Dismayed by expat's complaint

Dismayed by expat's complaint

Most expatriates reading The Jakarta Post Aug. 6, must have
been considerably dismayed by the article Antiforeigner sentiment
reaches fever pitch. Not a letter but an article by a certain
Todd Gregory, complaining of his treatment by Indonesians. It is
one thing to allow anyone to express their personal opinions in
letters to the editor but to publish such views in such a form,
and particularly with such an alarming headline, gives the
impression that the Post supports and encourages such a position.
We sincerely hope this is not the case because Mr. Gregory's view
is very far from the prevailing one in Jakarta. It is extremely
rare that foreigners are heard to complain of any such treatment.
To the contrary, most of us find that we are treated with more
respect here than elsewhere, and often with more respect than
Indonesians in similar situations.

It is difficult to explain the experiences of Mr. Gregory,
which are worlds apart from those of most expatriates working and
living here in Jakarta. Perhaps, if a foreigner goes around in
torn and soiled clothes, unkempt and with long straggly uncombed
hair, he will not inspire the courtesy and respect of those
Indonesians he deals with.

One should not be surprised if the reaction one elicits
reflects the image one puts forward to the world. Jakarta is a
business city, and everyone knows, or should know, that to be
successful one must be clean, respectable looking, and act in an
at least cordial and polite manner. If there are expatriates who
feel that to follow these simple norms of etiquette might
compromise their individuality, they should not complain that
they are not warmly welcomed, by Indonesians or anyone else.

KAREN MILLS

Jakarta