Wonders and curiosities

[merahputih]

Talking about inventive and somewhat bizarre ways to make money: What I’ve seen here in my family in law, is the purchase or build and keeping of (empty) dwellings just for the sarang burung walet.

View attachment 3030

These edible (swallow’s?) bird nests are considered a delicacy and go for quite a lot of money. It sells for up to $1,000 per kilo.

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Some family members from my father side own sort of dwellings and yes, it makes a lot of money. I was asked by a Chinese acquintance of my husband. She asked me if I also eat it regularly . I said, "No." She asked, "Why not?" I said, "I'm poor." Probably I have eaten it once. But since I don't really remember it, for me it should be neither delicious or bad.

 

[merahputih]

Yes, I know it is human nature, but in Indonesia 'gengsi' is institutionalized in society. Status is everything here. Indonesia still has 'strata'.
...
Which arisan do you attend? Ada yang Rp.50.000, ada yang 50 juta. And the women who attend the 50 juta warisan, all dress up and wear their Prada shoes and show off their Louis Vuitton bags.
...

I knew some people who will intentionally come late to an appointment just because they think that "more important people" come later and the one that come earlier/on time are "less important". I was raised differently to that thought so I asked, "Why?" One said, "If you come early it shows you need the other party, not the other way around." Right ...

I also don't like to attend any kind of arisan. My first arisan was when I was 8. My mom took me to a PKK (women's neighbourhood meeting) because it's socially mandatory. She didn't like it. We lived in kampung, so attending is expected or it will be a hassle if you want to ask some confirmation of documents later. At home, my mom asked me, "So, what do you think?" I said, "Well, I don't like the march song. And why should you wearing a uniform? Then everybody gossips about people who don't come today and they who hasn't paid iuran warga (monthly contribution fee). I only like the part when I may shake your cup and dices."

In general, I avoid these type of intentionally-late-people and all arisan plus the ibu-ibu arisan.

Btw, is arisan an Indonesian/Asian thing? I heard from someone that her mother in-law has recently involved in such activity here in the Netherlands and it's new for her (the mother in law). I think general potluck in Western countries doesn't involve money.

 

[merahputih]

In the Netherlands, there is only one mall. Just opened 3 years ago: "Westfield, the mall of the Nerherlands".

Dutch people in the weekends go play tennis, golf, sailing, ... dancing. Watch their kids play hockey, soccer, tennis. Family visits. Meet friends for lunch or for a drink in a bar in the evening.
...

Point is, the middle class people I observe here in the mall are not very eager to learn new skils. There are plenty things to learn. But most of them are "malassss". Too much hung up on their "gengsi". Just watching their phones all the time. I often say to the gym instructors, why not learn English? You're waisting your time.

It's hot in Indonesia so people try to stay under shade or inside a building and the mall equipped with AC.

The cheapest sport is walking or running which is difficult to do in most cities in Indonesia. For most people, paid sports are unafforable/not a priority. For the others it's a mean to make business conncetion and for the rest, just like you said, they're just lazy.

When I worked in Surabaya, I walked to go to my office. 10 minutes away with some struggle. There's no pedestrian path. I walked together in the same road with motorcycles and cars.
On my very left side there was a slanted wall of parking lot of ruko, then a 50cm sewerage, a 15cm concrete border and then the asphalt. Before the traffic light, a man stopped his motorcycle with his left foot rest on that concrete border. Next to him was a truck. I won't step on his foot but was also afraid to walk between him and the truck but I have no choice. I walked behind him and he saw me from the side view mirror. When I passed him, he looked at me with what-the-heck-are-you-doing look. I looked him back with do-you-think-i'm-jesus look. And no, I won't wait because more traffic was coming and it's more dangerous.

 

[Samoerai]

Btw, is arisan an Indonesian/Asian thing? I heard from someone that her mother in-law has recently involved in such activity here in the Netherlands and it's new for her (the mother in law). I think general potluck in Western countries doesn't involve money.

