Culture shocks after moving to Bali a few years ago

[@linneaandtom]

What culture differences did you find? 😊

[@zvein9866]

I liked this video! This Balitime is so true!! 😂

[@linneaandtom]

Hahaha yes 😂

[@ritasundh]

Hey Linnea. As a Swede, I am with you, but as twice your age, I only celebrate big birthdays like 50, 60 and 70 and only with my immediate family. I have been to Bali since 2002 and 28 times. I have my Balinese family that I hang out with, mostly my friend Oka and sometimes his daughters 16 and 22 years old. I meet the rest of the family at their home in the village. Oka needed a Passport 10 years ago and had to specify his exact age. The daughters have exactly the dates they were born on, which I know at least. Oka's mother does not know when she was born but is probably between 85 and 90 years old. Oka works as a Tourist Guide and must be on time when he works. When we are to meet, he always tries to let me know if he is late, especially if we are going on a Day Trip with our car and more people are going with us. If only we are to meet, it may vary when he or they come but they always announce or I call them and hear if they are going to be late.

[@linneaandtom]

So interesting!

[@gracieg1490]

Hey! My partner is from Indonesia and I’m from Australia. And in the beginning of our relationship we were in Bali and meeting his friends for dinner at 7. It was 6 “we should start to get ready” “nah not yet” It was 6:30 “I’m ready des, you should get ready” “nah not yet” It was 7:30 “we have to go des” “nahhh let’s go later and somewhere else” We didn’t message them to say we were not coming Hahaha! I went crazy that night 🤪🤪

[@linneaandtom]

HAHAHAHAH 😂

[@elsienorback7689]

In America I arrive when I say I will arrive because it’s disrespectful and will make others worry if I am late. When I am running late, I text and notify them.

[@elsienorback7689]

Local time is different than western time. When they say they will show up it means between 7:00 and the end of evening. Lol. Westerners watch the clock and stick to timeframes that they say, Balinese time is give or take a few hours.

[@linneaandtom]

Yes so true 😄

[@amandakeats4871]

I completely understand the differences. I’ve lived through them too and I found them to be very frustrating. There’s nothing like Bali time 🤣 Very unusual for Tom to not be married to a local with children by late 30’s.

[@linneaandtom]

Haha yes 😄 he has been married and have 2 kids 😊 We are close with them and they live nearby us, I just dont involve them on my social media 😊

[@amandakeats4871]

@@linneaandtom I thought that may be the case. I know Bali culture well and your story highlighted some of the main differences. Pleased the family remain close to you both.

[@linneaandtom]

Yes, he was quite ”old” though when he had his first kid. Since 30, is old to have kids for being in Bali 😄 and yes Im very happy that we all are close 😊

[@yuliusichsan537]

ha ha ha do not be shocked Linnea

[@linneaandtom]

😄😂

[@elsienorback7689]

I’m American and my birthday was never celebrated as I grew up. Nor did others in my family, siblings. We celebrated holidays but as I got older it became less Relevant.

[@linneaandtom]

Oh really, do you celibrate your birthday when you go older?

[@nagawahyudi]

@@linneaandtom they hate to remind that they getting older that's why they hate birthday

[@nyomanraiartaguna5030]

How you feel when your hubby just switch from english to balinese or indonesia when he talk to his friend in front of you lol.

[@linneaandtom]

Well I mean sometimes it can be a bit hard especially in the beginning when I didnt know a lot of people, but now I feel ok with it 😊

[@nickiholtham3623]

My partner is 37ish and the same. ID Card says a date but that could be give or take a few months or ? Saying yes so as not to disappoint 😩 and then time not being of any value 🤣 pretty sure His 34th was first ever birthday cake although the children now seem to celebrate their birthdays with parties . This also stems back to cultural belief that in life god comes first, then family and village with self last. So celebrating own birthday would have been seen to be a little self entitled. However time moves on and they will take the worst of our western culture

[@linneaandtom]

Sounds about the same 😄

[@home2223]

Age 40 no child

[@linneaandtom]

Tom has 2 kids for his first marrige, we are close with them but I just dont include them on my social media 😊