Indonesia - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Great detail on all aspects of life, the good, bad, and ugly

This is the fourth Culture Smart! book that I have read and reviewed. I love to discover information about countries and cultures and these books are the perfect way to do that. They are essentially a book for someone either travelling to or even going to live in the country the book is about. They have an extensive range of books that are updated regularly.I found the book easy to understand and enjoyable to read. It is filled with things that I would need to know had I been travelling to Indonesia for any length of time or to live there. Covered in the book is:– Land and People– Values and Attitudes– Religion and Festivals– Making Friends– Indonesians at Home– Time Out– Travel, Health, and Safety– Business Briefing– CommunicatingThe book opens with a map of the country and an introduction that teaches us about how Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago (an area that contains a group of islands scattered in lakes, rivers, or the ocean). There are more than 17,000 islands that stretch some 3,200 miles, with roughly 6,000 of them inhabited by around 260 million people.The country is multi-ethnic with more than 300 different ethnic groups. The book covers the main ethnic groups and explores their heritage and values. It teaches you about what things you shouldn’t do that would cause offence to Indonesians or what your non-verbal motions may mean to them, such as standing with your hands on your hips is classed as being aggressive, never touching their heads as this is sacred and never show the underneath of your feet.I enjoy these small pocket-sized books that are laid out in easy-to-understand and find chapters. Everything you could want to know from the history to the modern-day is covered in this short book. It would be a valuable asset for anyone who is visiting, living, or even just learning about the country.Book Reviewed on Whispering Stories Book Blog*I received a free copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed

Found this guide incredibly helpful as an introduction to Indonesian culture, society and lifestyle. Plenty of info on a range of topics including history, values, religion, festivals, cuisine, socializing, and communication. Importantly, this edition is fully up to date 👍

More a general travel and life guide than specifically culture, seems to be more a travel guide for expats than a specific study of culture and customs.Not a bad book , but a misleading title

Very helpful and informative