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| 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 friendship
or business relationship. On this occasion, the gifts should be modest
but thoughtful, such as tokens representative of your country or your company. |
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Business Card Holder
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| You are also expected to give gifts
to celebrate an occasion, when you return from a trip, when you are |
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| invited to an Indonesian home, when
a visitor comes to tour your office, and to thank someone for providing
you with a service. |
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| Indonesian
kids love Koala Bears, |
| T-shirts or
baseball caps especially if they feature an Australian flag or Koala. |
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| 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. |
| Western advertising has popularized
flowers as gifts. Make sure you |
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| give an even number of flowers
because an odd number is considered an omen of bad luck. |
| Unwrapping a gift in front of the
giver is not a part of Indonesian |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
| At Chinese New Year, it is customary
to present a gift of money in a red envelope to children and non governmental
service personnel you deal with on |
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| 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 |
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| employee a “hong bao” equivalent
to one month's salary. |
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Gifts
to Avoid
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
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| Observant
Hindu |
| Be sensitive that observant Hindus
do not eat beef or use cattle products, so leather items of any kind should
not be considered. |
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