On demeaning attitude<\/p>\n
I refer to Mrs. Ardie's letter which appeared in The Jakarta
\nPost on Sept. 28, 2000 titled Demeaning attitude.<\/p>\n
Ibu Ardie, you are not by chance a North American, are you? If
\nyou are, this will help to explain your non-understanding of
\nIndonesian humor. The Indonesians together with the British have
\nthis very annoying habit of making jokes at their own expense.
\nThere is even an expression for it \"Taking the mickey\", there is
\nanother, which is probably too distasteful for your sensitive
\nnature, so I will tone it down a bit \"Extracting the urine\".<\/p>\n
This type of humor, which you appear to find distasteful, is
\nreally a reflection of a race's ability to laugh at itself. It
\nsignifies their friendly disposition and ability in not taking
\nthemselves too seriously -- something that the majority of North
\nAmericans, in my opinion anyway, are unable to do. North
\nAmericans are the world leaders in intenseness and political
\ncorrectness -- which you're now trying to foist on all the other
\nnations.<\/p>\n
Ibu Ardie, I am sure that you are a very nice and well-
\nintentioned lady and an excellent mother to your four children.
\nYour letter makes you appear very pompous. Methinks that you are
\ntaking your role as Chairman of the Board -- International
\nCommunity Activities Centre (note the English spelling) Jakarta a
\nlittle too seriously. Relax a little ma'am, undo a few hooks on
\nyour corsets or something.<\/p>\n
GEOFF HAMILTON<\/p>\n
Bogor, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-demeaning-attitude-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }