'Honestly, I dont like reading'

'Honestly, I dont like reading'

Reading is definitely not all the rage here in Indonesia. The
Jakarta Post spoke with several people who said they did not have
the time to read, nor could they afford to buy books. They also
said they could not see the benefit of reading, since they could
get all the information they needed from television or by talking
to their neighbors.

Atik, 39, works for a foreign manufacturer on Jl. Putra Utama
in Tangerang. She lives in Tangerang, Banten, with her husband
and son:

I used to read and often spent time in bookstores looking
through books.

Also, when I was studying at university I had to read a lot of
reference books for my studies.

However, after I graduated and started working the time I
spent reading dropped drastically.

Frankly speaking, now I am lazy to read books or even
magazines at home. I don't have the motivation to read.

In the work environment, theories do not work. So I prefer
real practices to textbook theories.

Worse, I feel like I no longer have anything to gain by
reading books, so I have lost my motivation to read.

It seems that I don't have the time to sit and read a book
when I'm home with my family.

Besides, I don't think I need to read to get information.
There are many alternatives now, like television.

I enjoy watching TV because I can get both information and
entertainment. It's far more relaxing than reading books.

I guess reading books takes time, plus the prices of books are
exorbitant.

Paidin, 25, is a high school graduate who works as a janitor
at a private school in Tangerang. He lives near the school with
several friends:

Honestly speaking, I am lazy to read books. I feel like there
is no reason for me to read.

Usually, I just fall asleep if I try to read a serious book. I
find it hard to understand books. I get dizzy if I see a thick
and serious book. I'm ashamed to admit this, but it's true.

Also, I not going to college so why should I read a lot of
books. That's how I feel.

It's easier for me to get information by talking to people
rather than reading. I'm sure I get information by mingling with
other people, who indirectly share their knowledge and
information.

I get information and news from television and newspapers,
though I rarely watch TV and only read the paper sometimes.

I sure that reading is very important but I can't overcome my
own reluctance.

Sometimes I feel the drive to read books, particularly when I
meet an intelligent or successful people.

Risma, 17, is in her second year at a vocational school in
Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta. She lives on Jl. Gelora in Central
Jakarta with her family:

Honestly, I don't like reading books because I can't stand to
sit for long hours. I only read books when my teachers give me an
assignment.

Even if I don't read books, I can get lots of information from
magazines or television. But I prefer television because it is
more fun and relaxing to sit in front of the TV rather than
sitting alone in my room reading.

On the other hand, I also realize that reading is very
important for me and, above all, my studies.

However, laziness and the skyrocketing price of books keep me
from reading a lot.

Maybe when I'm in college I'll have to read more because I
will have lots of assignments.

-- Leo Wahyudi S