Since tourism began, Bali has been in contact with the West. Its Hindu culture and customs have remained intact in spite of western influences and being part of a largely Moslem country The Indonesians as a whole are very proud of their traditions and customs and they usually stick to strict codes of conduct. The visitor should try to accept the differences and try to adapt to them, when appropriate.

Balinese society has a number of different lev­els and some would even say like all Asian societies, it is highly stratified. There is an underlying respect for elders and for people of a higher caste of greater wealth and social status. Balinese also differs when speaking to people of different stand­ing. The safest way for visitors when addressing people, except for children, is to use Ibu for women, which means Mrs., madam or mother and to use Bapak Mr., Sir or father for men.
Greeting someone for the t and subsequent times has on a western trait, that of nags hands. The traditional notation however, is the Asian mbah" with fingers joined hands clasped together at level. It is practiced on ndu festivals and one can say M Swastyastu," may peace be h you. There is also the incense wink for informal rings between the best of hiends. Love emotions are never displayed in public, except the casional hand holding of young lovers. Never kiss or hug 9nyone except the very best of friends and only on rare occa­sions.
Smiling is a universal way of communicating or at least breaking the ice. For the Balinese it is no different. In Bali it is always the group that matters not the individual, so be sure to smile broadly and wide­ly. Balinese women are as eager to smile as the men but do not mistake the smile of friendliness for something it is not.
Physical communication is however important to the Balinese and should not be mis­understood. You will often see children and adults of the same sex huddled against each other and walking along holding hands. Contrary to what some visitor may think this has no sexual connotations.
People maybe physical in social interaction yet there are rules that apply. The body has its pure and impure parts, which define a whole set of behaviors. The navel down­wards is the impure part, being in closest contact with the earth and earthly desires. It is consid­ered very insulting to point at something with your feet.
However, when you go in someone's house you expected to take off your she yet it is not acceptable to w open sandals in governm offices.
The middle body is neutral and in earlier years the Balin women were largely bare brew ed. Modern pressures and dress now considers this to be 1 than proper. You may see people bathing nude in a this however and this is accepter practice. Nudity is not frown upon unless it is ostentation displayed, so exercise rest ' on the beaches.