Shake hands and give a slight nod when meeting for the first time. After the first meeting, a handshake is not necessary; a slight bow or nod of the head is sufficient. Shake an Indonesian woman's hand only if she initiates the greeting. Greet people with "Selamat" (sell-a-mat), which means peace. Say it slowly and sincerely.
Greetings can be rather formal as they are meant to show respect.
A handshake is the most common greeting accompanied with the word "Selamat".
Many Indonesians may give a slight bow or place their hands on their heart after shaking your hand.
If you are being introduced to several people, always start with the eldest or most senior person first.
Titles are important in Indonesia as they signify status. If you know of any titles ensure you use them in conjunction with the name.
Some Indonesians only have one name, although it is becoming more common for people to have a first name and a surname, especially in the middle class.
Many Indonesians, especially those from Java, may have had an extremely long name, which was shortened into a sort of nickname for everyday conversation.
There are several ethnic groups in Indonesia. Most have adopted Indonesian names over the years, while some retain the naming conventions of their ethnicity.