Dealing with hassle
Learn the Indonesian you need to deal with difficult situations
I often think that it is unfortunate that many people visiting Indonesia get their impressions of the country while travelling around. Bus depots and railway stations often attract the worst kind of people - thieves, con artists and even bullies. Women friends have even been pushed around by men at bus stations. Of course, the nicest people in Indonesia aren't nearly as pushy or as desperate to get close to you, so you often meet more of the wrong kind of people.
A little bit of Indonesian can go a long way to persuading people that you know the country and are not a push-over. The most important words you need to know are Nggak Mau - I don't want it and Nggak usah - no need for it. The nggak is both more informal and stronger than Tidak.
| Don’t bother me | Jangan ganggu saya |
| I don’t want to be bothered.
(Use saya not aku - saya has greater emphasis.) |
Saya tidak mau diganggu |
| I already have a hotel. (Lit. I already be hotel.) | Saya sudah ada hotel |
| I have already booked a hotel. | Saya sudah pesan hotel |
| I don’t need a taxi/pedicab/hotel | Saya tidak perlu taksi/becak/hotel |
| Don't talk to me! | Jangan bicara sama saya! |
| Don’t touch me! | Jangan pegang aku! |
| Watch out (can be used to warn people, but also to threaten) | Awas |
| I will call the police. | Saya akan panggil polisi – I will call the police |
| Don't mess around with me! | Jangan macam – macam sama saya! |
| Scam | Penipuan |
| Con merchant | Penipu |
| Don't try to rip me off! | Jangan menipu/tipu saya |
| Saya ditipu | I've been/ I'm being ripped off |