It's that time of year again, everyone is thinking about that one or two weeks off; where to go, how much your going to drink, sleeping late and 'meeting new people' cough cough. Having Bali less than two hours away from this very office is a daydream inducing thought indeed. Many of the people I know in Indonesia are actually based in Bali and getting messages from them informing me of the latest party nights, great swells and hot hot weather is more distracting than a one legged giant playing the bagpipes!
You must be thinking about now 'but he's not moaning his whiny ass off about something'. Ha well here it is, I get that getting a tan is not high on the wish list of most Indonesian people, but really, when you go to the beach is there any need to be dressed in jeans, shoes, shirt and jacket? I can fully appreciate the religious aspect with regards to women's attire, but that is another rant all together.
I don't know if this is the case here, but in Europe people generally use the summer holidays as a great excuse to go shopping, this serves two purposes, 1- the obvious, and 2 - when your on hol don't you want to totally forget everything that you have in your normal life, and that includes putting on the same clothes. Nothing beats the feeling of new clothes, and when better to enjoy that than when you are at your most relaxed, recharging from the hard year? maybe some shorts, possibly a tee-shirt go bule gila and grab some flips, go crazy people and have some fun doing it!
Having spent the summer in Bali last year I was always surprised to see thousands of people flooding kuta beach for the sunset. OK, not that surprised it's a beautiful place to watch the sun go down, what did throw me slightly was being surrounded by a throng of 10 - 20 young people all chattering away in indo and in broken English asking for "a photo with mister". I don't get it. No really I don't get the whole thing, if anyone could enlighten me please post a comment.
Sunday 13 July 2008
Wednesday 9 July 2008
My problems with language...
There is an old(ish) joke that goes; what do you call a person who can only speak one language?
A, English
As the title suggests I have an issue when it comes to the skill of learning a new language. Most of the people reading this will speak at least two languages, maybe even more, and I take my hat off to you. Me however, well I'm English! If that dosen't mean anything to you let me explain. Because of the traditional arrogance of the English toward other languages very little emphasis is placed on learning them in schools. This is not an excuse... er... well OK it is, but my point is that from a very early age English children are taught that English is the only language they will ever really need.
Having found myself now in the real world, I am finding the truth somewhat different. I consider my self a quick learner, but I suffer from a learning disability called dyslexia. It's a psychological condition that effects the short and long term memory centres of the brain, it has been known to also hinder language, reasoning, math, and coordination. On top of these issues I am also lazy (mentally) when it comes to learning anything that my mind doesn't find acutely stimulating. Yes yes the above is a long whiny list of reasons why I can't do it. More importantly than my excuses is the fact that I need to learn Indonesian.
Oh my left nut its the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. I try to learn 5 words a day, but I forget 3 of them before the day is out, and others before I wake up the next day! I struggle on however hoping that one day I will be able to actually have a conversation that consists of more than apa kabar and baik!
The reason I am writing today is just to say to all those people who have English as a second language and are reading this now. Well done.
A, English
As the title suggests I have an issue when it comes to the skill of learning a new language. Most of the people reading this will speak at least two languages, maybe even more, and I take my hat off to you. Me however, well I'm English! If that dosen't mean anything to you let me explain. Because of the traditional arrogance of the English toward other languages very little emphasis is placed on learning them in schools. This is not an excuse... er... well OK it is, but my point is that from a very early age English children are taught that English is the only language they will ever really need.
Having found myself now in the real world, I am finding the truth somewhat different. I consider my self a quick learner, but I suffer from a learning disability called dyslexia. It's a psychological condition that effects the short and long term memory centres of the brain, it has been known to also hinder language, reasoning, math, and coordination. On top of these issues I am also lazy (mentally) when it comes to learning anything that my mind doesn't find acutely stimulating. Yes yes the above is a long whiny list of reasons why I can't do it. More importantly than my excuses is the fact that I need to learn Indonesian.
Oh my left nut its the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. I try to learn 5 words a day, but I forget 3 of them before the day is out, and others before I wake up the next day! I struggle on however hoping that one day I will be able to actually have a conversation that consists of more than apa kabar and baik!
