No excuse for being unkind

No excuse for being unkind

Although I agree with Ms. Carolyn Emmett's comment regarding
some expatriates who are overworked, overstressed and overtired
(The Jakarta Post, Dec. 7: Expat wives), I strongly disagree with
her view of the foreigner mentioned in my letter (Show some
decency on Dec. 2) as being "a frustrated boor". Frustration is
no excuse for being unkind.

A large number of Indonesians do not have the privilege of
"expat work-related frustration". Many have no jobs and many more
have to struggle daily to make ends meet. There can be no
nightmare worse than wondering if you will be able to feed your
children tomorrow.

The most positive means of dealing with our frustrations is to
think of, and feel compassion, for those less fortunate than
ourselves.

MAHA BODEMAR

Jakarta