People to people (3)

I must strongly disagree with Mr. Gliwitzki and Mr. Law regarding their negative interpretation of the locals' "hello mister" greeting. I have lived in Jakarta one year, and have made it a point to visit and shop in the areas where the local residents frequent. I have taken Indonesian language classes and have detected no "intricacy" or subtle meaning in these simple and universal words. I have lived in Pondok Indah and the Kemang area. In both areas, I have frequently passed numerous Indonesians and exchanged greetings while out jogging. Always, without exception, their greetings were friendly and I discerned that they were pleased when I returned their greetings.

They were even more grateful when I greeted them first, or if I engaged in conversations with them. I vividly remember jogging at night past a group of scruffy looking males, a situation in the States that would be a recipe for a quick mugging in big cities. A little "Hello" and they were falling over themselves to speak what little English they knew.

They have been shunned so often in the past, even by their own countrymen who have "made it" and now lord it over them.

The Indonesian people are a people who stress the family and the community. Within two days of my moving to Kemang, my maid knew all the local residents and gossip, including that concerning the western single male living two blocks away who had a revolving door of local women visiting him. My impression is that they are curious and in awe of westerners, who are so tall and always live in the big houses. Almost all of them, for the duration of their lives, will never rise above subsistence level. My wife and I attended a local wedding, and we inevitably were the center of attention. Even at a funeral, we were given special consideration.

A greeting in any country requires a response (unless from a strange male to a female), especially if you are a guest in that country. If they contain negative connotations, let them roll off your back; they do more damage to the greeter's psyche than to you. No one can fault you for trying to be friendly.

AL PARKES

Jakarta