Culture Notes

The intricacies of Yogya can be made simpler and more convenient if you understand its situation and traditions. A few tips below can help you to spend your holiday in Yogya nicer.

Shopping

It's common to bargain in Yogya, especially in local markets or in shops where tourists buy. Depending on the place, starting prices can be two or even three times the standard local price. If you have agreed on a price you should buy the item. If you have no interest in the item at all, better not to start bargain because if you do make an offer and the seller accepts your offer you are more or less obligated to go through with the deal.

Clothing

Dress is normally very casual. Light summer clothing (preferably of natural fabrics) is suitable for this climate. We suggest that you do not wear impolite clothing (especially for ladies) because the Javanese culture avoids those styles.

Drinking water

Water from the tap is not suitable for drinking. All water (except bottled water) have to be boiled (or purified) before drinking. In hotels you always get boiled water, even the water used for ice cubes is boiled. In the villages and the smaller restaurants ice normally comes from the factory.

Medical Facilities

Besides western medical facilities, massage and herbal medicines are also available. Herbal medicines (jamu) often taste terrible but do wonders. Some local medicines also involve supernatural powers, available for those who believe.

Language

The language of Central Java (including Yogyakarta) is Javanese, which consists of three language levels. Javanese is a very complicated language to learn, however, if you can manage to pick up a few words which you can use at the right moment, you certainly will please the people very much. English will help you through most of the time, yet to be able to communicate in Indonesian will considerably enlarge you ability to know what is going on in Indonesia.

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