Seeing through materialism

In a nearby country, it is said young ladies when seeking a prospective mate look for men with the "Five C's": Car, Cash, Credit Card, Condominium and Country Club membership.

It is sad that material possessions are more important than anything else in life. These people seem to have lost their soul. There are more things to aspire to in the world than buying a bigger television set or Mercedes Benz every year.

In Indonesia's current drive for economic prosperity, some of our own young people are falling into the same trap of materialism -- to the exclusion of deeper, more meaningful values.

I hope the first four "C's" Indonesian women look for in their partners are Character, Courtesy, Charm and Cheerfulness. The fifth "C" can be anything from Competence to even Cuddly.

FARID BASKORO

Jakarta