Courtesy needed at embassy<\/p>\n
Many of us Indonesians, at one point or another, have
\nexperienced having to deal with foreign embassies in Jakarta. It
\nis really interesting, especially in the Visa Section, where
\ninteraction is mainly through Indonesian staff working for the
\nembassy.<\/p>\n
Notwithstanding the rules and regulations which apply within
\nthe embassy compound, the service extended by the Indonesian
\nstaff towards the public leaves a lot to be desired.<\/p>\n
I will mention a specific incident, but bear in mind that not
\nall embassies have the same service level. From several sources
\nthough, the Dutch Embassy should take this criticism into
\nconsideration.<\/p>\n
After calling to make an appointment (otherwise the request
\nwill be ignored), I was told that the document I needed was ready
\nand that I could pick it up at a specific hour. I reconfirmed
\nthis appointment. I had to wait close to 45 minutes at the
\nbullet-proof pigeon-hole to pick up my document. I wonder why?
\nIndeed, some people can wait patiently, but there are others who
\nare on a tight schedule -- like me, on that day.<\/p>\n
What is really irritating is to see how the Indonesian staff
\nhandle the administration of the place. I'm trying to be fair. I
\ncan tolerate standing in line, waiting my turn, and then endure a
\nsour-faced Indonesian who probably had a bad day. What I cannot
\ntake is the fact that as soon as a bule walks in, the staff turns
\ninto all smiles, become perfectly courteous with a fluency in
\nDutch which is second to none -- even by Dutch standards -- and
\ncompletely ignore us Indonesians.<\/p>\n
Indonesians are taught sopan-santun at a very early age. The
\ngood fortune (or bad?) of some people to work at a foreign
\nembassy does not give them the right to waive sopan-santun from
\ntheir lives.<\/p>\n
I strongly suggest that the Dutch embassy conduct a crash
\ncourse in courtesy for their Indonesian staff.<\/p>\n
G. L. ROSENO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/courtesy-needed-at-embassy-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }