Random questions from Jakarta newcomer

[xplorsky89]

In a random order below...

1. No self-service coin laundry... I think I saw one shop listed in the maps, and that was it. I prefer to wash my clothes in a separate load from the others... I can specifically request my load to be washed separately at a shop, but I'm not sure if they would deliver on the promise...

2. There does not seem to be a culture of street massage, like it is in Thailand, and I'm talking normal massage, not special massage. In particular, foot massage seems like something that is not commonly available. I miss being able to find a foot massage shop within 5 minutes of walking around anywhere. Am I missing something in plain sight?

3. Almost no birds in the city...is it the pollution? Bangkok is polluted too yet the sight of pigeons and sparrows is quite common there.

4. The other day a group of middle-aged hijab-wearing women suddenly approached me on the street and wanted to take a photo with me like I was some kind of celebrity, and really insisted despite my reluctance. This would be ok except nearby on the side walk there were motorcycle drivers and other local men hanging out, and I don't think they liked watching "their" women flock over a bule in broad daylight. Not a comfortable moment there.

5. Bules seem to be mostly ones wearing shorts around here.

6. People don't wear sunglasses much, even in bright sun.

7. In many Grab cars sun visors are covered with a plastic bag. Why?

8. In a mixed section on a bus, it seems women and men prefer not to sit next to each other, is that right? I'm reluctant to take an empty seat next to a woman. I did sit next to women on MRT though.

9. Toilet attendants in upscale malls... every single restroom has someone greeting you with a seemingly genuine wide smile, and the faculties are impeccably clean. Like I've never seen before. I feel like tipping them sometimes, but there is no tip jar, and I'm afraid slipping them a 2K bill could be odd or insulting.

that's all for now, but I may add more later... Anyone's suggestions, especially on foot massage and coin laundry would be very helpful.

 

[Hawk256]

1. It's almost as cheap to let a shop do it and you support a local worker in the process. They really do a nice job and you get them back folded.
2. Indonesia has a large Muslim population so massages are strictly theraputic and not in high demand. Expect male on male or female on female in most places. Go to a Chinese area and things are different.
3. No idea.
4. It will happen and it's hard to say no. Consider in part of the territory and don't worry about the men, they really want your picture too but are much less likely to ask.
5. Depending on where you hang out you will see some sloppy tourists but you will almost never see an Indonesian in shorts outside the Chinese areas where things are more relaxed.
6. I guess they are used to it and don't want to spend money on them?
7. They keep the visors covers to keep handprints from getting onto the fabric, even if it's vinyl and would wipe away.
8. Back to the Muslim majority. Men and women don't mix that much in public.
9. No need to tip them. They don't expect it and Indonesian certainly don't. However some of the more "street" areas will have pay toilets for 2,000 rupiah.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

2. Indonesia has a large Muslim population so massages are strictly theraputic and not in high demand. Expect male on male or female on female in most places
Thanks for the good laugh, that might be the funniest thing I have read for a while.

 

[Shadrach]

On you number 3 question, all the birds have either been eaten or their terrified to be put into cages, so they all flew to Australia.

 

[gemima]

2. there are massage places but you can just get them to come to your place rather than going to the massage place.
3. I see plenty of sparrows where I live in menteng - there are trees here so maybe thats why. Indo has a huge culture of trapping song birds and keeping them in tiny cages, there arent many song birds left in the wild in Java probably
4. Get used to having your photo taken. this is normal here.
5. Shorts are a bit revealing if you are adhering to islam (the majority religion here) so you dont see them much. DO NOT go to any government building in shorts.
9. They are there because a lot of people here make a total mess with getting water everywhere when using the toilet (i'm not saying the are messy going to the toilet - but they do splash water everywhere) and the attendants are there to mop it up - its worse in the ladies. I've literally never tipped one of them in all the years I've lived here - I just thank them and smile.

 

[Wisnu]

Which area?
Jakarta - excluding Bodetabek is not a small area. There are five different municipalities, central, north east, west and south. East and south Jakarta are more residential and also greener than central, west and north Jakarta.
Even in one municipality it can be very different. You can enjoy five-star restaurant in a luxury skyscraper apartment or hotel, but go down and walk a little and eat delicious street food of USD 1 in a Warteg in a slum.
Birds are hard to find in the CBD or commercial areas or dense settlements - but it's not too difficult to enjoy their melodious voices in a number of Jakarta's city forests. If you like birds, the newly renovated bird park at TMII has a very large aviary with a fairly complete collection.
There are still places in Jakarta that are inhabited by monitor lizards, snakes and even wild crocodiles - but of course it's much easier to find land crocodiles (buaya darat) in Jakarta.
Massage - there are various kinds, reflexology (foot massage), Thai massage, Japanese, blind people, broken bones, to very special ones are everywhere, as long as you know the area. Foot massage is generally in malls, shopping areas, and commercial areas of a settlement. Use your google map.