The reason I am writing today is just to say to all those people who have English as a second language and are reading this now. Well done.
Sunday 6 July 2008
Questions to people about driving in Jakarta
Hey, so I have a couple of questions for anyone who lives in Jakarta and drives a car (or has a driver). Why do so many people here drive at night with fog lights on? People fog lights are meant to be used when it is foggy!!! This may sound a little obvious but there is no fog here. I drive an amazing little rx-8, this however is considerably lower to the ground than most of the suv's and people carriers that inhabit Jakarta's roads. For those of you who dont get what I mean, it means that your fog lights and your low beam are directed at just about the same level as my retina.
Please turn your fog lights off, unless it is foggy!
When you are sat in a traffic jam, (which can happen a lot here) what difference does it really make if you let one car out of a junction? Consideration people, come on really. The traffic jams here are caused by two things; 1, lack of space dedicated to roads and 2, people who just wont give way to other drivers. You can do something about the latter, think about it like this, do unto others as you would wish others to do unto you! (with the exceptions of taxis and buses, they are a lost cause and should be driven off the road at every opportunity, oh and motor bikes they almost deserve to get run over most of the time).
Please think about other road users and allow traffic to move freely.
This last one doesn't really apply to drivers but it still bugs the crap out of me. Pedestrians, especially older women, for the love of god, when your crossing the road and you see a car driving toward you don't just wave your fat hand at it. Hurry your wrinkly old ass up, instead of waving just move faster, because I swear to god I'm not going to slow down next time. You're the one who is out of place in the middle of the "road". I could go on and on about this but I think you get my point! Grrrrr @ orang kampung.
Stay safe and keep smiling
Please turn your fog lights off, unless it is foggy!
When you are sat in a traffic jam, (which can happen a lot here) what difference does it really make if you let one car out of a junction? Consideration people, come on really. The traffic jams here are caused by two things; 1, lack of space dedicated to roads and 2, people who just wont give way to other drivers. You can do something about the latter, think about it like this, do unto others as you would wish others to do unto you! (with the exceptions of taxis and buses, they are a lost cause and should be driven off the road at every opportunity, oh and motor bikes they almost deserve to get run over most of the time).
Please think about other road users and allow traffic to move freely.
This last one doesn't really apply to drivers but it still bugs the crap out of me. Pedestrians, especially older women, for the love of god, when your crossing the road and you see a car driving toward you don't just wave your fat hand at it. Hurry your wrinkly old ass up, instead of waving just move faster, because I swear to god I'm not going to slow down next time. You're the one who is out of place in the middle of the "road". I could go on and on about this but I think you get my point! Grrrrr @ orang kampung.
Stay safe and keep smiling
Wednesday 2 July 2008
Getting It Right
Q, How easy is it to send an e-mail?
A, Easy
So we agree that it is not that difficult to get documents proof read. It must either then be a case then of laziness or ignorance (and when I say ignorance I mean toward the fact that the service is available). Yes, yes I do seem to be being a bit harsh but really, and everyone who has been to Asia will attest to this, the level or written English in advertising here is appalling. What ever happened to the business credo of 'every little detail matters to the big picture'? It seems to have been replaced by 'Ahhh, its OK they know what we mean'!
So I am now offering my services as an freelance English proof-reader. Genius idea even if I do say so myself. Don't get me wrong as an average English person, I have been known to be some what flippant when it comes to the correct use of grammar, spelling and punctuation in my personal correspondence, that however does not mean that I think it is professional for business to be inaccurate in there advertising, even when the owner/manager is of non western origins.
Now however I find my self in an unusual position, how can I get the word out to everyone that I am starting said service? I have all ready posted ad's in facebook! On a couple of Indonesian business directories, and the occasional bulletin board. These, I fear, will not be enough. I have e-mailed everyone on my contact list and I am in the process of trying to "borrow" friends contact lists to increase the number of people that are aware of this new service.
But it still dosen't feel like its enough. So I am hitting the blogs, myspace, friendster, and the Indonesian internet servers. I have also upped the stakes by agreeing to use funds earned solely from internet earnings. And that total as of right now is $0.00.
