`Razor revolution' leaves no room for errors

`Razor revolution' leaves no room for errors

Edwin Pieroelie, Contributor, Jakarta

There's a growing revolution in Jakarta sweeping through public
and private offices, among our elders and youth, across the full
demographic range of citizens. And as alarming as the involvement
of sharp razors and close skin contact sounds, this movement, the
razor revolution, is very peaceful.

Whilst currently only apparent to conscientious observers, the
month of January has seen the razor revolution reach near
critical mass, and it won't be long before it becomes noticeably
clear to all that 2003 in Jakarta is the year of the bald head.

It's true. Go about your usual daily business but keep your
eye out for the "chrome domes" and it will surprise you how many
times you spot that cranium shine among the suits, the students,
the service staff on the streets and corridors of Jakarta.

These Jakarta bald heads, or baldies, are driving the razor
revolution.

"It's the Western influence," claims a friend and critic. "The
West now sets the trends in Indonesia. Michael Jordan in sports,
Yul Brenner in the movies. Even ex-New York Mayor Guiliani on the
cover of Time magazine."

The argument, appealing to some, is greatly flawed and a
little introspection into Indonesia's baldies reveals its own
force of hairless influencers.

From the deceased and beloved comedians Darto Helm and Jalal
or the much respected late film maker Ariefin C. Noor, the
growing razor revolution has many Indonesian predecessors.

In politics, the Orde Baru had Bustanil Arifin and Emil Salim,
Gus Dur's cabinet included AS Hikam and Alwi Shihab, and
prominent no-hair politicians today are Arifin Panigoro, Siswono
Yudohusodo and Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Djakti. Even Indonesian
actress Sukma Ayu has conceded to the lure of the razor.

At Indo Pacific, a Jakarta reputation management company and
my employer, four consultants have already interpreted the dawn
of the new year as a calling to lose their hair.

"It feels fresh, and it is perfect for the office," claims
boss Chadd McLisky. "A lot of our business deals with issues
management and being able to jump from meeting to meeting, and
working a hectic schedule without having the extra distraction of
worrying about what your hair looks like is a relief."

Bayu Irawan's motives are more aesthetic. "I think baldness is
the great "age neutralizer". Baldness makes older people look
slightly younger and more distinguished. For the younger
generation a bald head adds a few years and gives off the
appearance of wisdom."

An informal survey of Jakarta baldies fails to find common
ground that could have fit in nicely when writing the synopsis of
the razor revolution. One Indonesian artist said that he had gone
bald to go against any style trend, only to be caught in the
growing wave of another.

Another baldy, followed onto a bus and convinced to answer a
few intrusive questions only after having been shown the senility
of the interviewer, stated that his baldness was a sign to the
world that he had nothing to hide.

He felt that at this time of rampant corruption and ubiquitous
duplicity his lack of hair stated that he was not implicated in
the criminality he so despised.

Whatever the reasons, membership is growing: The razor
revolution is sweeping Jakarta. Despite the fears one may have
of the shape of their head, the color of the skin underneath
their thick head of hair, or the reaction of their peers and
loved ones, joining the razor revolution is not such a difficult
decision.

First of all, it is a membership that only needs some time
before it is automatically revoked. And second, no matter how
poorly explained, it's a haircut the barber will never, ever, get
wrong.