In Reply to: Trisha, you prove my point posted by beenthere on Wednesday, 19. October 2005 at 06:07 Bali Time:
but not ALL Balinese are like that, just like any society.
My father in law sends money occassionally to a family. When FIL offered to buy clothes for them they declined the offer - Made's reply "I have A pair of jeans". When we (6 of us) used them for transport for half a day and gave them 300k they said it was too much. We had to talk them into it!
Ketut donated to the Aceh appeal, and the way he spoke about it, he was not the only one.
Even the taxi driver gave the cripple at the traffic lights a donation. He had no change for a 50k note when we got to the airport but asked me to wait while he got some. I told him not to worry, so he offered me the 3k that he did have. Needless to say I didn't take it. He was a bit stunned - he was not looking for a handout at all.
Today's society is way too focused on the 'bad' people that spoil it for us, probably due to the negative media grabbing the headlines. But when you have a better look these 'bad' people are in a minority. There is no need to look at the world through rose coloured glasses, but have some faith in your fellow man occassionally - there are PLENTY of wonderful people out there. Their deeds just don't make the headlines.