People to people (3)
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