Seriously - Where have all the Jews gone?
The movies Hollywood is pumping out are absolute crap! Bloody rubbish.
Now some (you know the type) might say Hollywood always pumps out sh*t. But come on...
We all know, like the famous Thomas J Watson Sr. of IBM said, if you want to double your rate of success, double your rate of failure. It's a well-known fact.
Those who take the most swings, DO fail And succeed the most. So - Hollywood puts out a lot of duds, and also comes up with some gems and a fair slew of not-too-bad (if predictably formulaic) movies.
So what's my beef? And what's this have to do with the Jews? And besides, aren't i treading on sensitive ground, here?
Just this: Forget all the religious labels, epithets, politics and the whole schebang. I'm only talking about the Jews as a cultural group. A group which shares in a common set of values and a shared history no matter where they might find themselves on this planet. And one I have great personal respect and admiration for.
It is an undisputed fact that many Jews came to America after WWII. For obvious reasons. In fact - Albert Einstein famously commented he would only live in a society where there was tolerance, freedom and where his rights were protected. (I'm paraphrasing.) He even took US citizenship.
It is also a fact that countries around the world compete for brains. There is the famous 'brain-drain' phenomenon which many poor and developing, and even some developed countries experience.
For those unfamiliar with this idea, it is simply that those people with the most brains, courage and talent will naturally move beyond their borders to greener pastures and better opportunities. Those of lesser talents will remain trapped where they are.
And it is this top 1% that can have a huge impact on the progress and prosperity of a country. For example - until recently, many of the best and brightest from Canada migrated to America in search of better opportunities.
Conversely, losing that top 1% in the brain-game can have equally devastating effects...
Now - consider if one country becomes the recipient of not one country's top 1%, but the best and the brightest from a whole continent?
Let's take this one step further. What if were one group that singularly stood out for its accomplishments --- in this case the Jews in Europe --- in every known field of endeavor: Business, finance, the arts, music, science, medicine and on and on and on...
What if - through some historical aberration, such as pogroms and persecution - this group migrated en masse to one destination principally?
Yep. I'm referring to the mass exodus of Jews after WWII from every corner of Europe to America. Wouldn't this sudden influx of the top 1/10 or even 1/100 of of 1% tend to have a magnified impact on the receiving country?
Is it only coincidence that America's great rise to power only really got underway AFTER World War II?
Some cultures have been more successful at adapting to, and maximising their effectiveness in the world. They've been more successful. They are superior. Others lag behind - even today. Of course there are some who say all cultures and civilizations are equal, but that is patently not true.
The measure of any creature -- including humans -- on planet earth, is its ability to obtain the basics ---food, shelter and protection. And then go beyond that --- to expand their domain of influence.
In human societies the mechanism is culture. So - back to the Jews. If -- as a people and a culture -- they can consistently, over centuries, outperform nearly every other culture on earth, then isn't it logical to at least suspect that maybe there is something superior in their culture?
Something which uniquely equips them for success in the world at large?
Some people will tell you it's something mystical. Bah Humbug - I say. It's their education. Plain and simple.
I believe they have a superior education system.
Not this is not a treatise on education. I'm coming back to Hollywood.
It is a well known fact there are many many Jews in Hollywood. Why? Let me just take a little crack at this. After all - my guess is probably as good as the next.
Anyway. If your people had no fixed piece of land to call their own. And if you were persecuted and discriminated against in almost every country, what would you do? Think survival - plain and simple. This is just human nature and our desire to live and breathe another day.
You'd probably ask yourself, what is the one thing that no one can take from me. And the answer to that beautiful question is : What's between my ears. My knowledge, my education, my culture... My ability to work intelligently.
And I believe that somewhere --- deeply embedded in their culture --- you find this almost obsessive drive to excel. Not to pass others, but to ensure their own survival in the face of overwhelming odds.
And as each Jewish boy and girl brought up in the temple will attest, they receive a rigorous and additional education before they even graduate from secondary school. An education which requires them to read and understand the stories and lessons of the Torah. This is a book filled with many many stories.
Stories of love, and war, passion. Stories of the underdog winning against a much more powerful enemy. Stories of deep human suffering. Stories of triumph. Silly stories. Wild adventures.
Just as the ancient upper class Greeks did for their children, Jews are thoroughly bathed in their classics. They are awash in many great stories.
I believe that's why they are such superb story-tellers - and why so many of the great story tellers come from this cultural embryo.
But -------- and here's the rub: In the last year or so, I've noticed that the genius is inexorably slipping away. The brilliant sets are still there. The same A-list actors. But the writing and directing.
OK. Let me spell it out. The spirit. The spark, The talent. The genius is gone. Most of the movies i've seen in the past year have been mere shells of their former glory. It's as if the body is still functioning, but the brain is dead.
Sure there have been two or three notable exceptions --movies that were both imaginative and entertaining -- even thought-provoking. But that's it.
So my question is: Where have all the Jews gone?
Have they stuck their finger in the air and sensed danger on the horizon? Have the top 1/10th of 1% migrated somewhere else?
Are Hollywood's glory days behind it? And is the brain-game turning against America?
If Hollywood is any kind of leading indicator, the answer is clear...
31 December 2010
29 December 2010
Parade of Ingnorance! Another Business Kills The Golden Goose
It happens all the time. No one is immune.
But forgetting can be life-threatening - especially to a healthy, vibrant, well-loved business.
Forgetting what?
The lessons we all learned in Nursery school and Kindergarten.
Personally, i've always liked the story of the Golden Goose. A poor peasant gets a golden goose. (Yes - I'm really fast-forwarding through this story to the good part..) Then not satisfied with the one golden egg each day, he decided to kill it thinking the goose had a storehouse of eggs inside. He wanted them ALL at once.
But in his greed, he killed the goose - and there too All his future riches... What a shame.... Tisk tisk..
Yet - it's so easy to forget these simple, basic bits of wisdom and insight into life.
In my town there is a pastry and bake shop that is loved by everyone. That is - until the owner recently decided it was time to kill the goose.
This is actually a franchise - a chain. Which is what makes this story all the more tragic and interesting - not to mention instructive.
Anyway - whoever is in charge (and i suspect there has recently been a fundamental change in leadership. It has the smell of a the second generation taking over.) has recently made some dramatic changes.
While most other chains and businesses in general are heading in the direction of decentralisation, of giving individual divisions or branches more leeway to solve problems and even introduce innovations locally --- these geniuses are centralizing. Pulling all decision making and even all production to the capital city.
If you walk into the shop (as one person did recently) and try to order ---say 20 cakes--- for the next day, any other cake shop would jump at the order thanking the goods of money and prosperity.
BUT
Since everything now has to be made in ---and hence shipped from--- the capital city. That is impossible.
More to the point. There are more and more cases of people getting sick. Why?
Surprise, surprise --- because the cakes must travel a minimum of 12-15 hours to reach our city. And that is AFTER they have made their way to the distribution center. I can only imagine how old the cakes must be by the time they arrive here. And there are plenty of cities FARTHER away from the capital than us.
Their own (new) policies give us a good ballpark figure. If you order a cake on Wednesday - you cannot have it until Saturday at the earlierst! Maybe not till Sunday or later...
Now - remember, this is not just some local spokal bakery. This is a posh, upscale, respected place where people purchase cakes as gifts, for weddings and other special occasions.
Wow!
Knowing that - will i eat one of their cakes?
PERISH THE THOUGHT.
The goose killing doesn't end there.
The new arrogant idiot-geniuses have also decided to stop selling cake by the slice during the holidays.
Can you imagine the that? The lunacy?
When do most such shops do the bulk of their business?
If you answered - during the holidays - you are dead right.
Just to put a little more color in this picture.
Their shops have a very nice, highly refined set of relaxing tables and comfy chairs that regularly attract couples, families and friends to drop in for high quality, delicous bit of decadence.
I don't have access to their books, but the slices must have a significantly higher gross margin than the cakes. The slices must be big sellers. And don't forget - when people sit down, they buy HIGH margin drinks.
A cash-cow. Or in this case - Golden Goose.
I was royally pissed off the other day when i went their with my partner only to be turned away from the slices counter - with a Better-Than-Thou sniff. No apology. No attempt to explain or make any kind of amends.
So - i talked to a good friend who is a local food critic. That's when i found out about cake production in the capital and the food poisoning it has led to.
At that moment i was not longer sorry we hadn't eaten their cake. I was thankful. But incredulous.
Then and there i realised once more, many people go into or maintain a businesses not to make money - but but as an Ego-Trip. To show the world just how big they are.
That's fine with me. I'm just waiting for word to get out. For more and more people to be refused the slices - being looking down on as peasants who are not worthy of being customers. And more people to continue getting sick.
Because - eventually - if they continue with these policies, someone, (maybe me) will wait for their business' death. Then everything they have - their land, buildings, equipment, recipes and even customer lists will be for sale for pennies on the dollar.
But forgetting can be life-threatening - especially to a healthy, vibrant, well-loved business.
Forgetting what?
The lessons we all learned in Nursery school and Kindergarten.
Personally, i've always liked the story of the Golden Goose. A poor peasant gets a golden goose. (Yes - I'm really fast-forwarding through this story to the good part..) Then not satisfied with the one golden egg each day, he decided to kill it thinking the goose had a storehouse of eggs inside. He wanted them ALL at once.
But in his greed, he killed the goose - and there too All his future riches... What a shame.... Tisk tisk..
Yet - it's so easy to forget these simple, basic bits of wisdom and insight into life.
In my town there is a pastry and bake shop that is loved by everyone. That is - until the owner recently decided it was time to kill the goose.
This is actually a franchise - a chain. Which is what makes this story all the more tragic and interesting - not to mention instructive.
Anyway - whoever is in charge (and i suspect there has recently been a fundamental change in leadership. It has the smell of a the second generation taking over.) has recently made some dramatic changes.
While most other chains and businesses in general are heading in the direction of decentralisation, of giving individual divisions or branches more leeway to solve problems and even introduce innovations locally --- these geniuses are centralizing. Pulling all decision making and even all production to the capital city.
If you walk into the shop (as one person did recently) and try to order ---say 20 cakes--- for the next day, any other cake shop would jump at the order thanking the goods of money and prosperity.
BUT
Since everything now has to be made in ---and hence shipped from--- the capital city. That is impossible.
More to the point. There are more and more cases of people getting sick. Why?
Surprise, surprise --- because the cakes must travel a minimum of 12-15 hours to reach our city. And that is AFTER they have made their way to the distribution center. I can only imagine how old the cakes must be by the time they arrive here. And there are plenty of cities FARTHER away from the capital than us.
Their own (new) policies give us a good ballpark figure. If you order a cake on Wednesday - you cannot have it until Saturday at the earlierst! Maybe not till Sunday or later...
Now - remember, this is not just some local spokal bakery. This is a posh, upscale, respected place where people purchase cakes as gifts, for weddings and other special occasions.
Wow!
Knowing that - will i eat one of their cakes?
PERISH THE THOUGHT.
The goose killing doesn't end there.
The new arrogant idiot-geniuses have also decided to stop selling cake by the slice during the holidays.
Can you imagine the that? The lunacy?
When do most such shops do the bulk of their business?
If you answered - during the holidays - you are dead right.
Just to put a little more color in this picture.
Their shops have a very nice, highly refined set of relaxing tables and comfy chairs that regularly attract couples, families and friends to drop in for high quality, delicous bit of decadence.
I don't have access to their books, but the slices must have a significantly higher gross margin than the cakes. The slices must be big sellers. And don't forget - when people sit down, they buy HIGH margin drinks.
A cash-cow. Or in this case - Golden Goose.
I was royally pissed off the other day when i went their with my partner only to be turned away from the slices counter - with a Better-Than-Thou sniff. No apology. No attempt to explain or make any kind of amends.
So - i talked to a good friend who is a local food critic. That's when i found out about cake production in the capital and the food poisoning it has led to.
