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• It can be a good conversation starter to inquire about one’s place of birth, family background and what languages your East Timorese counterpart knows. East Timorese are generally proud of their heritage and are often happy to share personal knowledge about these areas.
• Show respect to those who are older than yourself or those who hold a high social status, such as the local authority figure of the community.
• Try to keep discussions harmonious and polite. Pay attention to the tone and body language of your East Timorese counterpart, ask open-ended questions, and show signs of interest and approval.
• Show respect towards the Catholic Church and the Christian beliefs and practices your East Timorese counterpart may follow. Timor-Leste’s history is deeply connected to the religious tradition, and being disrespectful may cause great offence.
• Consider how you dress and present yourself. East Timorese tend to dress modestly and conservatively. It is important to dress in a respectful manner, particularly when entering formal spaces such as a church.
• Be patient and accepting towards the East Timorese approach to time. Often referred to as ‘rubber time’, most East Timorese prioritise interpersonal relationships over time keeping. As such, time is seen as flexible and punctuality is not always stressed.

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• Try not to be overly critical or blunt in your expressions. Instead, approach criticism or confrontation with sensitivity and in a private setting. East Timorese often prioritise harmony, and thus prefer to discuss disagreements in private.
• Be mindful and respectful of the way the history of Timor-Leste is discussed. The political and societal transitions of Timor-Leste throughout the 20th and 21st century continue to impact the country and its people.
• Similarly, avoid discussing Indonesia’s occupation of Timor-Leste unless your East Timorese acquaintance is comfortable with the conversation topic. Though there is limited international awareness of East Timorese political struggles, the period between post-colonisation up to Indonesia’s withdrawal from the country (1975-1999) is one of the worst losses of life per capita in the 20th century.¹ As such, many East Timorese have lost family or friends through conflict-related causes (see Major Historical and Political Transitions in Core Concepts).
• Avoid framing East Timorese as entirely ‘powerless’ or ‘helpless’ victims in their political or socioeconomic struggles of the past and present. While the collective experiences of disempowerment, struggle and loss should not be understated, such perceptions may discount the adaptability and resilience of East Timorese.
• Avoid assuming that East Timorese culture is homogeneous. Timor-Leste is home to over 30 ethno-linguistic groups. Though there are similarities across these cultures, many have their own cultural traditions and customs that continue to be practised and celebrated.