Monday, August 14, 2006
Buy Suzuki New Smash 110!
A rather activity-filled Sunday. Our shop opened on a Sun for the very 1st time for the launching of a new model of Suzuki motorbike, a part of a directive by the factory. We had arranged for a tent to house the visitors, a band and organised a lucky draw as added attraction besides the free motorbike servicing. Many people turned up; even the ppl from the streets stopped by to watch especially when the emcee organised a mini dangdut (an Indonesian form of disco characterised by a lot of hip movements) competition and suring the lucky draw itself, not a surprising thing because crowds always attract more crowds here in Indonesia. I never develop a liking for dangdut but it was interesting to be in the midst of another culture. As in the case of any large gathering here, we got the police to come in for security.
Had some fun serving the guests and generally making sure everything was in order, especially the lucky draw as I was made partially responsible for it. It felt strange to have the workers look to me for direction for the first time, but I had to take some charge because the folks were busy entertaining business associates. I still have prob expressing myself as clearly in Indonesian as I can in English or Chinese, but at least they could understand me. I oso noticed that ppl here have a certain notion of gender-based and class-based menial work. I never think much of running about myself to get more chairs or clear rubbish, but the ppl here find it strange. The workers would remind me to let the men do it and sometimes the male workers would have this guilt-striken look as they immediately took over from me! Perhaps it is oso becos I'm Chinese and the culture here seems to be that, if you can afford hired help like a maid, you dun lift a finger for menial work. Hmpf...if I do end up marrying an Indonesian Chinese, I will make sure my kid dun rely on the maid so much that he has to have a maid follow him to school to feed him during break time! Why do you think God gave you hands and legs, man...
I dunno if our event attracted too much attention, but three incidents happened at the crossroad junction in front of us today! In the 1st one, a motorbike got crashed by a car and a poor little boy was injured. I forgot wat my Mom told me b4 abt never approaching any scene of road accident becos there will be ppl waiting to steal ur belongings and was crossing the road when the sister of one of our workers held me by the hand and said,"Jennifer, don't go there! Usually there are jambrets (snatch thiefs) at such accidents." Thankfully, the kind nephew of another worker carried the boy across the road to our tent and I cleansed his abrasion wound with mineral water. Told the Dad to bring him to see a doctor becos I suspect hairline fracture of his shoulder, but the Dad kept saying no and moved the boy's hand about to make sure, making him cry. Sigh. Thankfully tho, one of the policemen settled the matter between the drivers before it exploded into a brawl.
Didn't witness the 2nd accident, but nobody was hurt. The 3rd was not an accident. I just suddenly turned to see a man holding a handcuff and was in the process of handcuffing a couple together. The woman made a small scene by screaming and struggling but in the end things were quietened. Turned out that drugs were found on them and the two men arresting them were plainclothed policemen.
Besides that though, the event went on fine. Ko (Indonesian Chinese men are usually addressed as "Ko", derived from Chinese 哥) Baba's wife, from whom we ordered the lunch boxes, is a great cook! She made cookies for us before and they are lip-smackingly good! All remaining lunch boxes were snapped up after the event and those that we cleared away had been polished clean by the guests. We didn't make much sales, probably becos Suzuki is not selling that well in Indonesia at this point in time, but I guess our objective of promotion and networking had been achieved. Not bad at all. And we all learnt a thing or two from this experience.
PS: On the note of accidents etc, one of our workers broke his arm and had to be operated upon when he swerved to avoid knocking down a cat last week. The cat escaped unharmed. Mom said that apparently there is this belief that misfortune will follow you if you knock down cats among the Chinese (not only those in Indo)! Haha...very interesting indeed. Hopefully the worker get well soon.
Was very touched when Cheryl and her husband, my new frens from Sri Lanka, showed concern for that incident last week. She called me to ask how I am on Tue and we had a nice little chat. They are so warm and open in a Christ-like manner! And I love their kids...so mature!