At that moment i was not longer sorry we hadn't eaten their cake. I was thankful. But incredulous.
Then and there i realised once more, many people go into or maintain a businesses not to make money - but but as an Ego-Trip. To show the world just how big they are.
That's fine with me. I'm just waiting for word to get out. For more and more people to be refused the slices - being looking down on as peasants who are not worthy of being customers. And more people to continue getting sick.
Because - eventually - if they continue with these policies, someone, (maybe me) will wait for their business' death. Then everything they have - their land, buildings, equipment, recipes and even customer lists will be for sale for pennies on the dollar.
Soccer - Just Not Violent Enough...
I am an avowed -- Not Soccer Fan, Nor Soccer Hater. I simply don't give a damn. In fact - i never thought i'd be writing about soccer without a gun pointed at my head. (And i assure you no gun is near me.)
But since i am living in one of the countries competing in the AFF Cup, Soccer ---Oh excuse me, for the purist out there ---'football' is everywhere and unavoidable. What IS interesting, is the fans. Observing the way the fans act and react to every movement in the game.
It doesn't matter where you are, every time the home country makes a goal or touchdown --or whatever the hell they call it when they get the ball in the net-- you hear cheers roaring up from almost everywhere. A normally quiet and serene cafe. A road-side eatery. Even at the local mall.
And where there is soccer (oh screw the purists, i'll call it what i bloody well like) there is violence. Ugly riots are a common scene around the globe at big soccer tournaments. Police by the thousands arrayed in anti-riot gear.
And yet - the matches continue. The violence of the fans continues.
Nothing changes.
So - i got curious. Why is it soccer seems to be associated with such systematic and predictable violence from the fans? Why why why?
Why oh why oh why?
Yes. There is the occasional bit of mayhem or even slight breakdown in social order at other sporting events, but not as regularly and destructively as soccer.
Then it occurred to me. It's because it's not violent enough.
What?
Yep! Not violent enough ON THE FIELD. It's too damn genteel and sweet. Too civilized.
Remember - all sports are a proxy for WAR. Good ole blood curdling, pound 'em in to the ground VIOLENCE.
Consider hockey. A lovely sport that leaves no reservations about its true purpose or intent. You go out on the ice to put the puck in the net for sure. But - like rice in Asia or potatoes in Russia - no meal is complete without it.
Hockey without a bit of brain-bashing is just not hockey. Not satisfying.
Or Football. Yea. The real f**king football. The one where guys go out on the field to break bones.
The more the merrier.
Or consider Bullfighting. A delicious release of pent up passion and adrenaline in an almost artistic way...
Lately, the Wussbags have had some success in banning this ancient, and sublime pastime. But that's a subject for another post.
Oh and lest i leave out Boxing. What could be more straight-forward. Two human being duking it out till one of em drops. Simple. Beautiful.
Lastly, let's talk about the granddaddy of them all : The Gladiators.
Have you ever heard about a riot or insurrection during or after a contest between gladiators?
Of course not. Because there is satisfaction. One man is down at the end. Never to rise again....
So I say - if you want to head-off, curtail and even avoid the violence OFF the field, provide the adequate and necessary blood curdling, brain-bashing, bone breaking, spear through the torso kind of violence ON THE FIELD.
Plain and simple. Play a real sport or reform soccer to be a true proxy for war. VIVA LA VIOLENCE!
But since i am living in one of the countries competing in the AFF Cup, Soccer ---Oh excuse me, for the purist out there ---'football' is everywhere and unavoidable. What IS interesting, is the fans. Observing the way the fans act and react to every movement in the game.
It doesn't matter where you are, every time the home country makes a goal or touchdown --or whatever the hell they call it when they get the ball in the net-- you hear cheers roaring up from almost everywhere. A normally quiet and serene cafe. A road-side eatery. Even at the local mall.
And where there is soccer (oh screw the purists, i'll call it what i bloody well like) there is violence. Ugly riots are a common scene around the globe at big soccer tournaments. Police by the thousands arrayed in anti-riot gear.
And yet - the matches continue. The violence of the fans continues.
Nothing changes.
So - i got curious. Why is it soccer seems to be associated with such systematic and predictable violence from the fans? Why why why?
Why oh why oh why?
Yes. There is the occasional bit of mayhem or even slight breakdown in social order at other sporting events, but not as regularly and destructively as soccer.
Then it occurred to me. It's because it's not violent enough.
What?
Yep! Not violent enough ON THE FIELD. It's too damn genteel and sweet. Too civilized.
Remember - all sports are a proxy for WAR. Good ole blood curdling, pound 'em in to the ground VIOLENCE.
Consider hockey. A lovely sport that leaves no reservations about its true purpose or intent. You go out on the ice to put the puck in the net for sure. But - like rice in Asia or potatoes in Russia - no meal is complete without it.
Hockey without a bit of brain-bashing is just not hockey. Not satisfying.
Or Football. Yea. The real f**king football. The one where guys go out on the field to break bones.
The more the merrier.
Or consider Bullfighting. A delicious release of pent up passion and adrenaline in an almost artistic way...
Lately, the Wussbags have had some success in banning this ancient, and sublime pastime. But that's a subject for another post.
Oh and lest i leave out Boxing. What could be more straight-forward. Two human being duking it out till one of em drops. Simple. Beautiful.
Lastly, let's talk about the granddaddy of them all : The Gladiators.
Have you ever heard about a riot or insurrection during or after a contest between gladiators?
Of course not. Because there is satisfaction. One man is down at the end. Never to rise again....
So I say - if you want to head-off, curtail and even avoid the violence OFF the field, provide the adequate and necessary blood curdling, brain-bashing, bone breaking, spear through the torso kind of violence ON THE FIELD.
Plain and simple. Play a real sport or reform soccer to be a true proxy for war. VIVA LA VIOLENCE!
19 December 2010
SingaPOORean!
Yes. I've intentionally misspelled for dramatic effect. And to make a point. Look on any world survey of relative income by country, and you'll find Singapore near the top. It's even ahead of the US. But are they really rich?
Or - as I believe - are they desperately poor? But too full of their own arrogance and sheep-like mentality to even begin to realise their true poverty.
But let's start at the beginning. I'll be the first to admit Singapoor has come a long way - having so many wonderful and admirable accomplishments under its belt. In the space of 40 years, like the tittle of Lew Kwan Yew's 2nd autobiography, Singapoor has literally gone from 3rd world to 1st.
Remarkable indeed.
But a peek beneath the surface will reveal that the attitude of superiority many Singapooreans tote about is not supported by the reality of how they live.
Let's get specific.
I'm going to compare Singapoor to Hong Kong and Japan.
Hong Kong because it is their rival in so many ways. Among other areas of competition, they both aspire to be Asia's financial and tourist destination.
And both are predominantly Chinese.
Then there is Japan. The first in Asia to reach par with the West. The leader and model for many others.
Singapoor loses to both in nearly every respect.
Infrastructure. Japan is better. Service. Japan light years ahead in its superiority.
Examples:
Take a taxi or public transit. They are not the same.
In Japan, the taxi's are pristine with self-opening and closing passenger doors. No. They are not cheap, but compared to London or New York - not excessive.
Transport to and from the airport to the centre of town. Many fast, clean, efficient options to choose from in Japan.
Take a train or bus and the experience is the same. In Japan, you have a ticket machine at even most bus stop. And the bus provides change - no questions, hassles or stares.
And if you're a first timer? Just ask how much the fare is to your destination and pay when you leave.
No fumbling or impatience to be endured.
Hotels. Yes. Tiny. But of the highest quality and with every essential device and service. And all with a smile.
And what about how the locals live? Like Hong Kong and Singapoor, the high rise apartment is the norm. In Japan, though, everything works. And service is impeccable. As with the hotels, homes are small - even tiny - by Western standards, but one soon realises they can be very comfortable.
And don't forget convenience. Japan is, handsdown, the most convenient country I've ever lived in. If you live near a major train station in a town of any size, you'll usually find every essential service - supermarkets, departments stores, banks, restaurants etc - within easy walking or bicycling distance.
And even if you don't live near such a station, transport to this central marketplace is usually easy.
How about Hong Kong?
Well - Hong Kong has different attributes and advantages.
Like New York, the people are more brusque, short and impolite. Things don't always work as they should. But the opportunities to do or become almost anything your talent and ambition will take you is the limit.
While there has been some deterioration --some will say-- since Hong Kong was taken over the by the Chinese, it remains the closest thing on planet earth to a truly laissez faire capitalism. The tax rate is only 15%. Flat tax.
Now - back to Singapoor and why I have chosen to call it poor.
Simply this. While they have sheepishly surrendered their freedom, their vaunted infrastructure is not as good as Japan. Their service and attitude are abysmal.
Call a taxi? There's a charge of 2.5 Sing $ extra. Take one from the airport and you'll pay up to 5 Sing dollars just for having taken it from the airport.
Public transport?
You'd better have the correct change if you're boarding a bus. The metro? To be fair is actually quite good. But somehow doesn't seem to be as conveniently located as in Japan.
So why do I say Singapooreans are POOR?
Because : 1. They have diminished freedom and 2. Stunted Opportunity. And 3. A lifestyle inferior to Indonesia.
Japan and Hong Kong are both freer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index
Singapoor comes in at number 82!
While Hong Kong provides unparalleled freedom of opportunity, high taxes, regulations and a repressive political system mean the barriers to freedom and wealth are much higher than in Singapoor.
And even the casual visitor will observe that things in Japan work. Singapoor still suffers from the third world manners and mentality of its people. Lee Kwan Yew even admits as much in his autobiography.
But enough of the survey and statistics. Let's get down and dirty. How does a middle class Singapoorean's quality of life and lifestyle compare with its still third world neighbor Indonesia?
In Indonesia, the majority of the middle class are entrepreneurs who live in a wide house with at least one maid. Often they have two or more maids and a driver. When they go out, they dine at world-class hotels like J.W. Marriot and Sheraton.
They shop in fine, upscale markets purchasing the best imported produce and goods. Their desserts are from exquisite European bakeries. And many of the mundane tasks are taken care of by their servants. No hassles or waiting in lines.
When they even go to the bank, they are given gold-star treatment. In short - they enjoy a very high quality, life supported by many top quality service providers.
Their fellow middle class Singapoorean labors long hours in a dreary office working for someone else - handing over vast sums of their earnings to the government.
They handle all the mundane tasks without help. Drive a small cramped car. They wait in long lines as a matter of fact.
And when it's time to take a meal out, the middle class Singapoorean often finds him or herself at a hawker centre - one of Singapoor's famous outdoor cafeteria-style eateries known for their bustling fast food at plastic tables at crowded street-side corners.
It is not Singapoor's accomplishments I deny. It is the fact that they have traded their freedom for what? And where is the opportunity or even the lifestyle other countries take for granted.
In the end what do they have, but an inflated view of themselves and their achievements that make them sad, laughable and SingaPOORean.
Or - as I believe - are they desperately poor? But too full of their own arrogance and sheep-like mentality to even begin to realise their true poverty.
But let's start at the beginning. I'll be the first to admit Singapoor has come a long way - having so many wonderful and admirable accomplishments under its belt. In the space of 40 years, like the tittle of Lew Kwan Yew's 2nd autobiography, Singapoor has literally gone from 3rd world to 1st.
Remarkable indeed.
But a peek beneath the surface will reveal that the attitude of superiority many Singapooreans tote about is not supported by the reality of how they live.
Let's get specific.
I'm going to compare Singapoor to Hong Kong and Japan.
Hong Kong because it is their rival in so many ways. Among other areas of competition, they both aspire to be Asia's financial and tourist destination.
And both are predominantly Chinese.
Then there is Japan. The first in Asia to reach par with the West. The leader and model for many others.
Singapoor loses to both in nearly every respect.
Infrastructure. Japan is better. Service. Japan light years ahead in its superiority.
