How to Greet People in Indonesia

Steps

1. For greetings, you can always speak in simple ‘Hi’ or ‘Hello’. In non-formal situation, you might say ‘Apa Kabar?’ (How are you?) read it in phonetic way. In formal way, you might want to use ‘Selamat Pagi’ in place of Good Morning, ‘Selamat Siang’ for Good Afternoon, ‘Selamat Sore’ for Good Evening, and ‘Selamat Malam’ for Good Night.
2. If you ask a person using terms ‘Apa Kabar?’, the answer most likely be ‘Baik-baik saja’ atau ‘Kabar baik’ which means ‘I’m fine, thank you’
3. Bahasa Indonesia might need to read and pronounced in phonetic way, sound it the way you see, but nobody will laugh at you if you accidentally slipped on and using your usual accent.
4. In formal situation, use the words ‘Pak’ or ‘Bu’ in front of a person’s name. ‘Pak’ is for male and ‘Bu’ is for female. Ex: Pak Mulyawan (male) ; Bu Kartini (female). This will work too if you’re talking to someone who’s older or has higher position than you.
5. Indonesian way for naming is not always using surname or family name. If a person named ‘Arif Perdana’ does not mean his family name is Perdana. Feel free to call him with just ‘Pak Arif’. Some Indonesian even named with one single first name, without middle name or family name.
6. Don’t have to be so harsh if an Indonesian you barely meet calls you with your first name. Indonesian people uses first name basis in daily life, to whomever they meet. Exception is for married female, nobles and royalty.
7. Married female will likely using their husband’s name, but in the way they like it. Use the name she told you when you introduced to her. Don’t forget to add ‘Bu/Ibu’ before you speak her name.
8. Speak in English if you get suddenly stuck and don’t know what to do or to say.

Source : www.wikihow.com