The "arisan" was discussed in the thread "No Indonesian culture". See the post from jstar.

Rotating savings and credit association - Wikipedia

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In The Nederlands something like "arisan" does not exists. Also potlucks are not common. Certainly not among the "asli" Dutch. Maybe in this 21th century with more and more mixed cultures potlucks will be more common.

 

[merahputih]

The "arisan" was discussed in the thread "No Indonesian culture". See the post from jstar.

Ah, I thought I saw it somewhere. Thanks.

 

[Samoerai]

I looked him back with do-you-think-i'm-jesus look.

 

[Samoerai]

I knew some people who will intentionally come late to an appointment just because they think that "more important people" come later and the one that come earlier/on time are "less important". I was raised differently to that thought so I asked, "Why?" One said, "If you come early it shows you need the other party, not the other way around." Right ...

Yeah, that's really a stupid behavior, right? Because one will never invite or make an appointement with them again. At least I won't.
Yesterday it was my birthday and my wife and I invited friends for lunch at the Mulia (actually her friends only, because I don't have friends here). The point is, some of her friends made weirds comments to my wife (I didn't get that at the moment, because I don't speak the language). When we came home, she was upset. I told her that those comments of some friends of her are all signs of jealousy. And that is something to recognize. They want to tear you down. But, how stupid of them, because you will never invite them again, help them in the future if they need help.

Some or most of them are just "bodoh".

Many situations like above, actually, I noticed.

 

[harryopal1]

Yeah, that's really a stupid behavior, right? Because one will never invite or make an appointement with them again. At least I won't.
Yesterday it was my birthday and my wife and I invited friends for lunch at the Mulia (actually her friends only, because I don't have friends here). The point is, some of her friends made weirds comments to my wife (I didn't get that at the moment, because I don't speak the language). When we came home, she was upset. I told her that those comments of some friends of her are all signs of jealousy. And that is something to recognize. They want to tear you down. But, how stupid of them, because you will never invite them again, help them in the future if they need help.

Some or most of them are just "bodoh".

Many situations like above, actually, I noticed.

Selamat ulang tahun untuk kemarin. Berapa umor sekarang atau itu salahku bertanya?

 

[Samoerai]

Selamat ulang tahun untuk kemarin. Berapa umor sekarang atau itu salahku bertanya?
View attachment 3654

One year older, but still sexy, loh!

 

[merahputih]

Yesterday it was my birthday and my wife and I invited friends for lunch at the Mulia (actually her friends only, because I don't have friends here). The point is, some of her friends made weirds comments to my wife (I didn't get that at the moment, because I don't speak the language). When we came home, she was upset.

Happy belated birthday!
I'm sorry to hear about the uncomfortable situation you were in. Indeed, we don't need to hold on to those kind of "friends".

 

[Samoerai]

Happy belated birthday!
I'm sorry to hear about the uncomfortable situation you were in. Indeed, we don't need to hold on to those kind of "friends".

Thank you!

 

[harryopal1]

One year older, but still sexy, loh!

Could you please courier several slices of that birthday cake?

 

[pantaiema]

Yeah, that's really a stupid behavior, right? Because one will never invite or make an appointement with them again. At least I won't.
Yesterday it was my birthday and my wife and I invited friends for lunch at the Mulia (actually her friends only, because I don't have friends here). The point is, some of her friends made weirds comments to my wife (I didn't get that at the moment, because I don't speak the language). When we came home, she was upset. I told her that those comments of some friends of her are all signs of jealousy. And that is something to recognize. They want to tear you down. But, how stupid of them, because you will never invite them again, help them in the future if they need help.

Some or most of them are just "bodoh".

Many situations like above, actually, I noticed.

Belated birthday wishes! It's evident that some individuals around your wife lack intelligence.

Jealousy, deeply rooted in ancient culture in Indonesia, hampers the progress of the country. Merely expressing envy, without understanding the efforts others have invested behind their success, does not contribute to personal growth.