A, Easy
So we agree that it is not that difficult to get documents proof read. It must either then be a case then of laziness or ignorance (and when I say ignorance I mean toward the fact that the service is available). Yes, yes I do seem to be being a bit harsh but really, and everyone who has been to Asia will attest to this, the level or written English in advertising here is appalling. What ever happened to the business credo of 'every little detail matters to the big picture'? It seems to have been replaced by 'Ahhh, its OK they know what we mean'!
So I am now offering my services as an freelance English proof-reader. Genius idea even if I do say so myself. Don't get me wrong as an average English person, I have been known to be some what flippant when it comes to the correct use of grammar, spelling and punctuation in my personal correspondence, that however does not mean that I think it is professional for business to be inaccurate in there advertising, even when the owner/manager is of non western origins.
Now however I find my self in an unusual position, how can I get the word out to everyone that I am starting said service? I have all ready posted ad's in facebook! On a couple of Indonesian business directories, and the occasional bulletin board. These, I fear, will not be enough. I have e-mailed everyone on my contact list and I am in the process of trying to "borrow" friends contact lists to increase the number of people that are aware of this new service.
But it still dosen't feel like its enough. So I am hitting the blogs, myspace, friendster, and the Indonesian internet servers. I have also upped the stakes by agreeing to use funds earned solely from internet earnings. And that total as of right now is $0.00.
Sunday 1 June 2008
Introduction
Ok so here I am, in a new country, with a new job and new friends. This blog is a personal list of everything that annoys, irritates and frustrates me about my situation, also the things that give me reason to stay where I am. FYI It's not meant to be taken seriously, well not too seriously!
I've been kinda inspired to do this because living in Indonesia is so different to Europe, I am having some difficulties adjusting to the changes in climate, culture and people. This is a big poke in the eye to everyone who gets in my face, and a lot of people who are just plain stupid.
Lets start right now with some of the most frustrating things about the city of Jakarta. As I have said before France is such a beautiful country is just such a shame its full of French people! Jakarta is somewhat the same, except that the city isn't beautiful, its a hot, dusty sprawling mess, that feels like it was planned by a one eyed 3 year old. The Indonesian people (in my experience) are really really nice, unfortunately nice is usually accompanied by simple! Wokring here is like hitting my self in foot, it hurts but you can still walk.
I've driven in a lot of city's in the world and I have to say Milan is by far the worst to drive in, however driving here has its own frustrations. People have the most annoying habit of pulling out into the road in front of you, then wait until you have totally stopped before they drive off! now they do this even when they have plenty of time to pull away before you get to them. People here do bitch and moan about the traffic jams, and with good cause there is a problem with the amount of space given over to roads here, . Seriously unless you drive here you really can't appreciate just how frustrating it is.
Please don't misconstrue me as hating Indonesia there are many many more great things about Indo, but they are just not as fun to write about.
Laters
I've been kinda inspired to do this because living in Indonesia is so different to Europe, I am having some difficulties adjusting to the changes in climate, culture and people. This is a big poke in the eye to everyone who gets in my face, and a lot of people who are just plain stupid.
Lets start right now with some of the most frustrating things about the city of Jakarta. As I have said before France is such a beautiful country is just such a shame its full of French people! Jakarta is somewhat the same, except that the city isn't beautiful, its a hot, dusty sprawling mess, that feels like it was planned by a one eyed 3 year old. The Indonesian people (in my experience) are really really nice, unfortunately nice is usually accompanied by simple! Wokring here is like hitting my self in foot, it hurts but you can still walk.
I've driven in a lot of city's in the world and I have to say Milan is by far the worst to drive in, however driving here has its own frustrations. People have the most annoying habit of pulling out into the road in front of you, then wait until you have totally stopped before they drive off! now they do this even when they have plenty of time to pull away before you get to them. People here do bitch and moan about the traffic jams, and with good cause there is a problem with the amount of space given over to roads here, . Seriously unless you drive here you really can't appreciate just how frustrating it is.
Please don't misconstrue me as hating Indonesia there are many many more great things about Indo, but they are just not as fun to write about.
Laters
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