Cultural differences

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  RHP User

  12 years ago

  How do you know this "girl"?....Family is very important to the Balinese,so is religion,she may be Hindu...most Balinese are,Muslim,or Christian....her caste ,whether her family are wealthy landowners or poor,which village she comes from...Is she single ....has she ever been married,does she have children....it really depends on her and her circumstances.... I assume that you will be meeting her when you are there....and I would tread very carefully, it would be very easy to sexually exploit this young woman if her economic circumstances are fragile,and I am sure you wouldn't want to do that....Bali is a beautiful place,have a great time xx Q

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  Seachange73

  12 years ago

  Quoting 'Qefenta2' How do you know this "girl"?....Family is very important to the Balinese,so is religion,she may be Hindu...most Balinese are,Muslim,or Christian....her caste ,whether her family are wealthy landowners or poor,which village she comes from...Is she single ....has she ever been married,does she have children....it really depends on her and her circumstances.... I assume that you will be meeting her when you are there....and I would tread very carefully, it would be very easy to sexually exploit this young woman if her economic circumstances are fragile,and I am sure you wouldn't want to do that....Bali is a beautiful place,have a great time xx Q Flicka69. Agree with most of Ms. Q's comments. Not meaning to nitpick, Q, but most Balinese are Hindu and believe in the more gentle compassionate view of life. To be safe, there are lots of books you can read up on Balinese culture or just Google it. I commend you for being culturally sensitive as that is such a wonderful attribute. The Balinese people are gentle warm and generous in nature and very courteous. And very laid back. Their daily pace is not the same as in Australia. i travel to Bali every year for work and i find that when I deal with my Balinese clients, it is about how we express ourselves that can make a difference. Never assume anything as they will not directly express their thoughts or feelings as that can be considered rude and overbearing. And not wanting to 'lose face'. Honour is big there. They will drop hints and it is up to you to gently question them and confirm your understanding. If you want things done, ask them politely if they 'can' or 'want' to do it. Lol. I know, bit of work but a bit of cultural sensitivity and empathy goes a long way to achieve the desired results. And you come out as not looking like the 'Ugly Aussies' that some are when they get there. Enjoy!!!

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  RHP User

  12 years ago

  I did say that most Balinese are Hindu but in the North in the fishing villages many are Muslim and there are some Christians as well.It is important I think not to assume that all Balinese are Hindu.I have spent a lot of time in Bali and have a great deal of respect for the Balinese but as lilyorchid said,be respectful and sensitive to the culture.xxQ

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  Seachange73

  12 years ago

  Quoting 'Qefenta2' I did say that most Balinese are Hindu but in the North in the fishing villages many are Muslim and there are some Christians as well.It is important I think not to assume that all Balinese are Hindu.I have spent a lot of time in Bali and have a great deal of respect for the Balinese but as lilyorchid said,be respectful and sensitive to the culture.xxQ she may be Hindu...most Balinese are,Muslim,or Christian.I may have misread that one. didn't see the comma. Lol. My bad.

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  MsSuperFoxy

  12 years ago

  My exact same thoughts... I've been to Bali and it's not the same as Australians see in magazines and on TV. May I suggest read up and educate yourselves on the Balinese culture, customs, traditions and family life. Have you been before to Bali before OP? Foxy

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  RHP User

  12 years ago

  Yes we have been a couple of times before Foxxxy and genuinely appreciate the gentle and genuine nature of the Balinese. This particular woman is some what well off and we will not take advantage in any form anyway. If something was to happen it would be nice, but either way friendship would still be nice.....

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