Balinese hawkers cater to every international demand
Balinese hawkers cater to every international demand
DENPASAR (JP): "Look look, okay? Buy me sir?" one used to hear a woman say.
She was not selling herself, but rather a Balinese wooden sculpture. Unfortunately, she chose three words that could easily be misinterpreted.
Buy Me Sir was the most popular phrase used by Balinese traders around 10 years ago. Today, they are simply a footnote in the history of Balinese commerce.
"Today all hawkers speak fluent English. They can even speak Italian, Spanish, German and Japanese," said Wayan Suditha, a souvenir trader in Seminyak near Kuta.
"Soon they may be using Chinese to lure Taiwanese and Hong Kong tourists," he added.
Indeed, Balinese hawkers are way ahead of their counterparts in other Indonesian cities. Apart from having mastered certain basic phrases like Good Day, Bonjour, Gutten Tag and Konnichiwa, they have an amazing entrepreneurial spirit. The combination is critical to luring foreign tourists, who are their biggest source of revenue.
Take Wayan Suditha. In the Buy Me Sir era he was just a hawker around Kuta. Today, he is a businessman and expert in export- related affairs and computerized accounting.
"Ada gula ada semut," he said, citing an Indonesian proverb which means like ants to sugar.
"As long as tourists are abundant, I will not stay still. I will not let this opportunity pass, otherwise only non-Balinese will profit from the influx of tourists."
Tourism has transformed the face of the island. During the Buy Me Sir era souvenir shops were shabby kiosks; now they are tastefully designed, air conditioned and accept credit cards.
Bali has been a destination for international tourists for decades. One American tourist in 1935 observed, "Every week, two K.P.M. boats bring more enterprising visitors that stay for three days or even for a week or two."
Balinese hawkers have long made the most of the island's good fortune and are now aware of the need for a more sophisticated approach. When the next batch of tourists arrives, don't be surprised if the first three words you hear this time are bueno, barato y bonito.
-- Ketut Ketik