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Indonesia is a country where religion and tradition play a really important role in everyday life. Marriage in Indonesia is closely regulated and intertwined with religion and because of this, you might find that relationships sometimes involve additional cultural, religious or family considerations, especially if you're dating someone who's from Indonesia.

How to meet new people in Indonesia?

Firstly, as you would in any other country, it's important to be aware of any local etiquette or social codes when showing interest in someone in Indonesia. Smiling is one of the most effective and easy forms of approach. You'll find that Indonesians are smiling all the time, so don't be scared to return the gesture!

Speaking a few words of the language will really help make a good impression and also make you feel a little more comfortable. Indonesians really appreciate it when foreigners make the effort to speak Bahasa Indonesia. Below are a few simple expressions commonly used in daily life:

• Hello – Halo / Hai
• Good morning – Selamat pagi
• Good afternoon – Selamat siang
• Good evening – Selamat sore
• How are you? – Apa kabar?

When you meet someone, be mindful of any personal and religious boundaries. For example, it's best not to shake hands with a woman (especially a Muslim woman) unless she offers her hand first. If you're in doubt or overthinking any of this, a polite nod is fine.

If you're speaking with a younger woman, commonly used terms include Mbak, Kakak, or Kak. For young men, Mas, Kakak, or Kak are appropriate. How you address someone in Indonesia all depends on the age and hierarchy, but the above terms are nearly always fine in informal social settings.

Getting married in Indonesia

If you decide to get married in Indonesia, it's really important to understand that marriage must be conducted and registered according to one of the religions that are officially recognized by the Indonesian government. Indonesia currently recognizes six religions: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Confucianism.

If the bride and groom don't share the same religion, one of you is going to have to formally convert before the marriage can take place. At the moment, Indonesia doesn't provide a way of doing a purely civil marriage that's separate from religion.

Religious and cultural norms can also influence attitudes toward relationships, especially if you're living in more conservative communities. Social expectations vary widely depending on the region, background and family, but in general, it's best to practice more discretion than in Western countries, and always have respect for local customs.

As you can imagine, relationships between expats and Indonesians almost always involve legal, cultural and family considerations that might not crop up in the same way in your home country!

Where to meet new people in Indonesia?

Many expats in Indonesia will socialize and form relationships within international or mixed social circles, particularly in larger cities. In places like Jakarta and Bali, a lot of single expats might meet people through social venues like bars, clubs and organized events. There's also running groups, yoga classes and just about anything else you can think of! You can do some research beforehand to find out which places are most popular with expat communities, depending on what kind of vibes you're looking for

Online dating is also really popular in Indonesia, especially in the bigger cities and towns. Dating platforms such as Tinder, InternationalCupid and IndonesianCupid are all used, while some services cater to users seeking partners with specific religious backgrounds. As always, the usage and popularity of these apps vary depending on the location, age group, and personal preferences.

As with dating anywhere, you should always use your common sense, take your time getting to know someone, and remain aware of cultural differences and expectations.

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