Politeness and garbage

In response to Renthyna P. Manurung's letter Politeness (The Jakarta Post, May 27, 1995) I have a few comments.

In Manurung's letter, we are told that Indonesians are friendly people. After consulting my dictionary, I checked the meaning of the word friendly, and found, as follows: (1) of or befitting a friend, (2) favorably disposed; not antagonistic, and (3) warm, comforting. I did not find anything about throwing garbage into gardens or smashing windows with rocks.

Manurung goes on to say "Obviously it shows that you are not accepted in your neighborhood. Why? Perhaps you don't know the answer because you don't understand the culture." According to Manurung, if a foreigner is not friendly to his neighbors, his property will be rightfully vandalized. If one fails too wish one's neighbors "Happy Holidays," he deserves garbage thrown into his garden. Perhaps a window will be smashed as well.

These acts fit the meaning of the word vengeful, which is defined as "desiring vengeance, vindictive, hostile". I am sure that Manurung does not mean to say that Indonesians are vengeful people.

I honestly tried, but I could not find a shred of logic in Manurung's letter.

AMY ORAVEC

Jakarta