Examples:
Take a taxi or public transit. They are not the same.
In Japan, the taxi's are pristine with self-opening and closing passenger doors. No. They are not cheap, but compared to London or New York - not excessive.
Transport to and from the airport to the centre of town. Many fast, clean, efficient options to choose from in Japan.
Take a train or bus and the experience is the same. In Japan, you have a ticket machine at even most bus stop. And the bus provides change - no questions, hassles or stares.
And if you're a first timer? Just ask how much the fare is to your destination and pay when you leave.
No fumbling or impatience to be endured.
Hotels. Yes. Tiny. But of the highest quality and with every essential device and service. And all with a smile.
And what about how the locals live? Like Hong Kong and Singapoor, the high rise apartment is the norm. In Japan, though, everything works. And service is impeccable. As with the hotels, homes are small - even tiny - by Western standards, but one soon realises they can be very comfortable.
And don't forget convenience. Japan is, handsdown, the most convenient country I've ever lived in. If you live near a major train station in a town of any size, you'll usually find every essential service - supermarkets, departments stores, banks, restaurants etc - within easy walking or bicycling distance.
And even if you don't live near such a station, transport to this central marketplace is usually easy.
How about Hong Kong?
Well - Hong Kong has different attributes and advantages.
Like New York, the people are more brusque, short and impolite. Things don't always work as they should. But the opportunities to do or become almost anything your talent and ambition will take you is the limit.
While there has been some deterioration --some will say-- since Hong Kong was taken over the by the Chinese, it remains the closest thing on planet earth to a truly laissez faire capitalism. The tax rate is only 15%. Flat tax.
Now - back to Singapoor and why I have chosen to call it poor.
Simply this. While they have sheepishly surrendered their freedom, their vaunted infrastructure is not as good as Japan. Their service and attitude are abysmal.
Call a taxi? There's a charge of 2.5 Sing $ extra. Take one from the airport and you'll pay up to 5 Sing dollars just for having taken it from the airport.
Public transport?
You'd better have the correct change if you're boarding a bus. The metro? To be fair is actually quite good. But somehow doesn't seem to be as conveniently located as in Japan.
So why do I say Singapooreans are POOR?
Because : 1. They have diminished freedom and 2. Stunted Opportunity. And 3. A lifestyle inferior to Indonesia.
Japan and Hong Kong are both freer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index
Singapoor comes in at number 82!
While Hong Kong provides unparalleled freedom of opportunity, high taxes, regulations and a repressive political system mean the barriers to freedom and wealth are much higher than in Singapoor.
And even the casual visitor will observe that things in Japan work. Singapoor still suffers from the third world manners and mentality of its people. Lee Kwan Yew even admits as much in his autobiography.
But enough of the survey and statistics. Let's get down and dirty. How does a middle class Singapoorean's quality of life and lifestyle compare with its still third world neighbor Indonesia?
In Indonesia, the majority of the middle class are entrepreneurs who live in a wide house with at least one maid. Often they have two or more maids and a driver. When they go out, they dine at world-class hotels like J.W. Marriot and Sheraton.
They shop in fine, upscale markets purchasing the best imported produce and goods. Their desserts are from exquisite European bakeries. And many of the mundane tasks are taken care of by their servants. No hassles or waiting in lines.
When they even go to the bank, they are given gold-star treatment. In short - they enjoy a very high quality, life supported by many top quality service providers.
Their fellow middle class Singapoorean labors long hours in a dreary office working for someone else - handing over vast sums of their earnings to the government.
They handle all the mundane tasks without help. Drive a small cramped car. They wait in long lines as a matter of fact.
And when it's time to take a meal out, the middle class Singapoorean often finds him or herself at a hawker centre - one of Singapoor's famous outdoor cafeteria-style eateries known for their bustling fast food at plastic tables at crowded street-side corners.
It is not Singapoor's accomplishments I deny. It is the fact that they have traded their freedom for what? And where is the opportunity or even the lifestyle other countries take for granted.
In the end what do they have, but an inflated view of themselves and their achievements that make them sad, laughable and SingaPOORean.
18 December 2010
SingaPOOR: The UN Welcome Mat
I used to admire and like Singapoor - having passed through its gates many times. Now - I find it revolting.
Has Sinapoor changed or have I? I don't know - but what is clear is that my opinion of it has changed. And I'm not the only one.
But first, what is the origin of my revulsion?
Simple. I hate arrogance unbacked by substance in anyone or anything. If you're going to be proud - even arrogant - you'd better have the goods to back it up.
'Put up or Shut up' I think the saying goes.
Singapoor used to be a place i admired for its order, cleanliness, safety and welcoming spirit. Not to mention the great eating and shopping. I don't feel that anymore. Now - on arrival - it feels like I've just landed in the Nazi-Republic.
Two incidents i personally endured [and will share later in this posting] and one my seatmate on the outgoing flight shared, should illustrate this point well.
Then there is the question of Value for Money. Singapoor used to be a great place to stop over - have a good meal at a fair price and continue on. Or if one had more time - exit the airport into the country and enjoy more of the same. Good food. Good accommodation. Good shopping and entertainment. All first-world quality at most reasonable prices.
No. I didn't say things were cheap. But by the price/quality standards you'd find in Western Europe, North America or Japan, things were reasonable. It was a haven. An oasis of civility and safety with a charm and welcome to match.
The operative word here is WAS.
One illustration:
It's a real small thing, but on this most recent trip I did as I've always done on arrival in Singapoor. I purchased a local SIM card for my mobile.
Though it had only been 6 months since my last visit - the price had tripled. Last time, there were phone cards available for Sing$10. Now the cheapest were 28 and 33, depending on your choice of carrier.
But that wasn't the worst of it.
I bought that card, spent the money as I always do - why? To avoid roaming charges on my home-country card. Quite expensive. Not to mention - it's just so much easier and more convenient to have a local number.
I soon made the horrible discovery that my card was being debited every time i took a call - Every time I took a call my mate had already paid for.
Keep in mind - I had a local Sinapoor card. Within the city all calls should be a local call charge. That's the way it had been just a few months earlier. And any calls from outside, should be free to receive. After all - isn't that what it means to have a local card?
Anyway - that's how it's always been in the past.
But now - every time my partner called and PAID THE CHARGES at the initiating end, MY Local Singapoor Card was debited.
This had never happened before.
And the charges were quite substantial. For just under 5 minutes - I had to pay nearly as many Sing dollars. Meanwhile, my partner had ALSO paid for the call on the other end.
UNBELIEVABLE.
I would really be interested to hear the lame excuse some drone from Singapoor Telecom might attempt for this.
And it's not just that. Hotel rates have gone through the roof.
Some might say I shouldn't compare countries, but since Bahrain and Singapore share some similarities in size and location next to much bigger countries. Since both are transit points and centers of entertainment, I think the comparison is more than fair.
Recently in Bahrain, my partner and I stayed in an apartment-like hotel. It was really a suite with a full kitchen. And a beautiful rooftop pool and sauna to boot. High-speed, unfiltered in-room internet was free. Truly - it was like a little home away from home. For that we paid 90US. And the service was responsive and friendly.
No special discounts. Standard price from booking.com.
In Singapore - for 90US - you'll be lucky to find something with a simple bed and bathroom. Forget any thought of a living room suite or kitchen or finding a even hotel which is not not in the Red light district or a hotel frequented by tour groups from China.
There will be no balcony or pool. The walls will be paper thin. And there will be no extra services. Even asking for help with your bags will earn you incredulous stares of indignance. In Singapoor, their look and attitude say it all: 'I'm Sinapoorean. I don't carry bags. I'm too good for that.'
And any other services come at substantial prices for sub-par performance. [On this most recent trip, I paid 5 Sing dollars for 2 hours internet access from the hotel, but because of filtering in their system I could not access a site I needed for work. In the end, I found myself lugging my laptop to a local internet cafe in desperation.]
But for most visitors - every trip to Singapoor begins or ends with Changi. So - let's elaborate on the wonderful Singapoor Un Welcome.
On my most recent trip to the Nazi Republic, we were treated to a shocking reception. Instead of a warm welcome as we exited our flight, it was military hardware and hard stares.
As everyone was grabbing their bags, eagerly exiting the plane in anticipation of the delights awaiting them at the gates of Singapoor - we were instead met by at least 15 armed security guards directing us to a check point. Not pistols i mind you. The had serious, military rifles. And hardened suspicious looks to match.
The area where our elephant trunk emerged had been cordoned off in an isolated, empty stretch at the very end of the terminal. The rest of the gates were empty. No one but us. And the angry-looking guards.
"What's up" was my first question to myself. We're ARRIVING. This is not a departure hall. We already went through two separate checks BEFORE we boarded this plane.
When i asked one of the armed menaces, he countered with some weak excuse about a random check.
Haaa!
Ramdom my ass!
The guard might have been stupid enough to believe that. I was not.
It was obvious to anyone with a brain, that this flight had been specially routed o this unused or evacuated bit of terminal at the very end. And the artillery?
How would YOU feel?
You're expecting to see lots of people and activity. Hustling and bustling by. Carrying or pushing carts of Carry-on. Dashing to the toilets. Flights departing. And people like yourself emerging out of the elephant trunk - getting their bearings - and moving on toward the transit area or baggage claim.
The last thing you expect is ghost town-like emptiness, silence and the excessive number of guards in goosestep with such an array of military hardware on display.
At this point, you realise this was planned with a specific intent. That of instantly inducing fear in order to produce sheep-like compliance. The element of surprise was in their favour. Planned. Not random.
Humiliation endured - I was on my way. But the bitter taste remained.
But really, this shouldn't have been such a big surprise. Just less than 6 months before we had been passing through Singapoor on our way from the Middle East back to Asia.
Remembering what a shopping paradise Changi is - I had done some research ahead of time and even reserved a laptop. We also purchased a designer bag, some booze and a few other knick knacks.
But when we arrived at the gate - even after the humiliating search and seizure, they couldn't stop with insult. They had to add injury.
Suddenly we were in violation of the amount of Carry-On allowed. Hmmmm. Funny they didn't say anything about that at check in. Nor during the search and seizure. Or when they were Oh-So-Glad to take our money at the various shops.
But the most ironic part, was that the offending item - the part that made us irretrievably bad citizens and obnoxious seat companions - was not what we had packed and brought with us. No. The offending contents were the items we'd bought right there in Singapore Airport.
The very thing they encourage people to do. Some might even say, the very raison-d'etre of Changi Airport: Fly BUY Singapoor. [Actually, I've taken a bit of poetic license with the slogan used by Dubai back in the late 80's: Fly Buy Dubai.]
But i guess it's not so much that they said something. It was the way they treated us like criminals for daring to take our purchases home. Shame on us.
To be fair - I don't like it either when fellow travelers have entered the plane with clearly too much in their hands and cause everybody around them hardship as a result. That I understand. But the point is - ours was still within reason.
Let's get specific: I had a laptop and a case of important papers no one was going to separate me from. My partner had a simple, small backpack with emergency clothes in case the airline DID lose our baggage.
Actually this is another reason I feel more and more of us are carrying more and more than ever before into the cabin. Maybe more reliable, secure baggage services might alleviate the need to carry so much into the cabin in the first place...
It certainly would make life easier if we didn't have to schlep all that around the airport - into every shop and restaurant and then onto every security belt.We would love to be able to give the airline our every item and await them safely and securely on the other end. But alas, that is not the reality of flying.
So, according to their own policy we had one bag each as laptops and purses are considered exempt. And one audacious bag of goodies. Shame on us.
After a very heated and unpleasant exchange, we were allowed on the flight. But the damage was done. We vowed right then to find another transit point whenever practical. And that IF indeed there was a need to go to Singapoor or use it as a transit point, we would do our shopping elsewhere and make any stop there as short as possible.
