Dealing with Indonesians
Dealing with Indonesians
It has been interesting to read replies to Mr McLaughlin's
letter complaining about the way he was treated by his neighbor.
Perhaps a few pieces of advice and cultural knowledge might help
him to tolerate life in Indonesia a little more. One important
point first; Jakarta is not a reflection of the nation. It's the
capital of it.
* Not all Indonesians are friendly (as you have been ill-
informed by subsequent letters). There are good and bad, kind and
cruel, friendly and unfriendly in any country you wish to name.
Just look in any country's tourist brochures. Indonesia is not
the only country to claim it has the friendliest people; all do!
Yes, there are, naturally, millions of Indonesians who are
friendly, considerate etc., but if you possess a smattering of
Bahasa Indonesian, in Jakarta you'll know Hey! Bule said in a
loud, threatening tone is certainly not a friendly greeting -- Nor
is Sapi lu! (you cow!) when you are crossing a road (which was
screamed at me not long ago). Gembel lu! is referring to the
scruffy way you might be dressed and ngeres lu! refers to the
dirty thoughts you (yes...you!) might be having when looking at
one of the young ladies here.
There are a lot more, believe me! However, I'd suggest that
you accept these comments as a risk you have to absorb while
you're here. Being Indian or Pakistani in London you might not
just be verbally abused but also beaten up in the process and
that's for simply having a different color skin. Just think about
how much worse it could be here Mr McLaughlin.
* Next time you need a taxi, hail one down, knock on the
window and ask where he (yes...he!) is going before you get in.
He may not be going your way. And don't get angry if he isn't
because he is too busy trying to find someone who is going his
way (even though he only has a one-in-four chance). But consider
this, where else could you hail for a taxi on a toll road?
* Indonesians are extremely sociable people (much to their
merit) and are not used to being ignored, as we often are. So,
please volunteer conversation, especially if you work in an
office. If you ignore someone here, it is interpreted as a sign
of hatred, not apathy as is often the way it is interpreted in
the west. Complain if you wish but don't go off your head.
* Apologizing can often be interpreted here as a sign of
weakness (not strength, as we are used to). To apologize is often
difficult, but should you decide to do so, two things are worth
remembering. Firstly, the feeling the other person might have
(though not expressed) is Tuh! kan?, roughly translated as "See?
I told you, didn't I?" Secondly, what you apologized for will
probably be referred to again in the future, when it suits that
person's purpose (i.e. a hidden weapon for future use).
Of course, there are more but I shan't go on. Suffice to say
that I think you should adopt a more culturally sensitive
approach and try to enjoy such a varied yet unified nation and
its population. We all have problems, whether it's here or in our
own countries. So, next time your neighbors tip their garbage in
your front yard, pop your head out of your front door and say
Terima kasih and don't forget to smile. After all, if you don't,
the last laugh might be on you (yes...you!) Mr McLaughlin.
Indonesians didn't need immigration to kick out the Dutch and
neither do they need immigration to encourage us to leave. The
people themselves can do that job quite effectively. If you make
their lives miserable, they'll certainly reciprocate.
Name and address
withheld