The recent floods in Greater Jakarta have certainly been hard on residents who have been displaced, lost their personal belongings and homes, and a tragedy for those who lost family members to the floods.

But instead of drowning in sorrow, people have also found ways to have fun. Disregarding the dangers of the disease- and dirt-laden waters, as well of the cobras and pythons coming up for air, the flooded areas became an instant swimming pool for kids.

Others used these instant ponds to fish. One video showed a man in red shorts diving into his water-logged terrace, sliding back and forth from one end of the terrace to the other, using his bare paunch as cushioning. What fun!

Indeed, Indonesians are often described as being “friendly, resilient, resourceful, tenacious and courageous, putting up with life’s difficulties with wry good humor”. We are also described as being polite, religious, superstitious, deferential to authority figures and conflict-averse.

Displays of emotion such as grief, frustration and anger are considered inappropriate.

Well, judging by some of the attitudes and behavior I have witnessed in 2019, you could have fooled me!