This is an old story. Happened about a couple years ago. I went to dinner with couple of my mates. Told them a story about my struggle to adapt in Jakarta. Funny, it only took me a week to adapt in Auckland, ten days in Phoenix. But it took me almost two years to adapt back in my home city. It's sad really, but I have to admit, here in Jakarta is a downgrade. You can't expect to get used to Flinstone-ville after you had a taste in Jetson's era.
Then another thing about your gender status. For example, it takes me three times harder to gain respect from my clients, since they see me as another wife-to-be instead of independent career-oriented woman. If I told who my father is, then they'll take notice. I hardly use that anyway, cause then I'll be to dependent on him.
Another case, like low-class workers, it's not that I want to be racist, but you see, there's a huge gap between social status in Jakarta. I tried to respect the poor people. The thing is, they have no education and no manner. My parents taught me to stay quiet or ignore, because I'm a female and it's pretty dangerous if I pick a fight. But I had so much anger build up inside, then one day I decided to teach them a lesson.
I went for a lunch, and I saw "those" people gathered in front of my office. They were the construction workers near my office. I walked as fast as I could, wished that they wouldn't notice. Wishful thinking, they did notice. But I still managed to gather my patient and ignored them. Kept repeating to myself, "Not worthy, not worthy...". After working hours, I tried to find alternative way to my parking lot. But it was just a bad day for me and I met them. They verbally assaulted me, then I snapped.
Now....I'm a pretty mellow lady, but an old mate told me if something pisses me off it'd be scary, like the beginning of WW part III.
Completely ignored the fact that there were more than 8 native Indonesian men, I screamed the most ill-mannered words (this translation is more polite than actual event), "I know your mother never educate you with manners. But maybe you should eat more pork to make you smarter, rather than f*cking goat in your bed!". (FYI: Muslims don't eat pork)/ They were stunned but then again I managed to shut them up.
Like I said, I didn't mean to be racist but these people didn't respect me, so I refused to respect them. I had to put up this kind of harassment for years. I usually just went home and cried in my room, frustrated. But this time I had enough, I will fight 'till death if I need to, bring at least 3 to 5 people to hell with me.
I know, it sounded horrible, and I'm sorry if I offend any of my Muslim friends. You guys are different though, you guys value me dearly, so I value you the same. Like this saying, treat people like you want to be treated, and simple enough for me, an eye for an eye.
Jan 31, 2010
What's up with Indos?
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