If these 2 incidents seem small - and they are - they are nevertheless indicative of an attitude which we don't remember encountering in the past. In fact, we used to revere Sinapoor because they had found a way to maintain a first world experience without the invasion and humiliation so common in other republics of the West.
But not anymore.
Now - this city that lives and dies on trade and tourism is taking on the attitudes and ways of its more paranoid brothers in other parts of the world.
And, as I mentioned earlier, it's not just me. Other anecdotal evidence is emerging that something is very wrong in Singapoor.
My seatmate on the outgoing flight FROM Singapoor shared the following. Apparently this young university graduate had traveled with her 3 friends all over Europe and Asia this winter. Sinapoor was one of their last stops before returning home to the snow in England.
She showed me her passport and asked me the question of the day: Do you think I look like the picture in my passport?
'Why of course' was my incredulous answer. Mind you - this was a positive outgoing girl. Not the whining, complaining type in my estimation.
Well - apparently some official sitting at one of the immigration counters in the Nazi Republic had put her through the nineth degree because he didn't think she was the person in the passport. An incident she said really shook her. And not a great way to start her Singapoor leg.
Of all the countries she passed thought this winter, many with serious problems of illegal everything to deal with had not found her picture or passport to be a problem. Why only Singapoor? Why only in the Nazi Republic? What has gone wrong in Lee Kwan Yew's perfect Dreamland?
That's a question the discerning reader will have to answer for her or himself. But as for me and my mate, we believe Sinapoor is trying to imitate its more paranoid brothers - not realising it's life blood comes from its visitors.
In the final analysis - Mr. Yew's Dreamland is no longer value for money - nor is it welcoming. But rather has become the overpriced Nazi Republic. They might as well hang a sign at the gates to the city saying : Be prepared to surrender your freedom and your money upon entering here.
That at least would be more accurate and honest.
At any rate, we will be avoiding Singapoor until further notice...
Has Sinapoor changed or have I? I don't know - but what is clear is that my opinion of it has changed. And I'm not the only one.
But first, what is the origin of my revulsion?
Simple. I hate arrogance unbacked by substance in anyone or anything. If you're going to be proud - even arrogant - you'd better have the goods to back it up.
'Put up or Shut up' I think the saying goes.
Singapoor used to be a place i admired for its order, cleanliness, safety and welcoming spirit. Not to mention the great eating and shopping. I don't feel that anymore. Now - on arrival - it feels like I've just landed in the Nazi-Republic.
Two incidents i personally endured [and will share later in this posting] and one my seatmate on the outgoing flight shared, should illustrate this point well.
Then there is the question of Value for Money. Singapoor used to be a great place to stop over - have a good meal at a fair price and continue on. Or if one had more time - exit the airport into the country and enjoy more of the same. Good food. Good accommodation. Good shopping and entertainment. All first-world quality at most reasonable prices.
No. I didn't say things were cheap. But by the price/quality standards you'd find in Western Europe, North America or Japan, things were reasonable. It was a haven. An oasis of civility and safety with a charm and welcome to match.
The operative word here is WAS.
One illustration:
It's a real small thing, but on this most recent trip I did as I've always done on arrival in Singapoor. I purchased a local SIM card for my mobile.
Though it had only been 6 months since my last visit - the price had tripled. Last time, there were phone cards available for Sing$10. Now the cheapest were 28 and 33, depending on your choice of carrier.
But that wasn't the worst of it.
I bought that card, spent the money as I always do - why? To avoid roaming charges on my home-country card. Quite expensive. Not to mention - it's just so much easier and more convenient to have a local number.
I soon made the horrible discovery that my card was being debited every time i took a call - Every time I took a call my mate had already paid for.
Keep in mind - I had a local Sinapoor card. Within the city all calls should be a local call charge. That's the way it had been just a few months earlier. And any calls from outside, should be free to receive. After all - isn't that what it means to have a local card?
Anyway - that's how it's always been in the past.
But now - every time my partner called and PAID THE CHARGES at the initiating end, MY Local Singapoor Card was debited.
This had never happened before.
And the charges were quite substantial. For just under 5 minutes - I had to pay nearly as many Sing dollars. Meanwhile, my partner had ALSO paid for the call on the other end.
UNBELIEVABLE.
I would really be interested to hear the lame excuse some drone from Singapoor Telecom might attempt for this.
And it's not just that. Hotel rates have gone through the roof.
Some might say I shouldn't compare countries, but since Bahrain and Singapore share some similarities in size and location next to much bigger countries. Since both are transit points and centers of entertainment, I think the comparison is more than fair.
Recently in Bahrain, my partner and I stayed in an apartment-like hotel. It was really a suite with a full kitchen. And a beautiful rooftop pool and sauna to boot. High-speed, unfiltered in-room internet was free. Truly - it was like a little home away from home. For that we paid 90US. And the service was responsive and friendly.
No special discounts. Standard price from booking.com.
In Singapore - for 90US - you'll be lucky to find something with a simple bed and bathroom. Forget any thought of a living room suite or kitchen or finding a even hotel which is not not in the Red light district or a hotel frequented by tour groups from China.
There will be no balcony or pool. The walls will be paper thin. And there will be no extra services. Even asking for help with your bags will earn you incredulous stares of indignance. In Singapoor, their look and attitude say it all: 'I'm Sinapoorean. I don't carry bags. I'm too good for that.'
And any other services come at substantial prices for sub-par performance. [On this most recent trip, I paid 5 Sing dollars for 2 hours internet access from the hotel, but because of filtering in their system I could not access a site I needed for work. In the end, I found myself lugging my laptop to a local internet cafe in desperation.]
But for most visitors - every trip to Singapoor begins or ends with Changi. So - let's elaborate on the wonderful Singapoor Un Welcome.
On my most recent trip to the Nazi Republic, we were treated to a shocking reception. Instead of a warm welcome as we exited our flight, it was military hardware and hard stares.
As everyone was grabbing their bags, eagerly exiting the plane in anticipation of the delights awaiting them at the gates of Singapoor - we were instead met by at least 15 armed security guards directing us to a check point. Not pistols i mind you. The had serious, military rifles. And hardened suspicious looks to match.
The area where our elephant trunk emerged had been cordoned off in an isolated, empty stretch at the very end of the terminal. The rest of the gates were empty. No one but us. And the angry-looking guards.
"What's up" was my first question to myself. We're ARRIVING. This is not a departure hall. We already went through two separate checks BEFORE we boarded this plane.
When i asked one of the armed menaces, he countered with some weak excuse about a random check.
Haaa!
Ramdom my ass!
The guard might have been stupid enough to believe that. I was not.
It was obvious to anyone with a brain, that this flight had been specially routed o this unused or evacuated bit of terminal at the very end. And the artillery?
How would YOU feel?
You're expecting to see lots of people and activity. Hustling and bustling by. Carrying or pushing carts of Carry-on. Dashing to the toilets. Flights departing. And people like yourself emerging out of the elephant trunk - getting their bearings - and moving on toward the transit area or baggage claim.
The last thing you expect is ghost town-like emptiness, silence and the excessive number of guards in goosestep with such an array of military hardware on display.
At this point, you realise this was planned with a specific intent. That of instantly inducing fear in order to produce sheep-like compliance. The element of surprise was in their favour. Planned. Not random.
Humiliation endured - I was on my way. But the bitter taste remained.
But really, this shouldn't have been such a big surprise. Just less than 6 months before we had been passing through Singapoor on our way from the Middle East back to Asia.
Remembering what a shopping paradise Changi is - I had done some research ahead of time and even reserved a laptop. We also purchased a designer bag, some booze and a few other knick knacks.
But when we arrived at the gate - even after the humiliating search and seizure, they couldn't stop with insult. They had to add injury.
Suddenly we were in violation of the amount of Carry-On allowed. Hmmmm. Funny they didn't say anything about that at check in. Nor during the search and seizure. Or when they were Oh-So-Glad to take our money at the various shops.
But the most ironic part, was that the offending item - the part that made us irretrievably bad citizens and obnoxious seat companions - was not what we had packed and brought with us. No. The offending contents were the items we'd bought right there in Singapore Airport.
The very thing they encourage people to do. Some might even say, the very raison-d'etre of Changi Airport: Fly BUY Singapoor. [Actually, I've taken a bit of poetic license with the slogan used by Dubai back in the late 80's: Fly Buy Dubai.]
But i guess it's not so much that they said something. It was the way they treated us like criminals for daring to take our purchases home. Shame on us.
To be fair - I don't like it either when fellow travelers have entered the plane with clearly too much in their hands and cause everybody around them hardship as a result. That I understand. But the point is - ours was still within reason.
Let's get specific: I had a laptop and a case of important papers no one was going to separate me from. My partner had a simple, small backpack with emergency clothes in case the airline DID lose our baggage.
Actually this is another reason I feel more and more of us are carrying more and more than ever before into the cabin. Maybe more reliable, secure baggage services might alleviate the need to carry so much into the cabin in the first place...
It certainly would make life easier if we didn't have to schlep all that around the airport - into every shop and restaurant and then onto every security belt.We would love to be able to give the airline our every item and await them safely and securely on the other end. But alas, that is not the reality of flying.
So, according to their own policy we had one bag each as laptops and purses are considered exempt. And one audacious bag of goodies. Shame on us.
After a very heated and unpleasant exchange, we were allowed on the flight. But the damage was done. We vowed right then to find another transit point whenever practical. And that IF indeed there was a need to go to Singapoor or use it as a transit point, we would do our shopping elsewhere and make any stop there as short as possible.
If these 2 incidents seem small - and they are - they are nevertheless indicative of an attitude which we don't remember encountering in the past. In fact, we used to revere Sinapoor because they had found a way to maintain a first world experience without the invasion and humiliation so common in other republics of the West.
But not anymore.
Now - this city that lives and dies on trade and tourism is taking on the attitudes and ways of its more paranoid brothers in other parts of the world.
And, as I mentioned earlier, it's not just me. Other anecdotal evidence is emerging that something is very wrong in Singapoor.
My seatmate on the outgoing flight FROM Singapoor shared the following. Apparently this young university graduate had traveled with her 3 friends all over Europe and Asia this winter. Sinapoor was one of their last stops before returning home to the snow in England.
She showed me her passport and asked me the question of the day: Do you think I look like the picture in my passport?
'Why of course' was my incredulous answer. Mind you - this was a positive outgoing girl. Not the whining, complaining type in my estimation.
Well - apparently some official sitting at one of the immigration counters in the Nazi Republic had put her through the nineth degree because he didn't think she was the person in the passport. An incident she said really shook her. And not a great way to start her Singapoor leg.
Of all the countries she passed thought this winter, many with serious problems of illegal everything to deal with had not found her picture or passport to be a problem. Why only Singapoor? Why only in the Nazi Republic? What has gone wrong in Lee Kwan Yew's perfect Dreamland?
That's a question the discerning reader will have to answer for her or himself. But as for me and my mate, we believe Sinapoor is trying to imitate its more paranoid brothers - not realising it's life blood comes from its visitors.
In the final analysis - Mr. Yew's Dreamland is no longer value for money - nor is it welcoming. But rather has become the overpriced Nazi Republic. They might as well hang a sign at the gates to the city saying : Be prepared to surrender your freedom and your money upon entering here.
That at least would be more accurate and honest.
At any rate, we will be avoiding Singapoor until further notice...
03 December 2010
Is Bali Part of Indonesia?
This was a question put to us by a young tourist from Europe. We won't name the country because we don't want to shame it.
But it does reveal a deeper reality. Because as you may have noticed, many people --myself included-- talk about Bali like it's somehow different from Indonesia. Yet it IS one of the islands of Indonesia. IS ruled over by the government of idiots in Jakarta. DOES use the Indonesian currency etc....
So why does it seem to be treated so differently - as if it's in a category all by itself?
For one: Bali has carved out a reputation and an identity for itself on the world stage. You'll see 'I Love Bali' tee-shirts everywhere on the island and off. But you'll look long, hard and wide for an 'I Love Indonesia' shirt.
