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Issues: `Letters: May expats be critical?'

A few days ago, some friends and I were having a rather lively and heated discussion concerning the appropriateness of us foreign visitors being critical of certain behavior of Indonesian people

The Jakarta Post
Thu, July 9, 2009

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Issues: `Letters: May expats be critical?'

A few days ago, some friends and I were having a rather lively and heated discussion concerning the appropriateness of us foreign visitors being critical of certain behavior of Indonesian people. The behavior to which I am referring is that which endangers the health, safety or quality of life of all people in Indonesia, native and foreign alike. What gave rise to the discussion was that I had recounted how, a few days previously, I had witnessed a young girl, perhaps of junior high school age, pull her motorcycle to the side of the road and throw a large plastic bag of garbage away.

Your comments:

Several of the above responses touch on the "face" issue in James' action. This is a major element of the Indonesian character, incomprehensible to most Western visitors. I wonder whether James correctly interpreted the "guilty look" he saw on the girl's face.

Expressions of anger or rebuke by a bule (Westerner) can confuse Indonesians who have undue awe and respect leaning to reverence towards westerners. Embarrassment and confusion may have been the girl's true response, not the realization that she had been littering.

Easy to be an armchair quarterback, but I wonder if what James might have done was to have picked up the litter himself in view of the girl and said to her in a friendly way that littering would make the city dirty. Or something to that effect, which would have saved "face" and possibly conveyed a lasting message.

Cato

Expatriates and Indonesians must complain. Complaints do not just arise from bad moods, but out of disappointment. To complain and criticize is the first step toward the progress of a country (I am not talking about money), and some have institutions that encourage complaints and criticism.

About littering, in some countries the penalty for throwing garbage in the street is as high as a monthly salary. Indonesians and the expatriates will never think about throwing garbage in Singapore or driving like they do here even in Thailand (two close examples of Asian neighbors).

Is not only a question of culture, but the implementation of laws to create a better society. Some readers personally attacked James with absurd comments instead of refuting his message. Like always, trying to "kill the messenger", in this case because he is a bule.

The truth is that James has been living in Bali for more than 15 years so he is more than a guest. Like an Indonesian living in Malaysia or London for a long time is more than a guest. He is a participant in Balinese society. Nobody thinks that an Indonesian living in Europe for 15 years is a tourist! So, please complain, and loudly. By the way, are Bali's beaches being privatized? Public beaches mean free access, but in many beaches now you have to pay, not for parking but for access.

Paco

Of course you may, and in fact, you have a responsibility to be critical. I am surprised that you ask this question after 15 years of living in Indonesia.

However, the most important thing is that you give good examples of how to lead a decent life in Indonesia. Your good action (with good intention) is more important. Don't just moan about the problems, and stop comparing Indonesia with your country. Do something.

Helena

It would be interesting to know whether or not you are yourself a foreigner or an Indonesian. In any event, I really do not think that your flaming contribution adds very much towards the discussion. You seem to be saying, very arrogantly I might say, that foreigners should keep their mouths shut, and that how Indonesians behave is not their, foreigners, business.

You have also made unfounded assumptions about the author of the original letter, and also statements "shouting at the lady", that are not, by what is said in James' letter, at all true. And, James Taylor may have already displayed good behavior and acted as a great example.

Your last couple of statements, "Or else why don't you fly back to your own country and let Indonesians live their life, they don't need you brag to learn from. You must be a failure in your country to run away to Indonesia and find refuge? You have an obligation to show gratitude to the magnanimity of Indonesia to bear you", is just a complete load of nonsense.

Whether local or foreign, you would certainly benefit from some criticism regarding the way that you speak to other human beings.

Your comments smack somewhat of, don't behave as I behave, behave as I say. Incidentally, foreigners may well be guests in this country, but let us not forget that they are paying guests.

Didi Karjadi

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