Saturday, June 4, 2011

Proper Etiquette in Indonesia



In my travel to Bali, Indonesia I found this one relaxing restaurant right by the crystal clear blue waters. As I walk into this restaurant; called Dragonfly I saw many delicious dishes with silky steam coming off the plates. When I walked up to the front desk, they escorted my to the tables on top of the roof. I asked the lady if I could please sit by the window glass of the ocean. I had heard many good things about this place, and to remember to burp at the end of the meal to show it was delicious and also to show the chief some respect. I had something I still deeply regret to this day! While waiting for my food to come I was watching the yellow-green trees swaying in the wind, and the buttery-yellow sun trying to set in the distance. When my food had came, it smelled so good! All the different wefts of, steamed vegetables, barbequed Balinese ribs, and all different dishes of rice. As I took my first bite it was so mouth watering, like something you have craved for the longest time and had finally tasted it. I was starting to finish up my plate, when everyone was starting to turn around and look at me and my now empty plate that I remembered. I had stupidly forgotten to burp at the end of my meal! I suppose eating at restaurants back in San Diego did not prepare me at all for dining in a restaurant in Bali. After all, if you want respect in Bali or any Indonesian restaurant, you have to show respect to the cook by burping. Otherwise, in San Diego it is considered disrespectful and a rude outburst to other diners.

1 comment:

  1. Great use of colors Bridgette!

    Burping seems so rude to us, so it would be a very conscious play of etiquette. What if a burp doesn't come naturally? Swallow air and fake one? I find myself wondering if they belt it out or cover their mouths.

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