People to people (3)<\/p>\n
I must strongly disagree with Mr. Gliwitzki and Mr. Law
\nregarding their negative interpretation of the locals' \"hello
\nmister\" greeting. I have lived in Jakarta one year, and have made
\nit a point to visit and shop in the areas where the local
\nresidents frequent. I have taken Indonesian language classes and
\nhave detected no \"intricacy\" or subtle meaning in these simple
\nand universal words. I have lived in Pondok Indah and the Kemang
\narea. In both areas, I have frequently passed numerous
\nIndonesians and exchanged greetings while out jogging. Always,
\nwithout exception, their greetings were friendly and I discerned
\nthat they were pleased when I returned their greetings.<\/p>\n
They were even more grateful when I greeted them first, or if
\nI engaged in conversations with them. I vividly remember jogging
\nat night past a group of scruffy looking males, a situation in
\nthe States that would be a recipe for a quick mugging in big
\ncities. A little \"Hello\" and they were falling over themselves to
\nspeak what little English they knew.<\/p>\n
They have been shunned so often in the past, even by their own
\ncountrymen who have \"made it\" and now lord it over them.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian people are a people who stress the family and
\nthe community. Within two days of my moving to Kemang, my maid
\nknew all the local residents and gossip, including that
\nconcerning the western single male living two blocks away who had
\na revolving door of local women visiting him. My impression is
\nthat they are curious and in awe of westerners, who are so tall
\nand always live in the big houses. Almost all of them, for the
\nduration of their lives, will never rise above subsistence level.
\nMy wife and I attended a local wedding, and we inevitably were
\nthe center of attention. Even at a funeral, we were given special
\nconsideration.<\/p>\n
A greeting in any country requires a response (unless from a
\nstrange male to a female), especially if you are a guest in that
\ncountry. If they contain negative connotations, let them roll off
\nyour back; they do more damage to the greeter's psyche than to
\nyou. No one can fault you for trying to be friendly.<\/p>\n
AL PARKES<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/people-to-people-3-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }