18 April 2023 , 13:31
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A good behaviour guidebook will list the dos and don'ts for tourists visiting Bali.
In recent months the Indonesian island has played host to a number of visitors who have stepped over the line of local social convention.
In February a tourist sparked outrage after mooning on top of a sacred mountain, Mount Agung, appalling locals in the process.
The unnamed Russian man dropped his trousers and pants to pose for a photo atop the revered stony outcrop.
Last year, Canadian actor Jeffrey Douglas Craigen sparked outrage after a video of him dancing naked on Mount Batur went viral.
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The tourist has provoked outraged by dropping trou on top of the mountain (Jam Press)The following month, Russian yoga influencer Alina Fazleeva landed herself in hot water after posing naked at a 700-year-old sacred tree in Bali.
Soon Western visitors to the island will be given a 'guidebook' with instructions on how to dress and act while visiting the holiday hotspot.
Head of Bali's Regional Office of Ministry of Law and Human Rights Anggiat Napitupulu has announced plans for a 'good tourist guidebook'.
The book will include an introduction to Balinese culture and customs, as well as a guide to the island's road rules.
The latter may be particularly useful for the many visitors who decide to ignore the advice of their parents and hire a moped to whizz around Bali.
Jeffrey Douglas Craigen sparked outrage after a video of him dancing naked on Mount Batur went viral (Jam Press)The manual will also give tourists instructions on how to dress and behave in sacred sites and cultural landmarks on the island.
"It needs to be known that not all foreigners know what things are allowed and not allowed in Bali," Mr Napitupulu said, The Bali Sun reported. "We hope to accelerate the completion of the guidebook or guidance book."
The announcement comes after Bali Tourism Board Chairman Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana announced plans for an educational billboard campaign.
The billboards will have instructions and advice written in English on how to dress and act properly.
While Bali is a big holiday destination and attracts 2.1million tourists a year, its local customs are quite different to those of the origin countries of many of its visitors.
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More than two million people are attracted to Bali's natural wonders each year (Getty Images/iStockphoto)It is considered rude to point in Indonesian culture, while touching the head of a Balinese adult or child is best avoided as the head is considered the core of the soul.
Removing your shoes if you enter someone's home or when being asked to do so is advised.
Also, losing your tempter is potentially a bigger deal in Indonesia than in other countries.
"People speak cordially, rarely bringing any display of emotions into their conversations," reports International Living..
"Because the Balinese dislike any form of confrontation, they use their smile to keep the situation calm. You will often find that a Balinese person will laugh rather than argue with you. They’re not dismissing you—they really don’t like any conflict."