I’ve had it in my mind to write a post about this for a while. So much of what is written on this, or any other forum on Bali accentuates the positive. To maintain balance, some “pet peeves” should be discussed from time to time. Join in and share yours. Here are a few of mine, offered in no particular order:
1) Rules of the road, or more appropriately, the lack thereof.
This is broad brushed and encompasses everything from failing to yield the right of way, failing to yield to emergency vehicles, in particular ambulances, to allowing kids to drive motorbikes. Kids driving motorbikes really drives me nuts...no pun intended.
I’ve noted over the years that once a Balinese takes the wheel of a car, or jumps on a motorbike, a metamorphosis occurs. When engaged in such activity, a complete disregard for their own safely, or the safety of others seems to overwhelm them. These otherwise kind, gentle, and polite people seem to be seized in some sort of Kamikaze trance, convinced that they are invincible to death or injury.
2) Ceremony, ceremony, ceremony.
As I am married into a Balinese family, this is more of a personal issue for me. In truth, it’s kind of a “love/hate” relationship and often enough a cause of personal frustration. It seems every time I turn around it is yet another full moon, another new moon, another Kliwon, another otonon, another Galungan, another Kuningan, another Nyepi, another 3 day ceremony at one of our six village temples, visits to the high priest for holy water.....endless, and forever endless.
While my wife and her family never press me to participate, nor do they attempt to impart the slightest guilt when I don’t....the fact is, it is that alone which makes me feel so guilty when I don’t! This must be some sort of Balinese voodoo magic or reverse psychology being played on me?
The truth be told, on all of the many occasions when I drop what I am doing...largely involved in supporting my family...clean myself up, get dressed and go, I am always happy that I participated. While adapting to Balinese life and culture, this has truly been my greatest challenge.
3) Total lack of urgency.
This is another source of great frustration for me personally. This topic encompasses everything from being timely with keeping appointments, to understanding the word, “now.” You would think in all these years of living on Bali I would have learned to never use the word “now” on a Balinese. If you say “now” to a Balinese, you have most certainly invited them to do whatever it is you requested to be expedient, on their time, and whenever they decide the time is right. The same goes for the word, “hurry.” Here, “hurry” means, “engage the slow motion mode.” Again, this is another cultural void that I have found difficult to manage with a smile.
OK, there are three of mine. I’ve tried to present them in a semi-humorous manner, as let’s face it, these little things, when viewed within the big picture of life on Bali, don’t add up to squat. But! They can be fun to talk about.
1) Rules of the road, or more appropriately, the lack thereof.
This is broad brushed and encompasses everything from failing to yield the right of way, failing to yield to emergency vehicles, in particular ambulances, to allowing kids to drive motorbikes. Kids driving motorbikes really drives me nuts...no pun intended.
I’ve noted over the years that once a Balinese takes the wheel of a car, or jumps on a motorbike, a metamorphosis occurs. When engaged in such activity, a complete disregard for their own safely, or the safety of others seems to overwhelm them. These otherwise kind, gentle, and polite people seem to be seized in some sort of Kamikaze trance, convinced that they are invincible to death or injury.
2) Ceremony, ceremony, ceremony.
As I am married into a Balinese family, this is more of a personal issue for me. In truth, it’s kind of a “love/hate” relationship and often enough a cause of personal frustration. It seems every time I turn around it is yet another full moon, another new moon, another Kliwon, another otonon, another Galungan, another Kuningan, another Nyepi, another 3 day ceremony at one of our six village temples, visits to the high priest for holy water.....endless, and forever endless.
While my wife and her family never press me to participate, nor do they attempt to impart the slightest guilt when I don’t....the fact is, it is that alone which makes me feel so guilty when I don’t! This must be some sort of Balinese voodoo magic or reverse psychology being played on me?
The truth be told, on all of the many occasions when I drop what I am doing...largely involved in supporting my family...clean myself up, get dressed and go, I am always happy that I participated. While adapting to Balinese life and culture, this has truly been my greatest challenge.
3) Total lack of urgency.
This is another source of great frustration for me personally. This topic encompasses everything from being timely with keeping appointments, to understanding the word, “now.” You would think in all these years of living on Bali I would have learned to never use the word “now” on a Balinese. If you say “now” to a Balinese, you have most certainly invited them to do whatever it is you requested to be expedient, on their time, and whenever they decide the time is right. The same goes for the word, “hurry.” Here, “hurry” means, “engage the slow motion mode.” Again, this is another cultural void that I have found difficult to manage with a smile.
OK, there are three of mine. I’ve tried to present them in a semi-humorous manner, as let’s face it, these little things, when viewed within the big picture of life on Bali, don’t add up to squat. But! They can be fun to talk about.
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