'Hello' again

I read with increasing despair the volley of letters flying between readers about basically saying "hello." This issue cannot be generalized and bears next to no relation to the length of time lived here (as some writers would suggest). Whether foreigners should respond to "Hello mister!" or not at all comes down to the individual situation and the individual's disposition. However, a number of points hold true, whatever the circumstances:

(1) Staring at and addressing passing strangers is very un- western, irrespective of the tone.

(2) "Hello mister!" has been said in both genuine and sarcastic or demeaning tones (the latter almost always being a function of the addresser's age and number of friends present).

(3) Some westerners adapt to Jakarta with minimal frustration. For others, it is the world as they know it turned upside down.

All this aside, if the individual's only exposure to "Hello mister!" occurs when they are getting into and out of their car during their weekend excursion to Kemchicks, then it is a sorry state of affairs if they cannot manage a smile or "hello" back. However, for foreigners who habitually find themselves walking around the city past groups of Indonesians who, without fail, shout "Hello mister!" or "Hello bule!", the foreigner only needs to be having a remotely bad day to make them feel ill at ease or be further frustrated. In these circumstances, silence is often the best option.

My personal experiences mirror those of Al Parkes, in that making the effort to speak to Indonesians is, more often than not, rewarding. However, I know of many expats who have decided that it is altogether a less stressful life if they just ignore all comments. In these respects, neither Mr. Wesson nor Messrs. Law and Gliwitzki are wrong, it is just that their experiences and personalities probably differ.

CHRIS LUSHER

Jakarta

Note: This should be the last letter on the subject.

-- Editor