My dear frens' prayers and concern has helped me able to forgive and move on regarding last week's incident. I still feel low whenever something reminds me of it, and I am truly sad because I have indeed made an effort but instead of a bridge, it appears that I have created more rifts. Well, what can I do except pray, move on and continue to love them and grow in Him. Perhaps some day, just some day, the gap will finally be bridged.
Had some fun serving the guests and generally making sure everything was in order, especially the lucky draw as I was made partially responsible for it. It felt strange to have the workers look to me for direction for the first time, but I had to take some charge because the folks were busy entertaining business associates. I still have prob expressing myself as clearly in Indonesian as I can in English or Chinese, but at least they could understand me. I oso noticed that ppl here have a certain notion of gender-based and class-based menial work. I never think much of running about myself to get more chairs or clear rubbish, but the ppl here find it strange. The workers would remind me to let the men do it and sometimes the male workers would have this guilt-striken look as they immediately took over from me! Perhaps it is oso becos I'm Chinese and the culture here seems to be that, if you can afford hired help like a maid, you dun lift a finger for menial work. Hmpf...if I do end up marrying an Indonesian Chinese, I will make sure my kid dun rely on the maid so much that he has to have a maid follow him to school to feed him during break time! Why do you think God gave you hands and legs, man...
I dunno if our event attracted too much attention, but three incidents happened at the crossroad junction in front of us today! In the 1st one, a motorbike got crashed by a car and a poor little boy was injured. I forgot wat my Mom told me b4 abt never approaching any scene of road accident becos there will be ppl waiting to steal ur belongings and was crossing the road when the sister of one of our workers held me by the hand and said,"Jennifer, don't go there! Usually there are jambrets (snatch thiefs) at such accidents." Thankfully, the kind nephew of another worker carried the boy across the road to our tent and I cleansed his abrasion wound with mineral water. Told the Dad to bring him to see a doctor becos I suspect hairline fracture of his shoulder, but the Dad kept saying no and moved the boy's hand about to make sure, making him cry. Sigh. Thankfully tho, one of the policemen settled the matter between the drivers before it exploded into a brawl.
Didn't witness the 2nd accident, but nobody was hurt. The 3rd was not an accident. I just suddenly turned to see a man holding a handcuff and was in the process of handcuffing a couple together. The woman made a small scene by screaming and struggling but in the end things were quietened. Turned out that drugs were found on them and the two men arresting them were plainclothed policemen.
Besides that though, the event went on fine. Ko (Indonesian Chinese men are usually addressed as "Ko", derived from Chinese 哥) Baba's wife, from whom we ordered the lunch boxes, is a great cook! She made cookies for us before and they are lip-smackingly good! All remaining lunch boxes were snapped up after the event and those that we cleared away had been polished clean by the guests. We didn't make much sales, probably becos Suzuki is not selling that well in Indonesia at this point in time, but I guess our objective of promotion and networking had been achieved. Not bad at all. And we all learnt a thing or two from this experience.
PS: On the note of accidents etc, one of our workers broke his arm and had to be operated upon when he swerved to avoid knocking down a cat last week. The cat escaped unharmed. Mom said that apparently there is this belief that misfortune will follow you if you knock down cats among the Chinese (not only those in Indo)! Haha...very interesting indeed. Hopefully the worker get well soon.
Was very touched when Cheryl and her husband, my new frens from Sri Lanka, showed concern for that incident last week. She called me to ask how I am on Tue and we had a nice little chat. They are so warm and open in a Christ-like manner! And I love their kids...so mature!
My dear frens' prayers and concern has helped me able to forgive and move on regarding last week's incident. I still feel low whenever something reminds me of it, and I am truly sad because I have indeed made an effort but instead of a bridge, it appears that I have created more rifts. Well, what can I do except pray, move on and continue to love them and grow in Him. Perhaps some day, just some day, the gap will finally be bridged.
// posted by Jenn @ 12:08 AM 
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