Customs and behaviour

Many visitors come away from Bali thinking the island is very liberal and licentious since the bulk of tourists here enjoy drinking lots of alcohol and wearing few clothes, at or away from the beach. While Bali is a tourist island and relaxation is encouraged, there are a few basics that most visitors may like to bear in mind.

The main caution, of course, is drugs. The Indonesian legal system may be beset with persistent allegations of corruption and bribery, but the law in Indonesia including Bali takes any form of drug use or possession very seriously. Tourist brochures and travel agents try not to mention the amount of foreigners languishing in Balinese jails on drug offenses, but the numbers are relatively high and even possession of small quantities of any drug can result in severe sentences.

Drugs are on sale on the streets and in the clubs and bars of Bali. It may seem that they are everywhere and that therefore policing of drugs is lax and even totally absent. This is not the case, and anyone looking to imbibe should be very aware of the potential outcomes if busted.

There are only four first names for each gender in Bali. The first born child will be called Wayan or Putu, the second-born Made or Kadek. Third born children will be called  Nyoman or Komang and a fourth born child will be called Ketut. In the case of more children, the naming cycle starts again, with the fifth born being called Wayan or Putu, a sixth born Made or Kadek, and so on.

Large families are managed by older children being put in managerial charge of younger kids. The Balinese love children and family life, and very large, extended families are common here. Often, several generations along with in-laws will live under the one roof. People living alone are considered sad and suspect.

Village communities are tightly-knit and all members of the local community have a role to play. Privacy is fairly low on the priority scale for most Balinese since in most parts of the island, everyone communicates openly and everyone knows everyone else’s business.