Youths' behavior

This is in response to Mr. B. Astar's letter in The Jakarta Post of Sept. 1, 1994.

I completely agree that the youths' behavior as he described was wrong. However, I strongly object to his continued reference to white youths. This demonstrates an extreme biased and perhaps prejudiced viewpoint.

Misbehaving youths are not limited to only whites. Let me give you an example of recent behavior by an Indonesian youth. On Saturday, Aug. 27, during the evening screening of "Speed" at Kartika Chandra this young man sitting beside me proceeded to light up his cigarette inside the theater, blew the smoke into my face, took his shoes off and gave me the doubtful pleasure of viewing the soles of his feet during the whole movie.

Does this youth's behavior represent Indonesian culture? I think not. It is more a reflection of how this individual was educated by his parents. Just as the youths' behavior you mentioned is indicative of how they were educated.

In closing, I suggest that before you write such letters you should think carefully and not be too quick to generalize.

CORNELIA HOLMES

Jakarta