'It's hard to find a man who likes to listen'

Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

It must take a lot for Debby Mitzy Sahertian, better known as Debby Sahertian, to keep her resume in order, covering as it does a range of jobs from model to public relations officer, plus the various hats she has worn in the entertainment industry.

And that's not to forget her status as the author of the popular dictionary Kamus Gaul, which put down on paper the slang that young Indonesians love to use.

Of Ambonese and Dutch descent, Debby made her debut as a model in the 1970s while still in junior high school, graduated from secretarial school and moved on to public relations work for a disco in a major hotel and also a cafe.

Debby got to show her comic skills, especially her snappy turn of phrase, in the phenomenally successful television sitcom Lenong Rumpi in the early 1990s, which she used as a stepping stone to become a TV director.

She also started compiling a dictionary of youth slang first used by the transvestite community. It sold more than 40,000 copies -- outstanding for a local publication -- and Debby is now preparing the second edition.

Although she found time in her busy schedule to answer some questions about the important things in her life, she drew the line at the one she inevitably gets asked.

"Please don't ask me that," she said when asked why, at 38, she is still single. "Too many people have asked me about that. It gets me stressed out, guys."

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

If we achieve what we want or dream about ... but for me happiness is also if we can share with others.

If you had the choice, what would you be doing right now?

I want to travel aboard, probably for two weeks to European countries. It would be nice.

Which trait do you most dislike about yourself?

I'm stubborn and very sensitive.

Most like?

I don't give up easily.

Which living people do you admire?

Both women, Hillary Clinton and Margaret Thatcher.

Do you believe in God?

Very much. Do you? (laughs)

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what do you think it would be?

I think I'll be myself again, if I am allowed, so I know which part to fix. My principle is that I have to thank God for what I am. I know what I am doing and am always thankful for that.

What was the last book you read?

A novel by Sandra Brown.

What was the last movie you watched?

The Lord of The Rings.

What makes you angry?

Too bad, I rarely get angry.

And cry?

There's a lot. Anything sentimental. I am easily touched and take pity on others.

What characteristics do you dislike in others?

Being selfish and not wanting to listen to others.

Where do you want to live?

On a green hill where I can see a long way.

What makes you embarrassed?

(Laughs) I am a comedian, remember. Sometimes what embarrasses doesn't work for me. Probably, if I mistakenly recognize someone in front of other people, then I am embarrassed.

What would you change about your appearance?

Well, I am happy with my appearance now.

What makes your life worth living?

I can make people laugh and happy. We get so much pahala (merit) if we can make people happy, don't we?

However, I find it worth living because I can give something to my family and my mother.

Do you ever worry about your appearance?

No...(pause) but perhaps because I used to be in the modeling world, I get a little bit worried if I gain weight but that's all.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

A hard worker and a devoted one. I like women who can be a housewife and at the same time have her career running well. Sounds so easy but it's very hard to do.

In a man?

A good listener. I rarely find one who can listen -- most men want to be heard. Women too, I think, want to be heard.

Is there anything you regret about your life?

What I can do I think is thank God and not regret anything. A bad past or experience is a lesson for us to learn and not to regret, isn't it?

How would you like to be remembered?

I want to be remembered just like you remember me. Busy, easy to laugh and other things. It depends on the people -- they may remember me differently.