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