The curious things we do, or can't do.

[Vanhelsing]

Do you have a habit or trait your Indonesian friends, family or partner at one time found curious?

Perhaps it's waiting for, or giving way, to a pedestrian or scooter rider while you're driving a car. Or maybe your partner can't understand how you're unable to sleep through a chorus of barking dogs at three in the morning.
Perhaps your ability to ad multiple numbers together quickly in your head appears to be witchcraft?

 

[vocalneal]

Perhaps it's waiting for, or giving way, to a pedestrian or scooter rider while you're driving a car.

On occasion if traffic warrants or permits. Simply politeness. But please don't drive down the outside of a queue of traffic and expect me to let you in!

 

[Bad_azz]

Getting my dogs neutered. Hubby thinks I am cruel.
...
...
actually most men probably think its cruel removing balls with a scalpel... who just shuddered at the thought?

 

[Anglian]

Getting my dogs neutered. Hubby thinks I am cruel.
...
...
actually most men probably think its cruel removing balls with a scalpel... who just shuddered at the thought?

It was my wife who got our dog neutered, I was a bit horrified after being away for a week to find my little mate balless, especial after the kind gentleman who helped me up when my golden pulled me over, he had a lady golden and suggested for a fee we make pups, my wife was horrified, I told her that’s what dogs to best and could be a nice little earner

 

[Supir Angkot]

Crashing the syukuran slametan/thanksgiving celebration, eating with bare hands, plates are optional, loud burp and wipe your mouth dry with toilet tissue rolls. I know I’m among my people.

 

[nd_eric_77]

1. In over 7 years of teaching here, I have never used a calculator while marking exams.
2. If it starts raining while I am swimming, I will keep right on swimming (unless there is thunder / lightning).
3. I adamantly refuse to shower 2-3 times per day unless I get especially sweaty. The vast majority of my time is spent in air-conditioned rooms, hence once per day is plenty.

 

[rugby]

I'm not even gonna get started on this thread. If you are from another country that has 4 seasons and pioneers could possibly starve (or your ancestors starved while paying taxes to a king) then lobotomize yourself in the hotel before thinking you'll find a natural desire for initiative here. If you've done that already then you are well prepared for the patience required to just sit. In traffic, in meetings, in restaurants, with relatives, with doctors. Don't say a thing since you are not an "expert" with an advanced degree of some sort from a local university i.e Doctor prescribes Pilipino Naval Base Gonorrhoea level antibiotics to your sniffily 3 month old or try to describe a recommended food pyramid to the nannies. Fuck that. You are only good for the position you arrived with.
I'm tired of it all - good night (perhaps I'll get out of here - tired of pretending that the everyday folks are better than they are and tired of training). I've made some winners but it's very hard here.

 

[lifelongexpat]

My wife is more than curious at my 'call a spade a spade' approach to dealing with things. Can't get my head around the whole thing of being two faced, telling lies or being indirect to avoid loss of face.

 

[jimboSh3]

for one, i'd like to think and look beyond my pets, invest more time on myself and be more productive with my jamming sessions but i can't

 

[Bad_azz]

I'm not even gonna get started on this thread. If you are from another country that has 4 seasons and pioneers could possibly starve (or your ancestors starved while paying taxes to a king) then lobotomize yourself in the hotel before thinking you'll find a natural desire for initiative here. If you've done that already then you are well prepared for the patience required to just sit. In traffic, in meetings, in restaurants, with relatives, with doctors. Don't say a thing since you are not an "expert" with an advanced degree of some sort from a local university i.e Doctor prescribes Pilipino Naval Base Gonorrhoea level antibiotics to your sniffily 3 month old or try to describe a recommended food pyramid to the nannies. Fuck that. You are only good for the position you arrived with.
I'm tired of it all - good night (perhaps I'll get out of here - tired of pretending that the everyday folks are better than they are and tired of training). I've made some winners but it's very hard here.

You do have some valid points in there- but I don't sit back and take crap from a doctor here. I don't care what they think of me when I question them. If their ego can't take a question or two and respond respectfully , then they don't get my custom. End of story.
I don't sit in traffic often- because I rarely use a car. Cars are for people on packages & they are the biggest waste of time in Jakarta.

