Modern greetings send mixed messages<\/p>\n
Two women rush to give each other a big hug, simultaneously
\nuttering the greeting, "Minal aidin, ya!"<\/p>\n
And their shared response comes almost in unison, "Sama-sama"
\n(You, too!).<\/p>\n
Minal aidin wal faidzin actually means "from the battle and
\nwith victory". This expresses the victory achieved by Muslims
\nafter fighting hunger, thirst and temptation during the fasting
\nmonth of Ramadhan. Most people here mistakenly use it as though
\nit means "mohon maaf lahir dan bathin" (forgive me
\nwholeheartedly).<\/p>\n
It's not the only greeting that is garbled in the way we use
\nit.<\/p>\n
Another one that is usually used in the wrong way is
\n"dirgahayu", which literally means "long life!". It is usually
\nuttered on anniversaries to wish that someone, or an institution,
\na long future; "Dirgahayu Indonesia" is an expression to wish
\nthis country survives.<\/p>\n
But look at the banners posted to welcome Independence Day or
\nJakarta's anniversary. This expression is printed in various
\nforms. "Dirgahayu Indonesia ke 55 (Long live 55-year old
\nIndonesia) or "Dirgahayu ulang tahun RI ke 55 (Long live the 55th
\nanniversary of the Republic of Indonesia) are the most common
\ngreetings on the banners in front of buildings or on pedestrian
\nbridges. When you think about it, both are wrong.<\/p>\n
I was recently annoyed by the number of e-mails in my inbox,
\nsome containing Idul Fitri greetings and others expressing
\nChristmas wishes. Those greetings came not only from my friends
\nand relatives, but also from those with whom I have never crossed
\npaths.<\/p>\n
Not that I dislike greetings -- I love it when people wish me
\nhappiness. But, come on, nobody celebrates both religious
\nholidays, and receiving greetings from someone you don't know
\njust leaves you feeling uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
"That's what modernity has done," commented Dave, my American
\ncolleague who also received some Idul Fitri greetings in his
\ninbox. "Nowadays people are too busy to buy cards and write the
\naddresses of friends and relatives personally.<\/p>\n
"They leave that job to the machines. All they do is forward
\neach greeting they receive to all addresses listed in their
\nfolders without bothering to select which greeting should go to
\nwhom."<\/p>\n
I recall the old times before the Internet and e-mail were
\ninvented. One month before the holidays, I used to start shopping
\nfor gifts and cards. I would write the addresses and sign the
\ncards personally. And, when I received cards, I checked them
\ncarefully and excitedly. I even kept the cards for years. It
\nbrought such loving memories.<\/p>\n
Marianne Parasiuk, a reader living in Australia, once
\nexpressed her feeling about Christmas cards.<\/p>\n
"Sending cards might be an ancient thing to do, what with the
\ninvention of modern means of communications such as the
\ntelephone, the Internet, SMS and all that. But cards carry a lot
\nof messages. It is an exciting process, selecting, buying,
\nwriting and sending."<\/p>\n
Sending greetings by e-mail, however, is more convenient than
\nsending cards today. And it saves on costs. You do not have to
\nwaste time going to the stores, selecting a big pile of cards,
\nand spending a handsome amount of money.<\/p>\n
"It is also environmentally friendly," says Anthony Sumampouw,
\nan expert in information technology. "If everyone in the world
\nsent e-cards instead of conventional cards we would save a
\ntremendous amount of paper and, in turn, save tropical forests.
\nFrom the Internet, you can download greeting cards free of
\ncharge. And, sending it is easier. Within seconds, the greeting
\nwill arrive at its destination in good shape."<\/p>\n
"In good shape?" snorted Miana in response. "I do not open all
\nthe e-cards I receive as they cause me trouble. Most of them come
\nin large documents that exceed your storage capacity. And it
\ntakes a long time to download them one by one, especially if you
\ndon't have a direct connection. Think about the phone bills you
\nhave to pay. So, I usually delete them without opening. I know
\nthe content anyway."<\/p>\n
So, modernity is not all magic. A new means of sending
\ngreetings should be invented. Something that is convenient, but
\nalso has a personal touch and is environmentally friendly. Anyone
\nwho comes up with a solution to this idea is sure to have his or
\nher future made.<\/p>\n
-- Carl Chairul<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/modern-greetings-send-mixed-messages-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }