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GIFT GIVING IN INDONESIA*
- Gift Giving Etiquette
BUSINESS GIFT GIVING /
PERSONAL GIFT GIVING
General Guidelines
- During the
first meeting, presenting your Indonesian counterparts with small gifts is
one of the best ways to display your interest and sincerity in
establishing a long-term business relationship. On this occasion, the
gifts should be modest but thoughtful, such as tokens representative of
your country or that feature your company logo.
- You are also
expected to give gifts to celebrate an occasion, when you return from a
trip, when you are invited to an Indonesian home, when a visitor comes to
tour your office or workplace, and to thank someone for providing you with
a service.
- Gifts of food
are always appreciated by Indonesian Chinese, but avoid bringing food
gifts with you to a dinner party [unless it has been agreed upon
beforehand]. To bring food may imply that your host cannot provide enough.
Instead, send food as a thank-you gift afterwards. Candy or fruit baskets
are good choices.
- Indonesian
Chinese will customarily refuse a gift three times before accepting, since
they believe that following this ritual prevents them from appearing
greedy. In turn, continue to insist; when the recipients finally accept,
say that you are pleased that they have done so. When you receive a gift,
you will also be expected to follow the same routine.
- Unwrapping a
gift in front of the giver is not a part of Indonesian culture. This
action implies that the recipient is greedy and impatient. Moreover, if
the gift turns out to be a poor choice, “loss of face” will result.
Instead, the recipient will briefly say “thank-you”, set aside the gift,
and then open it only after your departure. You will also be expected to
follow this ritual when you receive a gift.
- Western
advertising has popularized flowers as gifts. Make sure you give an even
number of flowers because an odd number is considered an omen of bad luck.
- Remember that
personal gifts from a man to a woman can be misinterpreted as having a
romantic intent. Consequently, Indonesian business protocol requires that
a businessman say that his wife sent the gift.
At Chinese New Year, it is customary to present a gift of money in a
red envelope to children and nongovernmental service personnel you deal
with on a regular basis. The gift is called a “hong bao.” Ensure that you
give only new bills in even numbers and even amounts. Many employers give
each employee a “hong bao” equivalent to one month's salary.
Appreciated Gifts
- Modest but
thoughtful gifts, such as tokens representative of your country or that
feature your company logo can be appropriate, especially during first
meetings.
- With the
exception of dinner parties, food can be a welcome gift on most occasions.
Moreover, when visiting an area of Indonesia where a delicacy is
available, it's expected that you bring samples back for your friends.
When selecting a gift of food for an observant Muslim, however, meat
products must be “halal”, which is the Muslim equivalent of kosher.
- In Indonesia,
songbirds are prized pets. Moreover, tapes and CDs of the music of
champion songbirds are popular here, and make good gifts for those with
affection for birds.
Gifts to Avoid
- Avoid
bringing gifts of food with you to a dinner party unless it has been
agreed upon beforehand. To bring food may imply that the hospitality is
inadequate--a terrible insult to an Indonesian host. Your safest option is
to send food as a thank-you gift afterwards. Candy or fruit baskets are
good choices.
Gifts to Avoid Giving to Indonesian Chinese
- Refrain from
giving gifts of knives, scissors, or other cutting tools to the Chinese,
since they suggest the severing of a friendship or other close bond.
- The following
items are associated with funerals and should be avoided:straw sandals,
clocks, handkerchiefs, gifts or wrapping paper in white, black, or blue
Gifts to Avoid Giving to an Observant
Muslim
- alcohol,
perfumes containing alcohol, pork, pigskin products, personal items such
as underwear, knives, toy dogs or gifts that picture dogs, images of nude
or partially clad women [even in paintings or sculptures with artistic
merit]
Gifts to Avoid Giving to an Observant
Hindu
- Be sensitive
that observant Hindus do not eat beef or use cattle products.
Consequently, leather items of any kind should not be considered as gifts.
*IndonesiaBusiness
Etiquette - Gift Giving. Executive Planet. 30 July 2004
<http://www.executiveplanet.com/business-culture-in/132274454814.html>. |
Above: The flag of
Indonesia
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