I've just never seen one.
To go a step further. There is no quintessential dish Indonesia is famous for. America has hamburgers. England has Fish n Chips. Germany has Schnitzel and Wurst. Japan has Sushi. Korea has Kimchi. Malaysia has Laksa. Even Singapore has its Chili-crab.
And so it is with the wider country. While Bali figured out long ago it would be a hedonists paradise. Indonesia is still fighting amongst themselves - trying on different identities. I think it is largely split between wannabee Saudi Arabs, and Wannabe American businessmen, with a smaller contingent of Wannabee Chinese.
Second. The Balinese don't give a damn! They are easy going to a fault. As long as they can practice their religion, they don't care what anybody else does. They don't even care if they eat. Just let them pray.
And this is key.
While Bali is Hindu. The rest of Indonesia --except for pockets of Christians in Papua and Sulawesil, and embedded Budhism in the Chinese community-- Indonesia is 86.9 Islam. It is oppressive. It is like living in Riyadh or one of the narrow little 'Bible Belt' towns in the deep South of the US.
Of course, Bali isn't the only beautiful place in Indonesia, but it IS one of the only ones that is open and accepting. Consider this. Aceh's beaches are even more pristine and better for surfing than Bali, but it is illegal to wear a bikini. What a shame and a waste.
Going from (Islamic) Java to (Hindu) Bali is a lot like driving from a small town in Georgia to South Beach in Miami. Or like crossing the mountains separating the conservative Central Valley in California to the promiscuous coast. Like driving from Riyadh to Bahrain.
Bahrain is the devil's peninsula next to Saudi Arabia. Saudis go there to do such evil and sinful things as going to the cinema, visiting a bar or buying books banned in their country.
In a second - the whole atmosphere changes. You can smell the freedom. Sense it in your bones as every muscle and fiber of your being begins to relax in the easy openness. As you begin anticipating being able to be who you are and enjoy simple -- yet often -- pleasures which are forbidden back home.
And I think that's why even the local Indonesians are discovering Bali. Paradise in their backyard. And for a bargain price.
So, while Bali is politically part of the areas ruled by Jakarta -- part of Indonesia-- in every other way it is as distinct and different as night is to day. And that makes all the difference.
But it does reveal a deeper reality. Because as you may have noticed, many people --myself included-- talk about Bali like it's somehow different from Indonesia. Yet it IS one of the islands of Indonesia. IS ruled over by the government of idiots in Jakarta. DOES use the Indonesian currency etc....
So why does it seem to be treated so differently - as if it's in a category all by itself?
For one: Bali has carved out a reputation and an identity for itself on the world stage. You'll see 'I Love Bali' tee-shirts everywhere on the island and off. But you'll look long, hard and wide for an 'I Love Indonesia' shirt.
I've just never seen one.
To go a step further. There is no quintessential dish Indonesia is famous for. America has hamburgers. England has Fish n Chips. Germany has Schnitzel and Wurst. Japan has Sushi. Korea has Kimchi. Malaysia has Laksa. Even Singapore has its Chili-crab.
And so it is with the wider country. While Bali figured out long ago it would be a hedonists paradise. Indonesia is still fighting amongst themselves - trying on different identities. I think it is largely split between wannabee Saudi Arabs, and Wannabe American businessmen, with a smaller contingent of Wannabee Chinese.
Second. The Balinese don't give a damn! They are easy going to a fault. As long as they can practice their religion, they don't care what anybody else does. They don't even care if they eat. Just let them pray.
And this is key.
While Bali is Hindu. The rest of Indonesia --except for pockets of Christians in Papua and Sulawesil, and embedded Budhism in the Chinese community-- Indonesia is 86.9 Islam. It is oppressive. It is like living in Riyadh or one of the narrow little 'Bible Belt' towns in the deep South of the US.
Of course, Bali isn't the only beautiful place in Indonesia, but it IS one of the only ones that is open and accepting. Consider this. Aceh's beaches are even more pristine and better for surfing than Bali, but it is illegal to wear a bikini. What a shame and a waste.
Going from (Islamic) Java to (Hindu) Bali is a lot like driving from a small town in Georgia to South Beach in Miami. Or like crossing the mountains separating the conservative Central Valley in California to the promiscuous coast. Like driving from Riyadh to Bahrain.
Bahrain is the devil's peninsula next to Saudi Arabia. Saudis go there to do such evil and sinful things as going to the cinema, visiting a bar or buying books banned in their country.
In a second - the whole atmosphere changes. You can smell the freedom. Sense it in your bones as every muscle and fiber of your being begins to relax in the easy openness. As you begin anticipating being able to be who you are and enjoy simple -- yet often -- pleasures which are forbidden back home.
And I think that's why even the local Indonesians are discovering Bali. Paradise in their backyard. And for a bargain price.
So, while Bali is politically part of the areas ruled by Jakarta -- part of Indonesia-- in every other way it is as distinct and different as night is to day. And that makes all the difference.
02 December 2010
Living in Bali/Indonesia - The Quick Fix Document
In follow up to Living in Bali 3, below is a copy of the actual document your Indonesian sponsor (family member or friend) will need to submit to obtain a Sosial Budaya/ Family Visit Visa.
This is the visa that will get you into the country for 60 days and which is renewable --in country-- up to 4 times thereafter for a total of 180 days maximum.
The highlighted parts need to be customized to your situation. Ie your name, your relationship to the sponsor and at which embassy or consulate abroad you're getting your visa processed.
This is an example of an Indonesian wife sponsoring her foreign husband.
This is the visa that will get you into the country for 60 days and which is renewable --in country-- up to 4 times thereafter for a total of 180 days maximum.
The highlighted parts need to be customized to your situation. Ie your name, your relationship to the sponsor and at which embassy or consulate abroad you're getting your visa processed.
This is an example of an Indonesian wife sponsoring her foreign husband.
XYZ Jalan 39, Jakarta, 99999 INDONESIA
Perihal : Permohonan Visa sosial budaya untuk suami a/n John Smith
Kepada Yang Mulia:
Bapak Duta Besar Republik Indonesia
Up. Bapak Kepala Bidang Imigrasi
di Singapura
Bapak Duta Besar Republik Indonesia
Up. Bapak Kepala Bidang Imigrasi
di Singapura
Dengan hormat,
Kami yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini :
Nama: Dewi Hartono
Tempat & tgl lahir: Jakarta, 1 Juni 1980
Pekerjaan: Ibu rumah tangga
Kebangsaan: Indonesia
Alamat sekarang : XYZ Jalan 39, Jakarta, 99999 INDONESIA
Tempat & tgl lahir: Jakarta, 1 Juni 1980
Pekerjaan: Ibu rumah tangga
Kebangsaan: Indonesia
Alamat sekarang : XYZ Jalan 39, Jakarta, 99999 INDONESIA
Dengan ini kami mengajukan permohonan kepada Yang Mulia Bapak Duta RI agar berkenan memberikan Visa sosial budaya yang berlaku 60 hari kepada suami sah saya yang datanya tersebut di bawah ini:
Nama: John Smith
Kelamin: Laki-laki
Tempat/tgl lahir: Sydney, Australia
Pekerjaan: Penulis
Kebangsaan :Australia
Kelamin: Laki-laki
Tempat/tgl lahir: Sydney, Australia
Pekerjaan: Penulis
Kebangsaan :Australia
Perlu kami sampaikan bahwa permohonan ini kami ajukan karena suami saya yang tersebut di atas akan mengunjungi saya sebagai istrinya, dan akan tinggal di Jakarta-Indonesia, serta keberadaan suami di Indonesia akan tanggung jawab saya.
Demikianlah permohonan ini kami buat dan atas perhatian. Bantuan serta kebijaksanaan Bapak, kami mengucapkan terima kasih.
Hormat kami,
Dewi Hartono
26 November 2010
Dream Job or Nightmare in Saudi Arabia
Things are a changin. Yep. Saudi is opening up. Nope. I don't mean they've decided to go liberal and close down their mosques, allow drag-racing or start opening up bars and brothels. No. No. No. It is STILL Saudi. There are still so many things you can't do. So many taboos and limitations -- especially if you're a woman. And Yet -
It is more popular than ever. Why?
Because for one it is safer than ever. That's right. It was just a few short years ago - as early as 2003 - that many of the westerners there kept (illegal;) firearms on their person and in there homes on the guarded compounds. Remember the Compound bombings? And the movie made about them : The Kingdom.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riyadh_compound_bombings
For those not familiar with Saudi Arabia, it was a tacit agreement at high levels struck years ago between the country with the largest military in the world and the one with the largest oil reserves on the planet. Protection for Oil. It was also at this time, that the Saudi's began the long process of digging out of the dark ages.
They welcomed Western expertise, know-how and efficiency. What they wanted to shield themselves and their population from was the evil influence of the unwashed KAFIR. The Arabic for Infidel or one who doesn't believe in Islam.
The solution? Guarded Compounds. Very much like prisons on the outside. Like a piece of suburbia on the inside. This kept the Kafir tucked away where they wouldn't poison the local population with their alcohol, lewdness and lascivious lifestyle of Sodom.
It suited the Westerns too since not only could their safety be secured, but their was a little oasis of Western freedom and modern facilities which simply didn't exist on the outside.
But two major changes have taken place.
1. The security situation has vastly improved and,
2. The Saudis are on a major building binge.
The security situation has improved ---due to the efforts and policies put in place by His Majesty, The Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques (I'm always amused by the official title the King goes by....) --- to such an extent that many companies, like Vinnell Corp., have eliminated special allowances for danger - also known as Danger Pay - altogether.
And if you think there are a lot of cranes in China - per capita, Saudi may have the most on planet earth.
They are literally building WHOLE cities out of nothing. Where nothing but sand existed just a few short years ago, today you'll see cities rising up --literally-- out of the sand. And immense, gargantuan university campuses are under construction as well.
The building boom is on a scale almost unimaginable.
Those two things and hard times back in the West have begun bringing many many new workers to Saudi of late.
And as a result of that famous Law of Supply and Demand, more and more companies are beginning to look at the bottom line with a more squinted eye. And cutting back.
As there are more people than ever who are discovering the delicious tax free earnings available in the desert kingdom, companies don't have to offer as much as in times past. Fewer and fewer are willing to pay the generous expat packages of yesteryear. Case in point, school fees for the children. Gone. Compound housing? Companies are cutting back, reducing allowances and in many cases outright saying no - especially to those at the lower ends of the food chain.
So it's a mixed bag. It is easier to live in than ever before. And for people in construction and telecommunications there has never been more opportunity. But for those in the less glamourous fields or where demand is falling off, pay and conditions are deteriorating rapidly.
ESL is one great example. It is really opening up - at the low end. Those great jobs you heard about in the past. They are disappearing faster than a footprint in the sand during a sandstorm.
The Good News: There are more and more opportunities for people who have little experience and few credentials in the field. Most companies across the board are still asking for 5-10 years experience and superior credentials - in all fields.
But in ESL, there are more and more places now willing to take someone with only a year or two experience and a basic certificate. The salaries range between 2,000 and 3,500 US.
But consider the freedoms you'll have to give up for that: There is no alcohol in the desert kingdom. Except, of course, home brewed. If you're inside a compound - not a big deal as long as you're discrete. Some compounds even have bars. But outside, you always run the risk of a visiting MUTAWA. They are an unofficial force of religious police, but who have an extremely wide latitude of power.
There is no trial. No questions. If accused, you are guilty and there will be repercussions.
Then their other ideas about morality can be a serious inhibition to any sort of fun. For example -
You can be put in jail or unceremoniously shipped out of the country for holding hands or kissing in public. Even hugging can get you in trouble. And technically, you aren't even allowed to be with a member of the opposite sex who is not a family member.
