Discovering new countries can present numerous challenges due to varying cultural norms. We hope these tips encourage more foreign visitors to get out into the local community and take home some memorable experiences.

Smile

Smiling in Indonesia is a vital cultural gesture representing friendliness, respect and social harmony. Too many foreign visitors get around with a permanent frown on their faces which leaves the locals thinking foreign tourists are a miserable and unfriendly bunch. We highly recommended you make an effort to share a smile with the locals.

Respect local custom

Dressing appropriately and respecting local custom is a necessary part of exploring the local community without encountering a hostile reception.

Know the value of IDR 30,000

A good wage in the Krui area is IDR 30,000 per day (approx AUD $2.60). Many people work 9hrs a day 6 days a week for such a wage. Putting this into perspective: the taxi fare from Bandar Lampung to Krui is worth 3 months rent on a family house and 4 Bintangs is worth more than many peoples weekly wage. Given this context no matter how rich or poor you may be in your home country as a foreign tourist in Sumatra you will always be considered a very wealthy person.

Shopping around Krui

The bottom line is there is virtually nothing for a tourist to buy in the Krui area. No shopping malls, no markets full of souvenirs, no funky cafe / restaurant society. The Krui shopping experience occurs almost exclusively at the local market where the necessities of daily life are sold. With nowhere to go and nothing to buy foreign tourists seldom venture onto the streets of Krui town or visit the local markets. This is an unfortunate situation because there is so much more to take home than what you can stuff in your suitcase or backpack.

Shopping tips:

Always ask the price

Not asking the price before you purchase indicates to the merchant you're so wealthy price means nothing to you. Encourage this belief and expect to be charged an amount that could make your eyes water. Whether a price was agreed on or not you will not be leaving the establishment until you pay for the goods or service you recieved.

Always check your change

Check your change as soon as you receive it. It's common for foreign tourists to be short changed for large amounts and too late once you have placed your change in your pocket or left the counter.

Confirming what you are paying for

Make sure you know exactly what you are paying for. In Indonesia the product or service you are purchasing may not include what you are expecting. Example: At the end of a 30 day holiday you don't want to discover the nightly tariff on your double bed room was per person.

Written confirmation of the price

If your making a large purchase ask the merchant to write down the price. One young inexperienced German couple accepted a price the tourist operator literally wrote in the sands of Lake Toba beach. That mistake cost them €100 and turned their fun day out into a bitter memory.

Bargaining

Bargaining is a part of Indonesian life but you need to follow some common 'rules'. A foreigner's first challenge will be the language barrier as most Krui merchants only speak Bahasa Indonesia. So you might need to brush up on your shopping phrases and counting before you head to the local market.

• Make sure you have lots of small bank notes. Many merchants don't have change for an IDR 100,000 note.
• If you don't intend to make a purchase don't start to bargain a price.
• Do not bargain in shopping malls and stores with fixed prices.
• If you don't know the usual price of the item don't even start bargaining. The merchant may take offense at an offer that's too low.
• Approach your negotiation with a smile and in a light hearted friendly manner.
• To start the bargaining process, first ask the vendor the price of the item ("Berapa Harganya?"). After the merchant has given you the price you can ask if the price can be reduced ("Kurang harga?").
• In the Krui area it's not uncommon for foreign tourist to be met with a very rude reception when bargaining a price. If this happens just politely walk away.

Be prepared for the inevitable

Even after learning all the do's and don'ts you'll eventually get ripped off in a manner that leaves you speechless. You agreed on a price, the merchant bagged the goods and is now demanding twice the agreed price? Disagree or walk away and you will probably find the merchant shouting "Pelit !, Pelit !" (Cheap Ass) at you. After 15 years of visiting the area our advice is just see it as all part of the experience.

Being generous

Being generous is a good thing. Being overly generous can invite all sorts of trouble and almost certainly lead to unplesant experiences. Be sure your generosity is not creating unsustainable expectations

Being generous to one person, business or family can lead to animosity within the local community. There are good reasons that it's illegal in Indonesia for a foreigner to assist a local business unless they are in a legal partnership.

Loaning money in Indonesia

You may be caught off guard when a perfect stranger or someone you just met in the Krui area asks to borrow money and pay it back later. They are really asking you to give them the money. If you are even considering entering into such an arrangement I highly recommend you read this enlightening article borrowing money in Indonesian.

Gotong Royong

Gotong Royong is a core Indonesian cultural concept meaning "mutual assistance" or "working together for the common good". But for a foreign visitor who doesn't gain from social inclusion Gotong Royong could seem like a one-way street rather than reciprocal exchange. You'll see the idea in action everywhere you look if you become conscious of it.

Don't encourage theft

Theft has always been a big issue in the Krui area. 2026 is seeing another increase in incidents around Tanjung Setia and Way Jambu. The north end of Mandiri around Lintik has become notorious for scooters having batteries and parts stripped off them in the short period of a surf session.

Pesisir Barat is the 4th most poverty stricken district in Lampung and there is a wealth of evidence that links poverty and petty crime in West Lampung.

By adequately protecting your valuables you may also be protecting a desperate person from engaging in petty crime.

  Be warned it is not safe to leave anything in your scooter as the storage compartment is easily opened even when locked.

Want to buy a resort?

You might get a real surprise when a complete stranger asks if you want to buy a piece of land or resort. Be extremely cautious of such offers. You don't want to join the growing list of foreigners who have seen tens of thousands of dollars disappear into thin air.

The bottom line is that a foreigner cannot own land in Indonesia. They can only enter into a land deal with an Indonesian partner. The partner will always own the land. If you are genuinely interested in entering into such negotiations we advise you engage a reputable law firm from Jakarta.

Want to buy a scooter?

A foreigner cannot own a scooter without the correct visa to allow such a purchase. When purchasing a scooter you should recieve 2 pieces of paper work with details of the owner and vehicle registrant. Without such a visa and ownership paperwork your scooter can be confiscated by the original owner or the police. Selling stolen motorbikes is a big well organized business in Indonesia.