Jealousy is one of the root cause of racism. This phenomenon is evident in ethnic conflicts in Indonesia, particularly in transmigration areas where migrants often outshine locals in success. Jealousy towards the Indonesian Chinese, who tend to achieve more success, results in the unwarranted raising of issues like indigenous origins like they are more entitle to live in Indonesia.

The relevance of indigenous status is questionable today, especially considering that these Chinese ethnic groups are often third or fourth-generation citizens. This parallels the situation of Javanese transmigrants in other parts of Indonesia. These groups who, despite contributing significantly to society through taxes and other means, may face unwarranted discrimination based on their origin.

In light of these observations, it can be argued that Indonesia exhibits characteristics of one of the most racially discriminatory countries globally.
Not to mention racism was a state sponsored in Indonesia. These type of racial discrimination is hardly exist on other part of the world.

 

[Samoerai]

Belated birthday wishes! It's evident that some individuals around your wife lack intelligence.

Jealousy, deeply rooted in ancient culture in Indonesia, hampers the progress of the country. Merely expressing envy, without understanding the efforts others have invested behind their success, does not contribute to personal growth.

This phenomenon is evident in ethnic conflicts in Indonesia, particularly in transmigration areas where migrants often outshine locals in success. Jealousy towards the Indonesian Chinese, who tend to achieve more success, results in the unwarranted raising of issues like indigenous origins like they are more entitle to live in Indonesia.

The relevance of indigenous status is questionable today, especially considering that these Chinese ethnic groups are often third or fourth-generation citizens. This parallels the situation of Javanese transmigrants in other parts of Indonesia. These groups who, despite contributing significantly to society through taxes and other means, may face unwarranted discrimination based on their origin.

In light of these observations, it can be argued that Indonesia exhibits characteristics of one of the most racially discriminatory countries globally.
Not to mention racism was a state sponsored in Indonesia. These type of racial discrimination is hardly exist on other part of the world.

Thank you. Yes I agree.
Huh, not sure what you mean in the last paragraph?

 

[Samoerai]

Could you please courier several slices of that birthday cake?

Sorry, habis. After lunch we went for dance workshop .. just for fun .. dancing on MJ music. Moves at my age .. not to be recommended.

However the dancers, who do this for a living, were very helpful.


Next year's birthday party .. dance workshop ... on music of Saturday Night Fever aja ... more easy

 

[Samoerai]

Something else to wonder about.

My Telkomsel sim-card was "off". My wife and I went to the Customer Service (CS) of Telkomsel. The man from CS said, one has to replace the sim-card every 2 years.
Huh?

Asking why? He couldn't give a clear answer.

Anyway, the sim card was on my wife's name. So she had to give him her ktp. And then he ask her to come to the machine dispenser for sim cards.

He then put the new sim card in my phone and that was that.
Until I checked and saw that the sim card had a wrong phone number: that number is my wife's number. What? Yes ... never in one time right here in Indonesia.

So he inserted that sim card in my wife's phone and I got a new sim card.
Makan banyak waktu ...

End of the story? No!
The BCA app on my wife's phone didn't work anymore. So she had to go back to CS to fix that.

Ya Allah!

 

[Samoerai]

In Jakarta Post today ...

What sets global innovation leaders apart, and why is replicating their success so challenging, if not impossible by 2045, for nations like Indonesia?

During the MIT presidential welcome tour in Singapore, president of MIT Sally Kornbluth outlined the key elements that make MIT a global leader in research and innovation. Her presentation emphasized MIT’s strategic vision and the importance of collaborative partnerships to address complex, cross-border challenges such as climate change, public health and technology adaptation.
..
Kornbluth highlighted MIT’s interdisciplinary environment, which encourages seamless collaboration across fields and fosters a culture driven by curiosity and societal impact. This environment is bolstered by MIT’s infrastructure, supporting the transition of ideas from concept to application.
..
However, this admiration poses a challenge for nations like Indonesia seeking to become innovation-driven. The instinct to replicate the MIT model wholesale, in light of a reactive culture known locally as gumun (a fascination with the novel that leads to mimicry), can hinder progress rather than drive it. Such efforts risk creating superficial changes without the deeper cultural transformation that is essential for true innovation.

