Cultural Idiosyncrasies

In general, culture can be viewed as the customs, arts and social interactions of people or other social group. For me, culture grows from particular group of people in nation they inhabit. As an Indonesian, I know that Indonesia has its own cultural habits, which is very different from other nations. Sometimes it is idiosyncrasies that are open to interpretation and could leave a foreigner confused.

One of the Indonesia cultural habits that may be lead to confusion is little sense of personal space or privacy. Gossip and curiosity are rampant and Indonesians will ask you a wide range of personal questions. Foreigners can find the question irritating or even infuriating, but more often than not, it is an expression of interest to a foreigner. The other cultural habits is the using of right hand. Throughout Indonesian society, the left hand is used for “toilet duties” and considered as unclean. It is rude and obscene to hand something to someone with your left hand, especially food or drink, or to shake hands. Therefore, if your right hand is occupied, it is best to try and switch the item to your left hand and use your right hand to handing or receiving something.

I believe either Indonesia or other countries have their own cultural idiosyncrasies. One thing that you should remember, when in Rome, do as a the Romans do.