Job Discussion Forums

[nasigoreng]

(edited for content)
There are many different cultural attitudes towards education and the education process. Not all cultures are equal in this regard. My impressions so far:

Minangkabau people i've met are very straightforward and professional. As students, they are more dedicated than others.

The Chinese also value education. Chinese students try very hard but they tend to be more shy and reserved.

The Javanese, who are the most influential ethnic group in the country, are another matter. My Javanese students are much less professional; they care more about socializing (smoking outside) than getting good grades. Is it because they think Allah has already determined their grade?

[TEAM_PAPUA]

EDIT -

nothing constructive to add

[gugelhupf]

I don't think there is any such thing as a 'Sumatran'. Moving from north to South you will encounter the acehnese, batak (much variety within that group), nias, minangkabau (my favourite), melayu, kubu, benkulu and a few others in the deep south.

Smiling in a disarming manner is the default response for most students here - irrespective of ethnicity - when they have failed to do their homework, and it doesn't cut much ice with me either.

[nasigoreng]

I'm curious about other ethnic groups: Batak, Balinese, Bugis, etc....
Any comments?

[Henry_Cowell]

I thought you were talking about "ethic" differences -- of which there are many. You might want to correct the title of this thread.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

[TEAM_PAPUA]

[gugelhupf]

I think there are some BIG differences in attitude between generations of urban (Jakarta) chinese. Many of the older generation were the kids of corner shop owners and tukang gigi who scrimped and saved their last rupiah to send their own offspring to university. The present younger generation seem far more interested in flash cars and mall shopping than education.

[Andror]

[guruengerish]

I've mentioned this before, I'm sure, but a book which may now be out of print, was "Culture Shock Indonesia" and there were books for other countries as well.

It described the main differences between say Batak and Javanese. It's a good read if one can obtain a copy.

Going back a century or two, the Dutch produced handbooks on the 'adat' of the various cultural groups, in order that their staff could better understand problems as they arose, and also apply justice as necessary.

I found that the Batak would always speak their mind and were good organisers. The Javanese would do anything to avoid saying "NO", and to me, didn't seem as concerned about education or getting things done.

The Javanese, by the way, have twelve ways of saying "no".

[Henry_Cowell]

[guruengerish]

Source: Culture Shock Indonesia

Draine, C and Hall, B.

Times Books International, Singapore 1995


Twelve ways to say NO.


1. Belum:
Not yet, nothing promised, nothing done.
�You�re 85 and not married yet?�
�Belum�

2 Tidak Usah
Not Necessary, not required.

3. Lebih Tidak Baik
I don�t think that�s a good idea.

4. Tidak Boleh
Not allowed, not given permission.

5. Tidak Senang
I am not happy or contended.
�Say tidak senang� (I am very upset that you forgot to water them!)

6. Tidak Terima
I don�t approve, or give approval, or cannot accept.

7. Jangan
Don�t! An exclamation to avert disaster, implies retribution, consequences, as in �Jangan duduk di sini�

8. Bukan
Often drawn out when spoken, as in Buuukan! �Bukan saya� (not me!)

9. Enggak
A guttural, unattractive sound suggesting ytou are trying to remove a cockroach from your throat. It is Jakarta slang for �tidak�.

10 Tidak
This is rarely used alone. It is usually attached to the verb�...want to� (mahu).

Do you want to eat?
Tidak mahu. No thank you

11. Terimah Kasih
thank you. If delivered with a vague smile and a shake of the head, it means �no thank you�.

12 Ma�af Tidak
A very strong but polite �No, I�m sorry, I don�t want to...�
Will you donate money?
Maa�f tidak (No, I�m sorry, I will not)

[gugelhupf]

13. Insya Allah = don't hold your breath

14. Mungkin nanti = not a chance!

[TEAM_PAPUA]

EDIT

[Henry_Cowell]