have an accident).<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saya dapat kecelakaan. I had an accident.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tolong bawa saya ke rumah sakit. Please take me to the hospital.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Di mana kantor polisi? Where is the police station?<\/p>\n – \u00a0 \u00a0 Terima kasih (atas) pertolongannya\/bantuannya. Thanks for your assistance\/help.<\/p>\n *You can drop\u00a0the word in the bracket.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You might have checked the traveling preparation checklist; momentarily, you sit back and wait for the time to leave for the country and enjoy your vacation. So, what do you have left?\u00a0 If it is your first time to visit the country, you might be curious about how you were going to communicate with the…<\/p>\n