LANGUAGE AND CONDUCT

Jakarta city as the capital of Indonesia has mixed up ethnic groups, even foreign people working with companies, diplomatic mission staffs and traders. Thanks god that Indonesia has national language called Bahasa Indonesia which is the daily communication of the people of Jakarta. The history of Jakarta has formed the social condition of a society reflecting national variety with various influences of foreign elements. It was thought that the original resident of Jakarta as the Betawi people, but historical researches show different trace. Toward the middle of 20th century new identity of Betawi was known and was the majority of the people in Jakarta. Among those people they speak bahasa Indonesia with changes of some vocal at the end of the word ( ultime pronunciation ) where / a / is pronounced as / é / such as / Jakarta / they say / Jakarté /, / apa / they say / apé / and all words ending with vocal / a /. It is lucky also that bahasa Indonesia expresses egaliterian society which is very different from Javanese and Balinese, so one can quickly learn some expression without higher risk of humiliating one person by their speak. The ethic of communication is the same as other people of Indonesia, basically they do not feel comfortable if their speech is cut or face doesn't meet. Shouting is considered serious menacing and should be avoided, what ever strain the situation is. Some phrases as an example of communication in bahasa Indonesia are given below, with some notes as follows:
# Addressing people in a communication needs personal pronounce which is considered polite. For man / woman of older age the title of " Pak " from " Bapak ", and " Bu " from " Ibu " are good enough, since there is no other choice available, as the comparison of Sir and Madam.
- Selamat pagi Pak / Bu = Good morning Sir / Madam,
- Boleh saya bertanya? = May I ask a question?
Bahasa Indonesia introduces the words for greeting such as :
Good morning = Selamat pagi
Good afternoon = Selamat siang
Good evening = Selamat sore
Good night = Selamat malam or Selamat tidur
For woman / man that appear younger, a tittle of " Dik " from " Adik " means brother or sister ( used for both sexes ) is considered more polite and colloquial :
- Hello dik, boleh saya bertanya? = Hallo brother/sister can I ask you?
In public communication it is used to address younger people with more polite feeling. Please note, that reading the alphabet used in the composition of words of Bahasa Indonesia just like reading Italian, totally different from reading in English. One alphabet is considered represent single vocal or consonant, for example / a / is read as English / are /, / i / is read as / e / in meet, / u / is read like /oo/ in book, /o/ is read as / o / in ago.

In contemporary style Jakarta always has funny expression that is used to show their identity being the people of the metropolis, but this style would not be necessary to be discussed here, as they will aware if they speak with whom, and if they would understand what they are pronouncing. Some short phrases that might useful for travelers to Jakarta will be presented in small numbers with formation concept.
# Question Words:
- Where is/are the .............. = Di mana ............? used to ask about nuance/impersonal/gerund. For example are some questions as follows:
+ Where is the book? = Di mana buku itu?, Where is the teacher ? = Di mana Guru? Where is he ?= Di mana dia? and others.
+ Where do you work? = Di mana anda bekerja?, Where are you going = Ke mana anda pergi? and others.
+ How + Verb = Bagaimana caranya? for example :
How it work? = Bagaimana caranya kerja?, How you do? = Bagaimana caranya anda mengerjakan? and others,
+ How + Adjective = Alangkah, for examples :
How beautiful she is! = Alangkah cantiknya dia, How heavy it is = Alangkah beratnya, and others.
+ Who + Personal pronounce = Siapa? asking about a person. Who is coming? = Siapa yang datang?, Who is working there? = Siapa bekerja di sana? and others.
+ What = Apa? for example : Apa itu? = what is that?, Whatever is that = Apapun itu, What it means? = Apa artinya? and others.
Where = Di mana or Ke mana, for example : Where are you going = ke mana anda pergi?, Where are you staying = di mana anda tinggal?, Where is the place = Di mana tempat itu?, and others. Wherever it is = di manapun itu. Whereabouts of him = Ada di mana dia?
+ Which = Yang mana? for example? Which do you like? = Anda suka yang mana, Whichever you say = Apapun yang anda katakan, and others.
# Wish or Would like = ingin, bermaksud. I wish to come = Saya ingin datang, I would like you to say = Saya ingin anda yang mengatakan, Your wishing is good = Keinginan anda bagus, and so on.
# Time = Jam, Waktu, Saat. What time is it? = Jam berapa?, How many hours = Berapa jam?, It is time to lunch = Saatnya makan siang, For the time being = Pada saat ini, In due time = Pada waktunya.
# Personal Pronounce : She/he = dia, him/her = dia, nya, his/her = miliknya. She/he sings = dia bernyanyi, She/he hit him/her = dia memukul dia ( dia memukulnya ), She/she sing for him/her = dia bernyanyi untuknya. They = mereka, mereka itu, them = mereka for example : They called them = Mereka memanggil mereka itu ( object must be visible, if not must add a description to indicate which of them ). You = kamu ( very colloquial ), anda ( polite ), saudara ( formal ). Address to a person which is not well known is better to use anda or saudara. Although a person is well known but older age will be better to use his/her title as mentioned above. For example there is a discussion of two indonesian persons :
Marsiem ( younger ) : Who is coming ( Siapa yang sedang datang? )
Marsinem ( older ) : Me, you take this to kitchen ( Saya, kamu ambil ini dan bawa ke dapur ).
Marsiem : No, you do it ( Tidak, anda saja bawa ). If you are serious to step by step apprehend bahasa indonesia you can visit more complete guidance.

