Modern greetings send mixed messages

Modern greetings send mixed messages

Two women rush to give each other a big hug, simultaneously
uttering the greeting, "Minal aidin, ya!"

And their shared response comes almost in unison, "Sama-sama"
(You, too!).

Minal aidin wal faidzin actually means "from the battle and
with victory". This expresses the victory achieved by Muslims
after fighting hunger, thirst and temptation during the fasting
month of Ramadhan. Most people here mistakenly use it as though
it means "mohon maaf lahir dan bathin" (forgive me
wholeheartedly).

It's not the only greeting that is garbled in the way we use
it.

Another one that is usually used in the wrong way is
"dirgahayu", which literally means "long life!". It is usually
uttered on anniversaries to wish that someone, or an institution,
a long future; "Dirgahayu Indonesia" is an expression to wish
this country survives.

But look at the banners posted to welcome Independence Day or
Jakarta's anniversary. This expression is printed in various
forms. "Dirgahayu Indonesia ke 55 (Long live 55-year old
Indonesia) or "Dirgahayu ulang tahun RI ke 55 (Long live the 55th
anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia) are the most common
greetings on the banners in front of buildings or on pedestrian
bridges. When you think about it, both are wrong.

I was recently annoyed by the number of e-mails in my inbox,
some containing Idul Fitri greetings and others expressing
Christmas wishes. Those greetings came not only from my friends
and relatives, but also from those with whom I have never crossed
paths.

Not that I dislike greetings -- I love it when people wish me
happiness. But, come on, nobody celebrates both religious
holidays, and receiving greetings from someone you don't know
just leaves you feeling uncomfortable.

"That's what modernity has done," commented Dave, my American
colleague who also received some Idul Fitri greetings in his
inbox. "Nowadays people are too busy to buy cards and write the
addresses of friends and relatives personally.

"They leave that job to the machines. All they do is forward
each greeting they receive to all addresses listed in their
folders without bothering to select which greeting should go to
whom."

I recall the old times before the Internet and e-mail were
invented. One month before the holidays, I used to start shopping
for gifts and cards. I would write the addresses and sign the
cards personally. And, when I received cards, I checked them
carefully and excitedly. I even kept the cards for years. It
brought such loving memories.

Marianne Parasiuk, a reader living in Australia, once
expressed her feeling about Christmas cards.

"Sending cards might be an ancient thing to do, what with the
invention of modern means of communications such as the
telephone, the Internet, SMS and all that. But cards carry a lot
of messages. It is an exciting process, selecting, buying,
writing and sending."

Sending greetings by e-mail, however, is more convenient than
sending cards today. And it saves on costs. You do not have to
waste time going to the stores, selecting a big pile of cards,
and spending a handsome amount of money.

"It is also environmentally friendly," says Anthony Sumampouw,
an expert in information technology. "If everyone in the world
sent e-cards instead of conventional cards we would save a
tremendous amount of paper and, in turn, save tropical forests.
From the Internet, you can download greeting cards free of
charge. And, sending it is easier. Within seconds, the greeting
will arrive at its destination in good shape."

"In good shape?" snorted Miana in response. "I do not open all
the e-cards I receive as they cause me trouble. Most of them come
in large documents that exceed your storage capacity. And it
takes a long time to download them one by one, especially if you
don't have a direct connection. Think about the phone bills you
have to pay. So, I usually delete them without opening. I know
the content anyway."

So, modernity is not all magic. A new means of sending
greetings should be invented. Something that is convenient, but
also has a personal touch and is environmentally friendly. Anyone
who comes up with a solution to this idea is sure to have his or
her future made.

-- Carl Chairul