Do Indonesians say thank you less than others?

[Daniel50]

There's a saying, when you pointing one finger to somebody, at the same time three fingers pointing at yourself. But what do I know, I'm just psychobabbling.

Felicity......that is one thing I have learned from Indonesia culture......I now point with all fingers and thumb, therefore, there are now none pointing back; it works great.

 

[john madden]

Felicity we understand ikhlas. Is there a reciprocal behaviour/attitude?

 

[Supir Angkot]

Felicity......that is one thing I have learned from Indonesia culture......I now point with all fingers and thumb, therefore, there are now none pointing back; it works great.

Hell yeah, that’s how to order 5 more bintangs like a true jalan jaksa bule !

 

[jstar]

^
I always order three beers for us from the sawmill...

 

[Supir Angkot]

^ Lol, that's what you get for drinking on the job!

 

[Euc-]

Sometimes I also don't understand when I say thank you and the person I thanked for (westerners) said "thank you" back at me or "no worries" or "no problem", why not "you're welcome". I might also have 'value standard' of expecting "you're welcome" like some of you would expect "sama-sama". But apparently there are other ways to say/express it. Maybe that's part of the culture or just habit of one person. Why bother.

However, I hope this discussion is not leading to stereotyping about a certain culture or race. It's been spread widely to say 3 magical words; Terimakasih, Maaf, Tolong (Thank you, Sorry, Please) all over the world, not just in Indonesia, shows that it's not an issue of a specific culture or country. Therefore, I wouldn't agree to highlight a broad aspect such as culture as generalisation of a few people's specific behaviours.

In fact, it leads me to a question, what is your wife's intention when giving/helping? Is it purely altruistic gesture or does she expect something in return such as saying "thank you" or other appreciation to fulfil her value standard or your standard of good manner.

Sometimes the way we criticise one's behaviour only show more about ourselves than them. There's a saying, when you pointing one finger to somebody, at the same time three fingers pointing at yourself. But what do I know, I'm just psychobabbling.

The "No Problem" reply is actually a problem It implies that it actually was a problem to begin with, but you decided to make an exception just for that person with the "no problem" response.

In the service industry staff is (or should be) trained to avoid saying it and rather use "you're welcome", "my pleasure". Although it's a bit like fighting a losing battle as the phrase is so ingrained into the language these days.

 

[Felicity]

Felicity......that is one thing I have learned from Indonesia culture......I now point with all fingers and thumb, therefore, there are now none pointing back; it works great.

Daniel, that appears as confrontative towards aggressive to me lol
But depends, are your fingers straighten, a little bend, upward or downward

 

[cup1981]

I've notice orang sunda are pretty polite. The only thing that gets me is when I say "hatur nuhun" I get more chuckles and gaping mouths than a "sami-sami." They are amazed at the bule sunda. lol

 

[Scooterindo]

With gifts I notice that cultural here it's very subdued. Frist they dont want to open it in front of you and dont expect a big thank you. It was weird at frist. But when you aren't around they post it on FB and show it to every one they know or leave it out so everyone will see what they got. Don't take it personally it's just how it's done here though we do miss the excitement of giving someone a gift and seeing the excitement. So keep on giving .

This is pretty much the answer I would give, I also learnt years ago not to expect a big show of excitement or gratitude for the giving of gifts. Its not really rude just different cultural norms.

However some things still get up my nose despite being used to it now. The door slamming in the following women's face is a favorite as is the trying to get into a lift before the passengers have gotten out. One is just poor manners and the other is just illogical stupidity.

 

[rabbit_39]

I often say no worries, or no problems instead of you're welcome. It's common where I grew up. It was to make light of the effort I gave, that it was not a bother for me to have done something that deserved a thank you.

Another answer that I use depending on who it is and the context is "any time" . Again mostly to make light of the assistance and that I would gladly do it again in that circumstance with that person.