You can kiss dating goodbye. Yes. There are parties at the embassies. But that is not quite the same thing as going to a club or relaxing with friends over a beer at the local pub.
And there is no culture. No cinemas. No live theatre or music. No art. No libraries. And precious few bookstores. In fact, other than the Koran, many Saudis don't even read.
And yet - this is also one of the best things about living and working in Saudi. There's very little to spend money on.
That makes saving money easy -- if you're motivated and can entertain yourself. Otherwise - it can be a lonely place.
The economics: I found prices in Saudi to be on par with a the US in most respects. The one big exception is Petrol. About 1 Riyal (US 27 cents) per litre.
And the second best thing about life in Saudi - is that most companies still pay for your initial and annual return flights, housing, medical and all visa expenses. And of course - all salaries are tax free. The only exception is if you have the misfortune to be an American. The US is the only country on the planet which collects tax based on citizenship instead of residence.
All in all - Saudi is a great place to work and save money. It may be a bit short (to put it mildly) on culture, entertainment and lifestyle. As a result - most people head home (where ever that is) when their bucket of money is full.
It is more popular than ever. Why?
Because for one it is safer than ever. That's right. It was just a few short years ago - as early as 2003 - that many of the westerners there kept (illegal;) firearms on their person and in there homes on the guarded compounds. Remember the Compound bombings? And the movie made about them : The Kingdom.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riyadh_compound_bombings
For those not familiar with Saudi Arabia, it was a tacit agreement at high levels struck years ago between the country with the largest military in the world and the one with the largest oil reserves on the planet. Protection for Oil. It was also at this time, that the Saudi's began the long process of digging out of the dark ages.
They welcomed Western expertise, know-how and efficiency. What they wanted to shield themselves and their population from was the evil influence of the unwashed KAFIR. The Arabic for Infidel or one who doesn't believe in Islam.
The solution? Guarded Compounds. Very much like prisons on the outside. Like a piece of suburbia on the inside. This kept the Kafir tucked away where they wouldn't poison the local population with their alcohol, lewdness and lascivious lifestyle of Sodom.
It suited the Westerns too since not only could their safety be secured, but their was a little oasis of Western freedom and modern facilities which simply didn't exist on the outside.
But two major changes have taken place.
1. The security situation has vastly improved and,
2. The Saudis are on a major building binge.
The security situation has improved ---due to the efforts and policies put in place by His Majesty, The Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques (I'm always amused by the official title the King goes by....) --- to such an extent that many companies, like Vinnell Corp., have eliminated special allowances for danger - also known as Danger Pay - altogether.
And if you think there are a lot of cranes in China - per capita, Saudi may have the most on planet earth.
They are literally building WHOLE cities out of nothing. Where nothing but sand existed just a few short years ago, today you'll see cities rising up --literally-- out of the sand. And immense, gargantuan university campuses are under construction as well.
The building boom is on a scale almost unimaginable.
Those two things and hard times back in the West have begun bringing many many new workers to Saudi of late.
And as a result of that famous Law of Supply and Demand, more and more companies are beginning to look at the bottom line with a more squinted eye. And cutting back.
As there are more people than ever who are discovering the delicious tax free earnings available in the desert kingdom, companies don't have to offer as much as in times past. Fewer and fewer are willing to pay the generous expat packages of yesteryear. Case in point, school fees for the children. Gone. Compound housing? Companies are cutting back, reducing allowances and in many cases outright saying no - especially to those at the lower ends of the food chain.
So it's a mixed bag. It is easier to live in than ever before. And for people in construction and telecommunications there has never been more opportunity. But for those in the less glamourous fields or where demand is falling off, pay and conditions are deteriorating rapidly.
ESL is one great example. It is really opening up - at the low end. Those great jobs you heard about in the past. They are disappearing faster than a footprint in the sand during a sandstorm.
The Good News: There are more and more opportunities for people who have little experience and few credentials in the field. Most companies across the board are still asking for 5-10 years experience and superior credentials - in all fields.
But in ESL, there are more and more places now willing to take someone with only a year or two experience and a basic certificate. The salaries range between 2,000 and 3,500 US.
But consider the freedoms you'll have to give up for that: There is no alcohol in the desert kingdom. Except, of course, home brewed. If you're inside a compound - not a big deal as long as you're discrete. Some compounds even have bars. But outside, you always run the risk of a visiting MUTAWA. They are an unofficial force of religious police, but who have an extremely wide latitude of power.
There is no trial. No questions. If accused, you are guilty and there will be repercussions.
Then their other ideas about morality can be a serious inhibition to any sort of fun. For example -
You can be put in jail or unceremoniously shipped out of the country for holding hands or kissing in public. Even hugging can get you in trouble. And technically, you aren't even allowed to be with a member of the opposite sex who is not a family member.
You can kiss dating goodbye. Yes. There are parties at the embassies. But that is not quite the same thing as going to a club or relaxing with friends over a beer at the local pub.
And there is no culture. No cinemas. No live theatre or music. No art. No libraries. And precious few bookstores. In fact, other than the Koran, many Saudis don't even read.
And yet - this is also one of the best things about living and working in Saudi. There's very little to spend money on.
That makes saving money easy -- if you're motivated and can entertain yourself. Otherwise - it can be a lonely place.
The economics: I found prices in Saudi to be on par with a the US in most respects. The one big exception is Petrol. About 1 Riyal (US 27 cents) per litre.
And the second best thing about life in Saudi - is that most companies still pay for your initial and annual return flights, housing, medical and all visa expenses. And of course - all salaries are tax free. The only exception is if you have the misfortune to be an American. The US is the only country on the planet which collects tax based on citizenship instead of residence.
All in all - Saudi is a great place to work and save money. It may be a bit short (to put it mildly) on culture, entertainment and lifestyle. As a result - most people head home (where ever that is) when their bucket of money is full.
18 November 2010
The Always Amazing Government
Governments everywhere daily demonstrate their stupidity. So why should I be surprised and why is this worth writing about? Maybe it is. Maybe it's not.
What I find so amazing is how they never learn from their mistakes -- repeating them over and over and over again. Each time they are white-faced with surprise.
The story today in all honesty could be from almost anywhere. So don't let the foreign names throw you. The Indonesian government deems it necessary to subsidize the price of petrol among other things. Fine. As they wish.
Today the news channels in Indonesia are all abuzz. Apparently the state owned petroleum company (and only authorized, legal distributor) of petrol has recently introduced a NON-subsidized line of petrol as well.
The way the system works - anybody - whether they live on $2 or $200/day can pull up to the pumps and fill up at the lower price. About 50 cents US/liter.
But picture this. You now have the choice when you roll up to the pumps to choose between the subsidized and the non-subsidized.
Stop just a minute and ask yourself (because obviously the government didn't ever think this through): Who is her right mind is going to choose to pay the higher price if there is absolutely NO DIFFERENCE between the two? And there is no other incentive or element of coercion.
So to combat the fact that everybody still opts for the cheaper - subsidized petrol - what does the state owned Pertamina do? They put each station on a fixed quota of the cheap stuff. But remember - it's still first-come, first-served.
There are no individual ration cards or any mechanism established to control who is given access to the subsidized goods. So...
You guessed it. Stations are running out of the cheap petrol.
Any sane, thinking, intelligent - even self-serving government that just wanted to save itself a lot of heartache would have thought things through a little better and either announced it well in advance and just gone cold-turkey.
'Sorry folks - No more subsidies. We just can't afford it anymore....' or
They would have provided some other mechanism to deal with the dual pricing confusion... or provided another way to subsidize the people they felt needed help.
Or.... There are a hundred other intelligent ways to deal with this.
This reminds me of the debacle several months ago when the government of idiots decided it wanted everybody to convert from using kerosene to LPG for cooking. In itself a wonderful idea.
But it was the way they went about it. In a word, they had no education mechanism set up to teach people how to use the LPG tanks. The price of the LPG was higher than the equivalent amount of kerosene.
And guess what?
Yep. It gets worse. The government in all its infinite wisdom decided it would give away small 3kg tanks of LPG to the poor.
Many, many of these literally exploded. Killing many people and leveling the only home many poor people had.
'Government' and 'intelligence' are two words which seldom seem to belong together...
What I find so amazing is how they never learn from their mistakes -- repeating them over and over and over again. Each time they are white-faced with surprise.
The story today in all honesty could be from almost anywhere. So don't let the foreign names throw you. The Indonesian government deems it necessary to subsidize the price of petrol among other things. Fine. As they wish.
Today the news channels in Indonesia are all abuzz. Apparently the state owned petroleum company (and only authorized, legal distributor) of petrol has recently introduced a NON-subsidized line of petrol as well.
The way the system works - anybody - whether they live on $2 or $200/day can pull up to the pumps and fill up at the lower price. About 50 cents US/liter.
But picture this. You now have the choice when you roll up to the pumps to choose between the subsidized and the non-subsidized.
Stop just a minute and ask yourself (because obviously the government didn't ever think this through): Who is her right mind is going to choose to pay the higher price if there is absolutely NO DIFFERENCE between the two? And there is no other incentive or element of coercion.
So to combat the fact that everybody still opts for the cheaper - subsidized petrol - what does the state owned Pertamina do? They put each station on a fixed quota of the cheap stuff. But remember - it's still first-come, first-served.
There are no individual ration cards or any mechanism established to control who is given access to the subsidized goods. So...
You guessed it. Stations are running out of the cheap petrol.
Any sane, thinking, intelligent - even self-serving government that just wanted to save itself a lot of heartache would have thought things through a little better and either announced it well in advance and just gone cold-turkey.
'Sorry folks - No more subsidies. We just can't afford it anymore....' or
They would have provided some other mechanism to deal with the dual pricing confusion... or provided another way to subsidize the people they felt needed help.
Or.... There are a hundred other intelligent ways to deal with this.
This reminds me of the debacle several months ago when the government of idiots decided it wanted everybody to convert from using kerosene to LPG for cooking. In itself a wonderful idea.
But it was the way they went about it. In a word, they had no education mechanism set up to teach people how to use the LPG tanks. The price of the LPG was higher than the equivalent amount of kerosene.
And guess what?
Yep. It gets worse. The government in all its infinite wisdom decided it would give away small 3kg tanks of LPG to the poor.
Many, many of these literally exploded. Killing many people and leveling the only home many poor people had.
'Government' and 'intelligence' are two words which seldom seem to belong together...
17 November 2010
Dollar Days
For anybody who follows the currency markets, now is a great time to be holding US dollars.
The signals emerged a couple of days ago. Now we're seeing the dollar making a big comeback against all major currencies. I expect this trend to hold for a few weeks if not months.
The signals emerged a couple of days ago. Now we're seeing the dollar making a big comeback against all major currencies. I expect this trend to hold for a few weeks if not months.
16 November 2010
Thinking of Living in Bali? 3
So you've come to Indonesia, fallen in love with it and decided you want to live here long term?
Or you're a foreign man married to an Indonesian woman, but have just discovered that affords you zero rights.
Bottom line, you are not welcome in her country... What to do?
There are several ways to approach this. And strangely enough - none of them require you to be married to an Indonesian.
They are open to anyone.
That is to say - any marriage (by a foreign man to an Indonesian woman) is absolutely meaningless to the Indonesian government.
One is temporary and 3 are more permanent.
The first is what is known as a Sosial Budaya/Family Visit Visa.
This is a visa designed to allow you to soak up the culture or visit family for up to 6 months.
All you need is an Indonesian to sponsor you. Someone willing to submit some papers guaranteeing the government they will be responsible for you.
You don't have to be related. Travel agents are often willing to do this.
And getting this visa at most Indonesian embassies abroad is not too difficult. Note: You must get this while OUTSIDE Indonesia.
You'll need to present a valid return ticket to Indonesia and pay a small fee - about US$40.
And if you are passing through Singapore, there are visa agents who will do all the hard work for you - usually the same day. The fee is about S$200.