The true foundation of MIT’s ecosystem lies in its shared values: individualism, a drive for long-term achievement and comfort with risk-taking. These values, ingrained in the American ethos, fuel the cycle of innovation seen at MIT. Indonesia, by contrast, faces cultural barriers like short-term focus, hierarchical reliance and risk aversion that challenge direct model replication. Transforming Indonesia into an innovation-driven society requires more than structural mimicry; it demands an extensive cultural shift.

Recognizing this, the Indonesian government has taken steps such as the formation of the Culture Ministry, which goes beyond preserving artifacts to reshape the shared cultural assumptions that influence national orientations, such as man-nature, time, activity and relational orientations. These initiatives seek to encourage sustainable practices and long-term thinking, fostering an environment conducive to consistent innovation. The orientation of human nature in Indonesia highlights issues like corruption and limited human rights respect, which erode trust and hinder cooperative efforts crucial for innovation. The establishment of the Human Rights Ministry focuses on enhancing protections and fostering a culture of accountability. Incorporating civic education at all educational levels supports this by nurturing democratic awareness and encouraging responsible citizenship.
..
Kornbluth’s insights into MIT’s success emphasize that true progress comes from deeply embedded cultural shifts supported by comprehensive strategies. For Indonesia, bridging the gap requires educational investments that foster critical thinking and civic awareness, strong democratic institutions and policies promoting transparency and meritocracy. Aligning short-term projects with long-term goals and fostering collaboration across sectors will help embed a culture of innovation rooted in shared values. While this transformation spans generations, starting now is essential to create a resilient, inclusive society ready for sustained progress.

 

[merahputih]

While watching YouTube now, I see way too much advertising! Plus most of it is silly young Korean boys dancing, about a chocolate drink, or silly Korean girls dressed in junior high school uniforms, jumping up and down, acting like they're thrilled over instant noodles. I don't understand why all the ads are so childish? Is this really what locals want to see?

I reply your question here. It's cultural thing.

In general in Asia, people are reluctant to grow old (or grow up ). We embrace the youth periode and want to keep being young regardless some genetic advantage. Aside from language influence, that's why women use high pitch voice. Teenagers and young adult dress like they're under 12. Young adult enjoy to live with their parents until they get married or even after, regardless if they have enough money (or not) to have their own place. Because live is easier when daily chores are done for them, either by the parents or the maid. The downside, their live decission is influence by parents/family, perhaps for their whole life.
Japanese/Korean/Chinese manga (comic) and anime (animation), boyband/girlband, and drama in demand. That's why there's contact lens with overly big pupils. There was a periode when women draw their eyebrow so thick, we call it Crayon Shin-can eyebrow). They are effort to be seen as "still young". Being young is seen as being cute. Of course it's not always true .

In the other hand, in Europe or US or Australia, children can't wait to grow up. It's a dream being adult and get freedom that you don't have when you are a minor. They embrace independecy. Parents encourage children to gradually do stuff themselves.
Teenagers put too much make up, dressing like an adult women. Young adult can't wait to have their own place. There are part time jobs available so they can at least have a bit of money. Their own money, their own decission to use it. This jobs are scarce or not existed in some Asian countries. Being an adult means you can decide.

 

[Shadrach]

I reply your question here. It's cultural thing.

