Shopping in Singapore<\/p>\n
Although it is probably a sin to find the misfortunes of
\nothers a source of amusement, I could not contain my smile as I
\nread Mrs. Fauzia's letter on Aug. 26 complaining at the way she
\nwas cheated during her shopping spree in Singapore.<\/p>\n
I too had reason to visit Singapore recently and found the
\nexperience refreshingly different from Jakarta. I was not
\nharassed by vendors attempting to sell me all kinds of things at
\ngrossly inflated prices, nor was I insulted by disreputable
\nyouths as I window shopped along Orchard Road. Cars did not
\nattempt to mow me down as I crossed over zebra crossings and the
\nstreets were spotlessly clean and free of rodents and rubbish.
\nPrices were clearly marked, shop assistants were informed,
\nattentive and friendly.<\/p>\n
As a foreigner living in Jakarta, the Singapore experience was
\nsublime. I, like many other foreigners living here, am used to
\nbeing overcharged on an almost daily basis because vendors,
\nmistakenly believing that I am a tourist, will universally
\nattempt to relieve me of my money by doubling the cost of their
\nmerchandise. Usually a gentle rebuke is enough to inform the
\noffending opportunist that he or she is dealing with someone who
\nis aware of the real price and a more appropriate figure is
\nagreed upon.<\/p>\n
I have to admit that when I first arrived in Jakarta, my
\noutrage at being continually cheated was greater than that
\nexpressed by Mrs. Fauzia but, as time went on, I became used to
\nthis petty larceny and I no longer feel that my intelligence is
\nbeing insulted. It is too stressful an emotion and in any case I
\nhave a higher regard for my own intellect than those who seek to
\ncheat me. I have therefore adjusted my way of thinking so that
\nnow I only find it irritatingly amusing when dealing with them.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, tourists visiting Indonesia rarely have enough
\ntime to adopt any attitude other than that of outrage at being
\nsystematically overcharged and return to their own countries with
\ntales of the dishonesty they have encountered here. Lamentably,
\nin the retelling of their stories of mistreatment, all
\nIndonesians are tarred with the same brush, perhaps unfairly so.
\nThis is causing untold damage to Indonesia's attempt at
\ndeveloping its tourist industry and is partly responsible for
\nIndonesia's poor image abroad.<\/p>\n
Indonesians traveling abroad should arm themselves with
\ninformation about the countries they are about to visit. Duty
\nfree shops will almost always have lower prices for luxury items
\nthan those found on high streets. Duty free, as the name suggest,
\nmeans you don't pay tax, hence the lower price for perfume quoted
\nby your aggrieved contributor.<\/p>\n
As a final note to Mrs. Fauzia, by way of apology for my
\nunwarranted mirth, it might be some consolation for you to know
\nthat you have been avenged a thousandfold for your misfortune by
\nyour own people who have undoubtedly relieved untold numbers of
\nunsuspecting tourists of their hard earned money in the time that
\nit has taken me to pen this letter.<\/p>\n
Should this fail to mollify you, I suggest that you look upon
\nyour experience more philosophically. It is impossible to change
\nhuman nature. Look upon your losses as a sort of wealth tax. I
\ndo.<\/p>\n
R. GULLIVER<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shopping-in-singapore-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }