BASA BASI
It won’t be long before someone invites you to come over. Addresses and telephone numbers are exchanged. Then, when you show up, you may be embarrassed to know that the hosts apparently had forgotten about the appointment.
In Indonesia the ritual of inviting is known as ‘basa-basi’. It translates best with small talk and nobody expects that you really come.
It takes some time to understand if an invitation is basa-basi it’s real. Likewise, if you invite people, make sure that the intended guests understand that you are serious about the invitation.
The best way to avoid confusing situations is to call your other local friend and ask for their help.
Now that you know a bit about the culture, let us pull you a bit closer to locals in Bangka. Perhaps when you take a walk along the road in Bangka, and you see several ceremonies or festivals, you won’t be wondering what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.