In general in Asia, people are reluctant to grow old (or grow up ). We embrace the youth periode and want to keep being young regardless some genetic advantage. Aside from language influence, that's why women use high pitch voice. Teenagers and young adult dress like they're under 12. Young adult enjoy to live with their parents until they get married or even after, regardless if they have enough money (or not) to have their own place. Because live is easier when daily chores are done for them, either by the parents or the maid. The downside, their live decission is influence by parents/family, perhaps for their whole life.
Japanese/Korean/Chinese manga (comic) and anime (animation), boyband/girlband, and drama in demand. That's why there's contact lens with overly big pupils. There was a periode when women draw their eyebrow so thick, we call it Crayon Shin-can eyebrow). They are effort to be seen as "still young". Being young is seen as being cute. Of course it's not always true .

In the other hand, in Europe or US or Australia, children can't wait to grow up. It's a dream being adult and get freedom that you don't have when you are a minor. They embrace independecy. Parents encourage children to gradually do stuff themselves.
Teenagers put too much make up, dressing like an adult women. Young adult can't wait to have their own place. There are part time jobs available so they can at least have a bit of money. Their own money, their own decission to use it. This jobs are scarce or not existed in some Asian countries. Being an adult means you can decide.

This seems silly to me, but I'm a westerner. A downside to being in your twenties, and still living with your parents, is lack of necessary skills for adulthood. I met a 25 year old girl, that didn't know how to cook. I asked her why, and she said, because her mother does all the cooking!
What kind of wife will she be? I see many of the new trainees here, in their twenties, so shy they act like they're still teenagers..

 

[merahputih]

The poor Indonesians couldn't afford to see American movies or cable/satellite TV to view American shows. Evidently you have not bothered to pay any attention to the home grown soap opera shows being broadcast on free TV. Those are some f***ked up story lines. Maybe they just mirror Indonesia society. Everybody cheating in their spouse with someone more rich, Sleeping with the housekeepers, wives being made slaves to the MiL, family if one spouse who are poor moving in and taking over the richer spouse's house, theft of all the legal ownership documentation, and while a few may see a short stay in jail, no one ever prosecuted. Take a look if you want to see what people are watching. Then go look at the Indian shows they offer. You can leave America out of it.

Having lived in various Asian countries, I was surprised (well, the 1st year..) by the level of ridicule of the Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian "drama" series

The question I still ask myself is ;
Are the TV dramas a reflection of society or is society copying from the TV dramas ?
Personally I think it is the first... And of course it will confirm in people's mind that this is the normal way...

Now in the West we have a LOT of "reality shows," of an absolute silliness, nursery school level.
But contrary to Asia, it is the new Western generation copying from it. Social media being a perfect example.

The first private media company for tv (I think) is RCTI. First launched in 1989. Before, we have TVRI only, government managed tv channel. There were Little House in The Prairie or Bonanza but you can google what kind of most programs what TVRI had back then . When RCTI came, it was a refreshing, just something new and different. Along with it came Indian film, Chinese, Japanese series and then Korean drama, and lately Turkish drama.
I remember in the beginning there are may be 3 or 4 Indonesian TV dramas that were good or in the ok side. Si Doel Anak Sekolahan for example was good. Definitely various story lines from what we had in around 2000 and after. I think 10-20 years the fixed story line are:

• a young man went for a vacation to another city/island and fell in love with a local girl.
• a wicked step mother
• a young man almost crashed a homeless young women. They fell in love and the parents of the man disapprove that.
• a woman that is always a victim of her mother- and sister in law
• ghost(s) that were a victim of crime that came back to punish bad people

Apparently a lot of Idonesian people like that kind of theme. I don't. Advertisement is flooding every 10-15 minutes for 5 minutes and probably it boosts sales for products.
There was one tv drama that just force to continue showing, maybe even 10 years. Began with a couple, and they continue the story about their children, and grandchildren. At the end they even make sort of voting mechanism, that audience can send a text to the tv station, a, b, or c option how the story will continue. My goodness, move on people! Sadly, my voice doesn't represent the whole society.

It continues with other ridiculous shows, mocking whoever and whatever, people do stupid things... Both are correct. Drama is reflection of what happens to some people and people continue to be in that drama because if the tv says so, it must be the only way of life .