In Reply to: Why 'o' Why....? posted by Saksimata on Wednesday, 28. July 2004 at 06:12 Bali Time:
I would like to reply, and agree with Saksimata, on the subject of the boys in Kuta labelled Cowboys/Gigalos and suchlike.
Mu husband is Indonesian. We now live in England with our Daughter. We lived in Bali for almost 5 years, my husband worked on Legian street for 4 of those years whilst he fully supported me.
I cannot believe that in this day and age that people still think they can speak of others in such a derogatory way. You are stereotyping people. People that stand on a street in unreal heat from 7am till 8pm all day, everyday. They work soley on commission, they'll share out with friends and the rest is what they, and there family, live on. On an average day, they may make around 30,000rp -in our currency, thats less than I pay for 20 fags. Somedays its not so good and they make nothing, but the street is not a dog eat dog world and they get by. Bali is having one of its worst drought in the tourism trade. After October 12th, They picked themselves up and carried on as best as they could. They had no other choice. They have a goverment who doesn't give a toss yet they are still some of the most patriotic people I have ever met. When you label these people try to see life through there eyes, its not an easy world. The laughter and jokes that they speak are often met by fifthy looks and ignorance from toruists passing by, a smile goes along way in Indonesia. Yes, I agree that the people that you are streotyping are normally young lads, but they are trying to earn a living, sometimes it's not they way they want it, but I don't think any person had that career in mind when they were growing up. Its a way of survival. As for the sex side of things, well that happens in any country in the world. People all over have holiday romances and no-one ever comments. So why pin point Bali?
I'd like to add that I also I know quite a few Indonesian men that have been S**t on by westerners, its just not so publicised.
At the end of the day, please remember do not judge a book by its cover. If you get comments and jibes, laugh it off. Better still, take time out of your day, grab a couple of bintang and go & sit with them, you might just come out a better person for it.