{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1012718,
        "msgid": "politeness-1447899208",
        "date": "1994-10-25 00:00:00",
        "title": "Politeness",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Politeness Like Amy Oravec (On politeness, The Jakarta Post, Oct. 19, 1994), I, too, am an American woman living in Jakarta. I, too, am sometimes (not \"constantly\" -- there is a big difference!) stared at by Indonesians. (Is it my streaked gray hair? My height and stature? Is my slip showing?). Although this apparent scrutiny was initially uncomfortable for me, I realized that I also stare at Indonesians! I am fascinated by the diverse facial characteristics and rich skin tones.",
        "content": "<p>Politeness<\/p>\n<p>Like Amy Oravec (On politeness, The Jakarta Post, Oct. 19,<br>\n1994), I, too, am an American woman living in Jakarta. I, too, am<br>\nsometimes (not &quot;constantly&quot; -- there is a big difference!) stared<br>\nat by Indonesians. (Is it my streaked gray hair? My height and<br>\nstature? Is my slip showing?). Although this apparent scrutiny<br>\nwas initially uncomfortable for me, I realized that I also stare<br>\nat Indonesians! I am fascinated by the diverse facial<br>\ncharacteristics and rich skin tones. I marvel at the magnificent<br>\nheads of usually jet-black hair! The warm, dark eyes often mirror<br>\nmy own curiosity and interest. I smile a lot, and often I&apos;m<br>\nsmiling in response to the smile or nodded greeting of an<br>\nIndonesian.<\/p>\n<p>As for the oft-repeated &quot;Hello, Mister!&quot; I find it usually is<br>\nuttered by a child or a young adult, and I feel pretty sure that<br>\nmost of them know they are speaking in error. To me, it is simply<br>\na benign, friendly greeting game. I sometimes counter with Pagi,<br>\nIbu! (Good morning, Madam) to a male child, which elicit peals of<br>\ndelighted laughter. Or, I explain that Saya Mrs., bukan Mister<br>\n(I&apos;m a Mrs., not a Mister). And, I smile.<\/p>\n<p>I can honestly say I have never been treated with anything but<br>\ncourtesy throughout the parts of Indonesia I&apos;ve visited: Java,<br>\nSumatra, Bali, Lombok, Kalimantan, Pulau Seribu. I am genuinely<br>\nsaddened by Ms. Oravec experience, and I hopes she encounters<br>\npeople who can help make her perceptions more positive. I&apos;d be<br>\nglad to spend some time with her exploring ways to make her stay<br>\nhere more enjoyable. (I know some Indonesians who would probably<br>\ndo the same thing). Perhaps she could drop by ICAC (International<br>\nCommunity Activity Center) on Jl. Kemang Raya and visit the<br>\nNewcomers&apos; Center. I think she might meet some very friendly,<br>\ncaring international people there.<\/p>\n<p>TONI HARDY<\/p>\n<p>Jakarta<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/politeness-1447899208",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}