 

[Hawk256]

2. Indonesia has a large Muslim population so massages are strictly theraputic and not in high demand. Expect male on male or female on female in most places
Thanks for the good laugh, that might be the funniest thing I have read for a while.

I'm curious as to why it is funny? Certainly seems to be my observation and experience in my area. Am I missing something? The few massages that I have had made me feel worse for 3 days after.

 

[john madden]

Yep. Javanese massage is not a soothing experience. It may be therapeutic but it's hard to remember what you felt like before, when as you say, you're suffering for days after.

 

[Banana72]

No street massage in Jakarta (plus, better do it indoor in an air conditioned place). Depending on where you live, use 'pijat reflexology' as keywords should pull you plenty options. Most of them operate in 'ruko' (townhouses). If you add 'family' it supposed to be more female friendly and you can request either female/male masseuse (they call it therapist here).

 

[Helpful Herbert]

I'm curious as to why it is funny? Certainly seems to be my observation and experience in my area. Am I missing something? The few massages that I have had made me feel worse for 3 days after.

Perhaps you live within a religious community and don't get out much. But there are massage places literally everywhere in malls, in hotels, apartment blocks, in ruko, ones that you can call to your place etc. and I have never heard of a man being massaged by another man unless you live in the lbgtq+ community.
In the dozens of countries I have been to Indonesia is a close second behind Thailand for ubiquity of massage services.

 

[Hawk256]

Perhaps you live within a religious community and don't get out much. But there are massage places literally everywhere in malls, in hotels, apartment blocks, in ruko, ones that you can call to your place etc. and I have never heard of a man being massaged by another man unless you live in the lbgtq+ community.
In the dozens of countries I have been to Indonesia is a close second behind Thailand for ubiquity of massage services.

I guess it's because of where I live and it's true I don't get out in Central a lot but so far I have yet to see a Muslim reflexology where men massage women or women massage men. That is a no-no is Islam. I guess in these cases my experiences may not necessarily mirror society in general.

 

[Shadrach]

Perhaps you live within a religious community and don't get out much. But there are massage places literally everywhere in malls, in hotels, apartment blocks, in ruko, ones that you can call to your place etc. and I have never heard of a man being massaged by another man unless you live in the lbgtq+ community.
In the dozens of countries I have been to Indonesia is a close second behind Thailand for ubiquity of massage services.

I'm curious, is getting a massage a Sin?
You mentioned a LBGTQ+ and I wondered what's the + for? Is there more ways of being being Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transsexual, Queer,
What is the difference in being Gay or Queer? I never did get that?

 

[Shadrach]

I guess it's because of where I live and it's true I don't get out in Central a lot but so far I have yet to see a Muslim reflexology where men massage women or women massage men. That is a no-no is Islam. I guess in these cases my experiences may not necessarily mirror society in general.

You right, They might actually enjoy it, and get excited! Can't have that now ,Can We?

 

[Helpful Herbert]

So all the thousands of Muslim men being massaged by women everyday throughout Jakarta are not proper Muslims then? Interesting.
I always had a feeling that the number of Muslims in this country is massively overstated, for political reasons.

 

[nd_eric_77]

In a random order below...

1. No self-service coin laundry... I think I saw one shop listed in the maps, and that was it. I prefer to wash my clothes in a separate load from the others... I can specifically request my load to be washed separately at a shop, but I'm not sure if they would deliver on the promise...

2. There does not seem to be a culture of street massage, like it is in Thailand, and I'm talking normal massage, not special massage. In particular, foot massage seems like something that is not commonly available. I miss being able to find a foot massage shop within 5 minutes of walking around anywhere. Am I missing something in plain sight?

3. Almost no birds in the city...is it the pollution? Bangkok is polluted too yet the sight of pigeons and sparrows is quite common there.

4. The other day a group of middle-aged hijab-wearing women suddenly approached me on the street and wanted to take a photo with me like I was some kind of celebrity, and really insisted despite my reluctance. This would be ok except nearby on the side walk there were motorcycle drivers and other local men hanging out, and I don't think they liked watching "their" women flock over a bule in broad daylight. Not a comfortable moment there.

5. Bules seem to be mostly ones wearing shorts around here.

6. People don't wear sunglasses much, even in bright sun.

7. In many Grab cars sun visors are covered with a plastic bag. Why?

8. In a mixed section on a bus, it seems women and men prefer not to sit next to each other, is that right? I'm reluctant to take an empty seat next to a woman. I did sit next to women on MRT though.

9. Toilet attendants in upscale malls... every single restroom has someone greeting you with a seemingly genuine wide smile, and the faculties are impeccably clean. Like I've never seen before. I feel like tipping them sometimes, but there is no tip jar, and I'm afraid slipping them a 2K bill could be odd or insulting.

that's all for now, but I may add more later... Anyone's suggestions, especially on foot massage and coin laundry would be very helpful.