They initially grant it for 60 days. Then you'll need to renew it --in country-- every 30 days thereafter.
Simple enough in theory. The trouble is - someone has to go once to drop off the application.
Remember the lines at immigration offices in most countries? This is no different.
If you, your friend or family member do it yourself,
there will be at least one more trip to pick it up. And a fee of Rp250,000 (US$27)
Or again - there are agents who will take care of this for you. Expect fees to start around Rp1,000,000
(US$112)
Be forewarned though - on the last 2 renewals (month 5 & 6), the immigration officials become less and less kind.
They begin requiring supplementary documentation which must be signed off on at the Law Courts. Another government office.
It is not unheard of to be asked for a bribe at this juncture.
A Note about corruption. Indonesia is on the mend. In the last 5 years, it has gone from nearly the bottom of the list, to the middle now.
But it is still unimaginably corrupt by Westerner standards.
Corruption Index:
http://www.worldaudit.org/corruption.htm
If you have an agent doing this for you, your fee is going higher.
If you or someone you know is doing it yourselves, it may take a half day 5 - 6 days during a 10 day period.
So it should be obvious that this is just a temporary fix while you sort out a more long term solution.
In the next installment: The actual letter (in Indonesian) your sponsor will need to sign. Then the Long Term Solutions. Pros and Cons, Ins and Outs, and the costs.
Or you're a foreign man married to an Indonesian woman, but have just discovered that affords you zero rights.
Bottom line, you are not welcome in her country... What to do?
There are several ways to approach this. And strangely enough - none of them require you to be married to an Indonesian.
They are open to anyone.
That is to say - any marriage (by a foreign man to an Indonesian woman) is absolutely meaningless to the Indonesian government.
One is temporary and 3 are more permanent.
The first is what is known as a Sosial Budaya/Family Visit Visa.
This is a visa designed to allow you to soak up the culture or visit family for up to 6 months.
All you need is an Indonesian to sponsor you. Someone willing to submit some papers guaranteeing the government they will be responsible for you.
You don't have to be related. Travel agents are often willing to do this.
And getting this visa at most Indonesian embassies abroad is not too difficult. Note: You must get this while OUTSIDE Indonesia.
You'll need to present a valid return ticket to Indonesia and pay a small fee - about US$40.
And if you are passing through Singapore, there are visa agents who will do all the hard work for you - usually the same day. The fee is about S$200.
They initially grant it for 60 days. Then you'll need to renew it --in country-- every 30 days thereafter.
Simple enough in theory. The trouble is - someone has to go once to drop off the application.
Remember the lines at immigration offices in most countries? This is no different.
If you, your friend or family member do it yourself,
there will be at least one more trip to pick it up. And a fee of Rp250,000 (US$27)
Or again - there are agents who will take care of this for you. Expect fees to start around Rp1,000,000
(US$112)
Be forewarned though - on the last 2 renewals (month 5 & 6), the immigration officials become less and less kind.
They begin requiring supplementary documentation which must be signed off on at the Law Courts. Another government office.
It is not unheard of to be asked for a bribe at this juncture.
A Note about corruption. Indonesia is on the mend. In the last 5 years, it has gone from nearly the bottom of the list, to the middle now.
But it is still unimaginably corrupt by Westerner standards.
Corruption Index:
http://www.worldaudit.org/corruption.htm
If you have an agent doing this for you, your fee is going higher.
If you or someone you know is doing it yourselves, it may take a half day 5 - 6 days during a 10 day period.
So it should be obvious that this is just a temporary fix while you sort out a more long term solution.
In the next installment: The actual letter (in Indonesian) your sponsor will need to sign. Then the Long Term Solutions. Pros and Cons, Ins and Outs, and the costs.
15 November 2010
Thinking of Living in Bali? 2
Indonesia is different from most countries when it comes to its visa and immigration policies.
It is VERY easy to get in as a tourist. Just show up at the airport, pay US$25 and voila - you're good to go for a month.
They've even recently changed the law. It's now possible to extend --in country--
for another month. Two months in all with only minimal hassle.
BUT - the whole story changes IF you want to live here. I have a theory about why I'll share toward the end of this post.
Anyway - just to give a flavor of the medieval mentality you'll encounter - let's say you marry an Indonesian.
In almost any other country, as soon as the authorities are satisfied the marriage is legit, the foreign spouse is given a residency permit which usually allows one the right to live, work and engage in any legal business.
Not so in Indonesia.
Here if you are a foreign woman, married to an Indonesian man - all is well. He can sponsor you and you're legal-spegal.
But, if the marriage is between a foreign man an and Indonesia woman --- well --- let's just say they place a different value on women to men.
A woman can NOT sponsor a foreign husband. As unbelievable as it sounds, that's the law.
This is why most Indonesian women who marry foreigners choose to live abroad.
By the way - Singapore - which shares a similar Malay culture to Indonesia, abolished a similar law in the early 90's. Singaporian women are now on an equal footing with men.
The reason: The Singapore government realised it was losing many of its best and brightest women because of that law.
There are a number of ways to work around this problem, but they are a headache to say the least.
Now my theory about why? Actually this came straight from the proverbial horse's mouth. A government official recently admitted the reason is because they are afraid all the foreign men will come and take away all the high paying jobs. Go figure.
Next time: Ways to work around the problem...
It is VERY easy to get in as a tourist. Just show up at the airport, pay US$25 and voila - you're good to go for a month.
They've even recently changed the law. It's now possible to extend --in country--
for another month. Two months in all with only minimal hassle.
BUT - the whole story changes IF you want to live here. I have a theory about why I'll share toward the end of this post.
Anyway - just to give a flavor of the medieval mentality you'll encounter - let's say you marry an Indonesian.
In almost any other country, as soon as the authorities are satisfied the marriage is legit, the foreign spouse is given a residency permit which usually allows one the right to live, work and engage in any legal business.
Not so in Indonesia.
Here if you are a foreign woman, married to an Indonesian man - all is well. He can sponsor you and you're legal-spegal.
But, if the marriage is between a foreign man an and Indonesia woman --- well --- let's just say they place a different value on women to men.
A woman can NOT sponsor a foreign husband. As unbelievable as it sounds, that's the law.
This is why most Indonesian women who marry foreigners choose to live abroad.
By the way - Singapore - which shares a similar Malay culture to Indonesia, abolished a similar law in the early 90's. Singaporian women are now on an equal footing with men.
The reason: The Singapore government realised it was losing many of its best and brightest women because of that law.
There are a number of ways to work around this problem, but they are a headache to say the least.
Now my theory about why? Actually this came straight from the proverbial horse's mouth. A government official recently admitted the reason is because they are afraid all the foreign men will come and take away all the high paying jobs. Go figure.
Next time: Ways to work around the problem...
12 November 2010
Korea to Dominate the World? No. But May Become Another Switzerland
Do I believe Korea has aspirations of world domination? Yes. But do I believe that they will be able to do much about that anytime soon? No.
Unlike Japan, I think they HAVE the chutzpah to pull it off. But there are several things standing in their way:
1.) They are, and for some time to come, will likely continue to be preoccupied with the North. Until that is somehow resolved, I don't think they can seriously entertain ideas of world dominance.
2.) Corollary to the above. Largely because of the geopolitical threat from the North, they are dependent on America for their security. In some sense, you could even say they are an occupied country.
True domination is always accompanied by military might. Witness the enormous build-up of the PLA in China, and its growing percentage of their budget.
And lastly-
3.) Even more so than their brother, Japan, Korea's undying adherence to Juche will keep them on their peninsula for the foreseeable future. Yes, they have the technology, but without the willingness to engage with and be sullied by foreigners and their ways Koreans will forever remain in their small corner of the world.
BUT the whole world is in a transition period like few times before.
Down the road - say a decade or so - Korea could emerge as a leading power, in spite of its shortcomings. But their prowess will be in business, not war.
If ---and this gets into another whole discussion--- what many military experts are saying is true, if defensive weapons are now in the assent and we are also are passing from the ballistic age to the age of smart weapons,
then this all strengthens the case for smaller countries becoming more dominant as the 21st century progresses.
City-states and small compact countries like Korea could have a strategic advantage.
It's a simple idea really: As offensive weapons loose their superiority, small is more easily defended. Welcome the re-emergence of the city-state. Small, agile, integrated and focused on business. Examples? Think Singapore and Hong Kong.
Just as Switzerland had its niche of diplomacy during the cold war, and still has its niche in banking and finely crafted luxury goods,
I see Korea developing its own set of strategic business niches in the future. And that will guarantee it a place at the world table of important countries.
But I don't see it dominating the world in the way that Japan tried (either during the 1930s or 1980s) and failed.
Unlike Japan, I think they HAVE the chutzpah to pull it off. But there are several things standing in their way:
1.) They are, and for some time to come, will likely continue to be preoccupied with the North. Until that is somehow resolved, I don't think they can seriously entertain ideas of world dominance.
2.) Corollary to the above. Largely because of the geopolitical threat from the North, they are dependent on America for their security. In some sense, you could even say they are an occupied country.
True domination is always accompanied by military might. Witness the enormous build-up of the PLA in China, and its growing percentage of their budget.
And lastly-
3.) Even more so than their brother, Japan, Korea's undying adherence to Juche will keep them on their peninsula for the foreseeable future. Yes, they have the technology, but without the willingness to engage with and be sullied by foreigners and their ways Koreans will forever remain in their small corner of the world.
BUT the whole world is in a transition period like few times before.
Down the road - say a decade or so - Korea could emerge as a leading power, in spite of its shortcomings. But their prowess will be in business, not war.
If ---and this gets into another whole discussion--- what many military experts are saying is true, if defensive weapons are now in the assent and we are also are passing from the ballistic age to the age of smart weapons,
then this all strengthens the case for smaller countries becoming more dominant as the 21st century progresses.
City-states and small compact countries like Korea could have a strategic advantage.
It's a simple idea really: As offensive weapons loose their superiority, small is more easily defended. Welcome the re-emergence of the city-state. Small, agile, integrated and focused on business. Examples? Think Singapore and Hong Kong.
Just as Switzerland had its niche of diplomacy during the cold war, and still has its niche in banking and finely crafted luxury goods,
I see Korea developing its own set of strategic business niches in the future. And that will guarantee it a place at the world table of important countries.
But I don't see it dominating the world in the way that Japan tried (either during the 1930s or 1980s) and failed.
11 November 2010
Thinking of Living, Working or Doing Business in Bali?
This is a short introduction to a series of pieces on the ins and outs of living, working --and if you choose to-- setting up a business in Indonesia. It will stretch the limits of credulity.
Because the bureaucracy is a labyrinth of byzantine inefficiency, corruption and incompetence that boggles the mind. Yet once you successfully jump through the hoops or emerge from the maze (choose your metaphor), Indonesia has much to offer. But be forewarned. It is still a third world country.
When I first came to Indonesia, though I had lived around the world, I soon realised none of the common sense that operates elsewhere worked here...
More to follow....
Because the bureaucracy is a labyrinth of byzantine inefficiency, corruption and incompetence that boggles the mind. Yet once you successfully jump through the hoops or emerge from the maze (choose your metaphor), Indonesia has much to offer. But be forewarned. It is still a third world country.
When I first came to Indonesia, though I had lived around the world, I soon realised none of the common sense that operates elsewhere worked here...
More to follow....
10 November 2010
Korea at an Inflection point. What's next..?
I'm always amazed when someone predicts the end of some country or sees it taking over the world.
Back in the 80's and early 90's Japan was going to take over the world. By the late 90's, it was a pariah and laughing stock. Couldn't do anything right. Or so many writers made it sound. More recently is has been the Yellow Peril or China.
So - this article caught my attention.
The Miracle Is Over. Now What?
South Korea boomed by turning a rural economy into an industrial power. To keep growing, it's going to have to make some fundamental—and difficult—changes.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704791004575519703277433756.html
I believe this writer poses some very pertinent questions, but then gives us no direction. Having lived in Korea recently, here's my take:
Yes. Korea is at a turning point. Great. Will it make the necessary changes? Will it continue to follow Japan's model?