I guess I know what I wil and won't accept in my life and what compromises I am prepared to make to achieve the best balance. So I rarely have anything to bitch about.
Are nannies essential? If they don't care for the children properly, don't have them.
It is all about perspective, attitude and expectations.
Why pretend anyone is better than they are? I don't get that.
Sounds to me that you have a lot of unresolved issues eating away at you. Make the changes you need, no one else will.
& I'll throw in a big hug too 'cos you sound like you need one.

 

[macvert]

Sounds to me that you have a lot of unresolved issues eating away at you..

I think this is a touch harsh Bad Azz, we don/t know Rugby's background situation & what he / she has or is going thru.

 

[Vanhelsing]

I've had times where the frustrations of living in Indonesia has frustrated me making me want to vent, resulting in expression that possibly doesn't sit exactly with my overall feeling of my life in Indonesia.

Sometimes we just need to let it all out. Rucby was just letting off a little steam, I reckon.

 

[Bad_azz]

Oh, my bad, I thought it was Rugby who was here under duress cos of wife & child- maybe some other member of the forum...or indeed the old place

 

[Vicissidude]

I have a lot of gripes, but in the interest of preserving a lighthearted thread, here are a couple off the top of my head...

Shuffling. Everyone is always amazed whenever I simply shuffle a deck of cards the proper way. Like I'm a card magician or something. I've never met an Indonesian who can do it, though I now know a few who are practicing and getting better at it after they asked me to teach them.

Flossing. It's seen as weird behavior from everyone I've talked to. One time I even asked a dental student, and she said she doesn't do it. I still need to find a dentist here, but I'm apprehensive to trust the judgement of a dentist who doesn't floss.

 

[Balifrog]

A bit of an old Asian hand on my side,
2,5 y South Korea / 10 y Thailand / 1,5 y Vietnam / 8 y HKG plus missions in Myanmar, K.L., Singapore...
Now "newbie" in Bali and East Java.
Not much they can surprise me with nowadays..Add to that my relationships with.a few Asian women..
But I have to admit that being a pensioner now, at least it takes away the stress on the "pro" side....
Place I disliked most ? Hong Kong !
From a new 2 months experience here, I think Bali is nice (Sanur), East Java jungle bearable for 2 weeks at a time.
Anyway,.done worse countries durinc my career !
Always keep smiling and remember "time is a good teacher" !
Ho, and be VERY patient and flexible...

 

[steveandpenny]

Getting my dogs neutered. Hubby thinks I am cruel.
...
...
actually most men probably think its cruel removing balls with a scalpel... who just shuddered at the thought?

Thank you badass even when I talked to the vet about getting our dog neutered we were on Skype with his son in Bali to translate(who is training there to be a vet) . When he understood what we wanted he ask us " You want to make him a sissy ?" We almost died laughing. This is from a vet !

 

[Bad_azz]

Luckily our local vet is ace. She isn't great at sewing, but she is totally behind responsible pet owners. & she just started following me on Instagram - I have a hard time imagining any UK vet doing that.

 

[rugby]

You do have some valid points in there- but I don't sit back and take crap from a doctor here. I don't care what they think of me when I question them. If their ego can't take a question or two and respond respectfully , then they don't get my custom. End of story.
I don't sit in traffic often- because I rarely use a car. Cars are for people on packages & they are the biggest waste of time in Jakarta.

I guess I know what I wil and won't accept in my life and what compromises I am prepared to make to achieve the best balance. So I rarely have anything to bitch about.
Are nannies essential? If they don't care for the children properly, don't have them.
It is all about perspective, attitude and expectations.
Why pretend anyone is better than they are? I don't get that.
Sounds to me that you have a lot of unresolved issues eating away at you. Make the changes you need, no one else will.
& I'll throw in a big hug too 'cos you sound like you need one.

Thanks for the hug - I won't drag this out - and haven't really had duress (except for complicated pregnancy issues and an armed robbery). The "pretending" bit is when I'm biting my tongue watching something unfold but can't say anything but "Good Job - terimah kasih" afterwards else "too much yap yap". I stopped the "yap yap" years ago. Beer helps.
Let's get back to the fun stuff.

 

[nosox]

still feel guilty for castrating my lab Ochre 20 years ago
Also,I sometimes regret that I can't wiggle my ears........ that talent could have so many applications

 

[vocalneal]

still feel guilty for castrating my lab Ochre 20 years ago

You did it yourself?