Getting in touch with the people of Jakarta whatever their religion is, follows almost the same manner for example address older people by his/her name is not considered polite. Pointing with left hand or by foot is serious humilitation. Giving something or receiving by left hand is also considered not polite. Among the Muslim people they do not eat beef, and afraid of dog, and observe fasting period, during the month of Ramadhan. It is suggested not to eat or drink thing at front of them, or better ask if they join the fasting, if yes avoid this, smoking at front of them is also be avoided. Taxis transportation are available in Jakarta city and the airport. Make sure you must order your taxi or car from a tour company which is legally certified, note the name of the company, their telephone number or even the name of he driver and address which is usually stands at the front of the driver on the dashboard. If you order your taxi or transportation from a tour operator it would not need to worry anything, yet you might wish to do your own but this is a very important advise you have to take as consideration. Taking taxi on the road without knowing well their company is strongly not suggested or even take a taxi at the airport with clear identification you must make the driver not to take a passengers on the road during your travel, if the taxi with meter you must make sure that the driver put on the tools with pretext you can read, and if this is not agreed by the driver you better not take his service. In case you take a taxi meter do not continue your journey if you find this condition. Make sure doors are locked. Shopping or tipping most of restaurant add 5.5 % to 10% from the bill yet no limitation for extra tip if you feel that they are deserve too. Payment by credit card will be added 3% to 3.5% from the total bill as the interest incurred by the bank to the merchant. In case you shop or buy something and pay by credit card it would be wise to ask this first to the vendor if you will count such an additional charges. For porters at the airport and the hotel Rp 2.000 per luggage usually sufficient for short haul. For taxi driver a tip of Rp 5.000 for short journey between 30 to 60 minutes would be sufficient, but not limited if you feel that he deserves to get more from you. Cuisine in Jakarta's' restaurants cover many types all around the glove. Many of the best can be found at restaurant belong to the hotels. The bigger concentration of cafes and restaurants can be found at southern suburb of Kemang, there you can find every thing from Turkish to Brazilian and American ribs, all in close proximity to each other as well as scores of theme cafes and night spots.

STIBAOne of the most Language Academy in Indonesia is found in Bali STIBA SARASWATI Denpasar majoring English and Japanese.

See More Area Information on Jakarta
Ancol Recreation Park
China Town or Glodok
Gambir Railway Staion
Kemang Area
Kelapa Gading
Kebayoran Baru Area
Kuningan Area
Jakarta Convention Center
Jakarta International Expo
Jalan Thamrin Area
Lapangan Banteng Area
Mangga Dua Area
Marina Boat Pier
Tanjung Priok Sea Port
Tebet Area
Museum in Jakarta
National Museum
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Taman Marzuki Art Center