It is said, if you understand a person's soul, you know his character and if you know his character you can accurately predict his behavior. I believe this can be true for a people as well, especially one as homogeneous as Korea.
When I was in Korea, I was struck by just how much it reminded me of Japan twenty years earlier. [Things which have since changed in Japan].
In so many respects. The work ethic. The closed society. The obsessive drive to be the best - no matter the price. The state control of the export led economy. The dearth of women in the workplace. The xenophobia toward foreigners. But also the genuinely warm, beautiful people once you get to know them.
Just how xenophobic?
One example: Korea is one of the few countries where you cannot buy a local SIM card for your mobile phone and use your own phone. Nope. You have to rent or buy a Korean phone if you want mobile service.
Or if you want to shop at one of Korea's online shops, places like Gmarket, you'll need a credit card issued in Korea and a Korean National ID number to proceed.
But I see differences too. And those will make all the difference in the years to come:
During the 98 crisis, we saw Korea move aggressively compared with other Asian countries. And it recovered more quickly than any other. This is instructive.
I see Korea acting aggressively again. Sure it will make mistakes.
In this regard, it is more like the US: Fire, Aim, Ready...
But it is their persistence and drive to be the best that I believe will lead them to find the solution or solutions that works for them -- their culture and economy.
Case in point, there have already been some notable (and laughable) attempts to diversify its economy.
One is trying to make Seoul, and Korea in general into a tourist destination. The second is the attempt to establish itself as a center for medical tourism.
Anyone living in Korea instantly laughed at both of these propositions.
To be very cruel, blunt and honest. Let's consider the tourism first.
What does Korea have to attract tourists?
Does it have beaches like Thailand or Bali? Mountains? Spiritual retreats?
Does it have culture or history that is of interest to non-Koreans? Or is it the
fountainhead of some established religion?
And more importantly, is it open to outsiders? Can and do its people speak English?
And does it even have an established leisure industry for its own people?
Hmmmm. No on all counts.
North Korea has accurately been called the Hermit Kingdom, but the South shares the same culture.
An insistence on Juche or self-reliance which resists all foreign influence.
Case in point:
It is still difficult to get around most parts of Seoul - the capital city - without some knowledge of Korean.
It is not hard to see how all this will impact its goals - like medical tourism.
Yes. They clearly have the technical expertise and are price competitive. So they may achieve some limited success, but they will only become a destination if they can offer something India, Thailand and Singapore do not.
Another example which demonstrates a fundamental difference between Japan and shows just how bold, aggressive and hungry Korea is.
While Japan has tried to promote and teach its language and culture abroad, it has never tried to get any one else to adopt its writing system for use in their own language. Not Hiragana, Katakana or its version of Chinese characters. They were and are happy to remain different and unique on their island.
The Koreans on the other hand, believe so much in their Hangul script, they even propose it as a solution for other lands and peoples.
Hangul may help others record history
http://www.mygoguryeo.net/news-view.htm?p=&n=34
This shows a will to expand and take on a role in the world. It is also instructive.
So what will happen? Will Korea open up to the world? Allow expanded immigration?
Permit women an equal footing in the work place? Get the government out of its economy?
And diversify away from its export focus?
Yes to all of the above. But not all at once. The economy will come first. Then they will go down the line from least culturally painful to most. Juche will be the last to be abandoned. And women will be barred from most posts for the foreseeable future.
I expect one of the first ideas they will hit on --unknowingly imitating China-- will be to try and tap their diaspora of entrepreneurs. To lure them home with enticing incentives if they will set up or move their businesses to Korea.
Many women will be among this group, thus leapfrogging their male counterparts still working for Korea Inc. And in this way, they will be begrudgingly accepted as part of the solution.
In sum, I cast my vote of confidence that Korea will find new and better ways to deal with its problems effectively and remain a power to be reckoned with well into the future.
As an example of one such way, and which I've saved for the end of this blog: Korea, Seoul to be exact, has just recently become a destination for foodies.
Who would have thought?
Seoul Food
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704901104575424473797840454.html
One can only wonder and watch...
Back in the 80's and early 90's Japan was going to take over the world. By the late 90's, it was a pariah and laughing stock. Couldn't do anything right. Or so many writers made it sound. More recently is has been the Yellow Peril or China.
So - this article caught my attention.
The Miracle Is Over. Now What?
South Korea boomed by turning a rural economy into an industrial power. To keep growing, it's going to have to make some fundamental—and difficult—changes.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704791004575519703277433756.html
I believe this writer poses some very pertinent questions, but then gives us no direction. Having lived in Korea recently, here's my take:
Yes. Korea is at a turning point. Great. Will it make the necessary changes? Will it continue to follow Japan's model?
It is said, if you understand a person's soul, you know his character and if you know his character you can accurately predict his behavior. I believe this can be true for a people as well, especially one as homogeneous as Korea.
When I was in Korea, I was struck by just how much it reminded me of Japan twenty years earlier. [Things which have since changed in Japan].
In so many respects. The work ethic. The closed society. The obsessive drive to be the best - no matter the price. The state control of the export led economy. The dearth of women in the workplace. The xenophobia toward foreigners. But also the genuinely warm, beautiful people once you get to know them.
Just how xenophobic?
One example: Korea is one of the few countries where you cannot buy a local SIM card for your mobile phone and use your own phone. Nope. You have to rent or buy a Korean phone if you want mobile service.
Or if you want to shop at one of Korea's online shops, places like Gmarket, you'll need a credit card issued in Korea and a Korean National ID number to proceed.
But I see differences too. And those will make all the difference in the years to come:
During the 98 crisis, we saw Korea move aggressively compared with other Asian countries. And it recovered more quickly than any other. This is instructive.
I see Korea acting aggressively again. Sure it will make mistakes.
In this regard, it is more like the US: Fire, Aim, Ready...
But it is their persistence and drive to be the best that I believe will lead them to find the solution or solutions that works for them -- their culture and economy.
Case in point, there have already been some notable (and laughable) attempts to diversify its economy.
One is trying to make Seoul, and Korea in general into a tourist destination. The second is the attempt to establish itself as a center for medical tourism.
Anyone living in Korea instantly laughed at both of these propositions.
To be very cruel, blunt and honest. Let's consider the tourism first.
What does Korea have to attract tourists?
Does it have beaches like Thailand or Bali? Mountains? Spiritual retreats?
Does it have culture or history that is of interest to non-Koreans? Or is it the
fountainhead of some established religion?
And more importantly, is it open to outsiders? Can and do its people speak English?
And does it even have an established leisure industry for its own people?
Hmmmm. No on all counts.
North Korea has accurately been called the Hermit Kingdom, but the South shares the same culture.
An insistence on Juche or self-reliance which resists all foreign influence.
Case in point:
It is still difficult to get around most parts of Seoul - the capital city - without some knowledge of Korean.
It is not hard to see how all this will impact its goals - like medical tourism.
Yes. They clearly have the technical expertise and are price competitive. So they may achieve some limited success, but they will only become a destination if they can offer something India, Thailand and Singapore do not.
Another example which demonstrates a fundamental difference between Japan and shows just how bold, aggressive and hungry Korea is.
While Japan has tried to promote and teach its language and culture abroad, it has never tried to get any one else to adopt its writing system for use in their own language. Not Hiragana, Katakana or its version of Chinese characters. They were and are happy to remain different and unique on their island.
The Koreans on the other hand, believe so much in their Hangul script, they even propose it as a solution for other lands and peoples.
Hangul may help others record history
http://www.mygoguryeo.net/news-view.htm?p=&n=34
This shows a will to expand and take on a role in the world. It is also instructive.
So what will happen? Will Korea open up to the world? Allow expanded immigration?
Permit women an equal footing in the work place? Get the government out of its economy?
And diversify away from its export focus?
Yes to all of the above. But not all at once. The economy will come first. Then they will go down the line from least culturally painful to most. Juche will be the last to be abandoned. And women will be barred from most posts for the foreseeable future.
I expect one of the first ideas they will hit on --unknowingly imitating China-- will be to try and tap their diaspora of entrepreneurs. To lure them home with enticing incentives if they will set up or move their businesses to Korea.
Many women will be among this group, thus leapfrogging their male counterparts still working for Korea Inc. And in this way, they will be begrudgingly accepted as part of the solution.
In sum, I cast my vote of confidence that Korea will find new and better ways to deal with its problems effectively and remain a power to be reckoned with well into the future.
As an example of one such way, and which I've saved for the end of this blog: Korea, Seoul to be exact, has just recently become a destination for foodies.
Who would have thought?
Seoul Food
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704901104575424473797840454.html
One can only wonder and watch...
09 November 2010
Alternatives to Oil Presage Big Changes Ahead
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703805704575594112825763700.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Honda Looks to Grass to Resolve Its Power Needs
This is a very interesting article, but not for its being a trivial-pursuit type of conversation piece. And not for its geek factor or
even its environmental angle. No. But because it is one more hint as to a coming seismic change in how we live and the fuel we'll be using in the years to come.
As of now, most people around this planet still rely on oil in one form or another. Fuel for your car, warmth and cooling
for your home and a thousand countless other things.
And the result of this is - well - pollution, wars over oil etc...
But what will happen when electricity can be produced from renewable grass? (As in this article.) Or when we have 100
different natural alternatives to petrol/gasoline for your auto? Alternatives that are 100% renewable and either don't pollute
at all or only pollute a fraction of what oil and and its derivatives do today?
In fact - more and more people are turning used cooking oil into just that.
http://www.biodieselworks.com/home-fried-fuel/
Home Fried Fuel
And then there are those who are looking at other alternatives: manure for example.
http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/9782
Vehicle Institute Works to Develop 'Biogas'-powered Car
But the really interesting thing to contemplate is:
How are things going to change when there are various, viable,
cheap, 100% renewable and natural, clean alternatives to oil?
The price of oil is going to crash.
Can you imagine the oil producing countries - especially of the Middle East?
Do you think they will be able to maintain their current political and economic leverage?
Or Big Oil?
And if oil importing countries are no longer beholden to the producers, how might that
begin changing the balance of power around the world?
And what about the business and investment opportunities that will open up?
Right now, it's just a minuscule cloud on the horizon. Tomorrow it may change the way we live.
Honda Looks to Grass to Resolve Its Power Needs
This is a very interesting article, but not for its being a trivial-pursuit type of conversation piece. And not for its geek factor or
even its environmental angle. No. But because it is one more hint as to a coming seismic change in how we live and the fuel we'll be using in the years to come.
As of now, most people around this planet still rely on oil in one form or another. Fuel for your car, warmth and cooling
for your home and a thousand countless other things.
And the result of this is - well - pollution, wars over oil etc...
But what will happen when electricity can be produced from renewable grass? (As in this article.) Or when we have 100
different natural alternatives to petrol/gasoline for your auto? Alternatives that are 100% renewable and either don't pollute
at all or only pollute a fraction of what oil and and its derivatives do today?
In fact - more and more people are turning used cooking oil into just that.
http://www.biodieselworks.com/home-fried-fuel/
Home Fried Fuel
And then there are those who are looking at other alternatives: manure for example.
http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/9782
Vehicle Institute Works to Develop 'Biogas'-powered Car
But the really interesting thing to contemplate is:
How are things going to change when there are various, viable,
cheap, 100% renewable and natural, clean alternatives to oil?
The price of oil is going to crash.
Can you imagine the oil producing countries - especially of the Middle East?
Do you think they will be able to maintain their current political and economic leverage?
Or Big Oil?
And if oil importing countries are no longer beholden to the producers, how might that
begin changing the balance of power around the world?
And what about the business and investment opportunities that will open up?
Right now, it's just a minuscule cloud on the horizon. Tomorrow it may change the way we live.
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