1. I pass by a self-service laundry place on my way home from work every day, but it is not in Jakarta proper. It is on the way going towards Lake Cipondoh in Tangerang. Idk whether the machines are QRIS, card, or coin-operated.
2. There are plenty of massage places. The ones that have the word "family" in their name and accept male and female customers are generally considered to be legitimate. Other places have only female "therapists" in alluring clothing and do not accept any female customers. Those places are assumed to provide "extra" services.
3. Our neighborhood has a few birds, but more bats.
4. The "take a photo with the bule" phenomenon used to be a lot more common 12 or 15 years ago, but we are less of a novelty these days (except in the rural villages).
5. I suppose this is true; never really thought much about it.
6. People who spend a lot of time in the sun have adjusted to not wearing sunglasses.
7. This is the same culture that has tv and AC remotes still in the same plastic they came in when the appliances were first purchased.
8. Going back to #2, I think you are noticing male / female separation more than the general public would notice it. Just sit where there is an empty seat.
9. Toilet attendants (and wait staff at restaurants) do not expect tips. Tips are not considered insulting but are just not part of the culture (THANK GOD). Whatever you do, PLEASE DO NOT IMPORT AMERICAN TIPPING CULTURE HERE!!!

 

[Hawk256]

So all the thousands of Muslim men being massaged by women everyday throughout Jakarta are not proper Muslims then? Interesting.

Won't go as far as to say they aren't "proper" Muslims. Just like any religion you have some conservative and some liberal as well as some religious in name only. It's definitely not considered the best idea and you would have to find two parties that agree to "bend" the rules.

 

[pantaiema]

Perhaps you live within a religious community and don't get out much. But there are massage places literally everywhere in malls, in hotels, apartment blocks, in ruko, ones that you can call to your place etc. and I have never heard of a man being massaged by another man unless you live in the lbgtq+ community.
In the dozens of countries I have been to Indonesia is a close second behind Thailand for ubiquity of massage services.

There are plenty of them in Jakarta and other major cities. In Jakarta for instance, massage and spa establishments are around Mangga Besar, Hayam Wuruk, Kota Indah, the area around lokasari, King Cross Kelapa Gading, Blok M, etc. This might be one of the reason why many Japanese, Chinese, and wealthy Asian tourists visit these areas. But many local people, from various ethnic are also visiting these areas. 'Alexis' hotel and massage was once very popular before it closed down a few years ago.

There are numerous video clips on YouTube covering these "plus-plus" massage parlors. People could easily search it by themselves using the search words of the areas I have mentioned above so they could have the idea how they are actually operating. But If anyone is interested, I can share the links privately on 'the cage' to avoid offending others.

By operating under the guise of a spa or massage business, the owners can evade laws that criminalize prostitution-related activities.

 

[Balifrog]

It's definitely not considered the best idea and you would have to find two parties that agree to "bend" the rules.

Hahaha....
In my Missus kampung (Banyuwangi area) I am aware of so many cases...
And she told me some stories.....

 

[xplorsky89]

Foot massage is generally in malls, shopping areas, and commercial areas of a settlement

No street massage in Jakarta (plus, better do it indoor in an air conditioned place). Depending on where you live, use 'pijat reflexology' as keywords should pull you plenty options.

But there are massage places literally everywhere in malls, in hotels, apartment blocks, in ruko, ones that you can call to your place etc.

There are plenty of massage places. The ones that have the word "family" in their name and accept male and female customers are generally considered to be legitimate. Other places have only female "therapists" in alluring clothing and do not accept any female customers.

There are plenty of them in Jakarta and other major cities. In Jakarta for instance, massage and spa establishments are around Mangga Besar, Hayam Wuruk, Kota Indah, the area around lokasari, King Cross Kelapa Gading, Blok M, etc.

To be clear, when I said "street massage" I meant indoors, Thailand style: you walk on a street, you see a massage place, you make sure it looks like a professional massage (not extra-oriented one), you walk in, you choose a foot massage, and you sit in a chair. Professional massage means women are well trained for the actual massage, not just a sloppy rub hoping to sell extras in the end. Getting foot massage in a chair ensures there will no extras upsell (which can still happen even in a professional places) since you are in the room with other people.

I'm well aware of all kinds of the special/extra massage an spa places in Jakarta in the areas mentioned above, it's those places I actually don't want to go when I just want a normal massage, and foot massage is the one I get most of the time.

So - is "reflexology" is the keyword for the foot massage and other professional theraputic massage here, correct? I did see a number of such places in malls, yes, for some reason they put me off looking bit too "spa-like" to me, where I was afraid even for a foot massage I would have to undress, lay down on a table in a separate room etc. etc. as opposed to informal walkin/sit down/get rubbed/walkout kind of places I'm so used to in Thailand. So I guess next time I will just go in and see what happens

 

[Balifrog]

Going of road, but I can't understand this obsession white men and women have for massages.
30 years in various Asian countries, I have never been to one (except a few times the naughty ones..).

For me having a foot massage, or your foot nails clipped is an extreme form of neo colonialisme. Same as the shoe shine boys....