🇮🇩 Indonesia Meeting Culture
Indonesian business meetings are hierarchical and relationship-driven, emphasizing harmony, patience, and respect for seniority and cultural traditions.
- Schedule meetings well in advance; avoid Ramadan if possible, as business slows significantly.
- Research the hierarchy; Indonesians place great importance on titles and positions.
- Prepare for relationship-building; Indonesians prefer doing business with people they know.
- Arrive on time; although meetings may start late, punctuality shows respect.
- Greet the most senior person first; use a gentle handshake and slight bow.
- Present business cards with both hands; examine received cards carefully.
- Begin with polite conversation about family or Indonesia before business matters.
- Indonesians avoid conflict and confrontation; "yes" may not mean agreement.
- Speak calmly and avoid raising your voice or showing anger.
- Decisions are made by consensus and may take considerable time.
- Be respectful of Islamic practices; right hand is used for giving and receiving.
- Hierarchy is respected; senior members speak first and make final decisions.
- Follow up patiently; rushing may be seen as disrespectful.
- Maintain the relationship through regular, respectful communication.