Attitude and morals

I thought there was something awkward about the letter titled Attitude of Jakartans today (The Jakarta Post, June 28, 2001).

First, the writer is male, his name is Bambang Sudirman. He wrote: "Not a single passenger got off the bus to help push start it. I wonder what kept them rooted to their seats ... " Now, I was wondering what the writer doing himself? Couldn't he have set an example by taking the initiative to show what gotong royong (teamwork) is by giving the bus a "little push".

So why didn't anyone do so? It certainly wasn't bad attitude, but just the risk of losing one's seat as soon as one leaves it. As a Dutch proverb says, Opgestaan is plaats vergaan (once you get up, you lose your seat).

Wasn't that also why Pak Bambang was himself "rooted to his seat"? Had this happened in a less crowded bus, it would have been different. Everybody would have voluntarily got off to help push start the bus, being sure they could return to their respective seats.

But don't worry, no matter how hard or cruel this may seem, it is part of living in a metropolis, be it in Jakarta, New York, London, Paris or elsewhere.

Once I was in my car, parked outside a store while my friend was inside shopping. I saw two suspicious-looking men coming out of the store carrying a valise. I thought they might have stolen the merchandise. I told my friend what I had seen. I said: "Shouldn't we tell the store owner about it?" His answer: "Never get involved or you will be the next victim".

So what I am trying to say is contribute, do what you can, but if you want to live in a big city, don't overdo it.

The desire to help is there, but sometimes the situation is not conducive.

NETTY MULIA

Jakarta