A single female's story

A single female's story

I have been coming to Indonesia since I was 15 and staying for
significant periods of time, usually as a student. I am now 23
and dearly love Indonesia for all its variety and contrasts.
However I am finding it increasingly difficult to live here as a
"Single White Female" (SWF). I realize many Indonesian men who
understand that not all SWFs are what they seem to be on TV, but
there is a significant number who do think characters like
90210's Valerie, Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct, or Melrose
Place's numerous vixens do accurately and realistically portray
SWF's as they are. I assure all those who have this misconception
that this is not the case. Such programs are designed to
entertain, which the norm certainly does not! It is because of
these characters' abnormal behavior that these programs are so
entertaining.

While I dress conservatively, covering my arms and legs, am
not loud or aggressive and never "lead anyone on", I have had to
endure a number of situations I would have rather not have
experienced. It would seem that nonton dan makan malam (go to the
movies and dine) with a SWF is mistaken as a tradeoff for sex. I
assure all those who think this is the case that they are
entirely wrong.

I have also to endure Peeping Toms, a landlord who thought I
was his own private bank, a taxi driver who hit me in the arm
until I paid him compensation for something I had nothing to do
with, and now I have a number of men who have discovered I live
by myself and have somehow obtained my number and name and insist
on calling me at strange hours of the night.

I love Indonesia and will continue to do so but I can no
longer bear such misunderstandings and the behavior this produces
towards SWFs. I have spoken to many other SWFs here and all
have expressed similar feelings and have similar stories to tell.

L. WORTH

Jakarta