Editor’s Note:
The anecdotes below were contributed by reader Juerg and reflect personal observations from his time living in Indonesia. While some details have been updated for clarity and historical context, the stories remain a humorous snapshot of expatriate life and cultural discoveries in Indonesia.
Swastika
On a recent trip to Bandung there was one thing that particularly caught my attention. While browsing through the various street stores, I discovered a flag shop. One of the large flags on display was—hold your breath—the swastika flag.
For many Western visitors, encountering this symbol can be surprising and even shocking. However, it is important to understand that the swastika has a much longer history in Asia than it does in Europe. The symbol has been used for thousands of years in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, where it traditionally represents concepts such as good fortune, prosperity, and spirituality.
While the Nazi regime adopted a version of the swastika in the twentieth century, the religious symbol found throughout Asia has entirely different origins and meanings. Visitors unfamiliar with its traditional use may occasionally encounter it in temples, artwork, religious ceremonies, or even commercial settings.
An Austrian envoy in Jakarta once told me that while attending an international conference in Hong Kong, one of the students assigned to greet her at the airport was wearing a T-shirt featuring a swastika. It turned out the student was completely unaware of the association many Europeans make with the symbol. Apparently, she was not the only one.
Cross-cultural misunderstandings can happen in both directions, and this is one example of how symbols can carry very different meanings depending on where you are in the world.
Sexy Story
Fortunately, there are also funnier things to report.
When our Canadian trainee Jennifer was attending one of her company’s social events, all of the employees were asked to briefly introduce themselves. To her surprise, each person mentioned that they were “sexy.”
Unsure whether she had misunderstood something, she tried to remain as cool as possible when it was her turn. She simply stated her name and country of origin.
To her discomfort, someone immediately asked:
“Sexy?”
Wanting to play along, she confidently answered:
“Yes!”
After everyone had a good laugh, she finally discovered what they had actually been asking. They wanted to know her seksi—the Indonesian word commonly used to refer to a department, division, or work section within an organization.
It was one of those classic language mix-ups that expatriates often experience.
To this day, however, everybody at the office still remembers her as “Sexy Jenny.”
Wet Season
Lately, I’ve become increasingly aware of what people mean when they talk about the “wet season.”
This week we didn’t see the sun for four consecutive days and experienced what felt like endless rain. During Jakarta’s rainy season, daily routines often revolve around waiting for downpours to pass, finding shelter under an awning, or timing your trip between storms.
Years ago, it was common to see street children appear with oversized umbrellas outside office towers as soon as the rain started. For a small tip they would escort office workers to their cars or taxis. While that sight is less common today, it remains one of those memorable images from Jakarta life.
Fortunately, the nearest warung (small local food stall) is just around the corner from my boarding house. There I can get everything from nasi goreng—my rediscovered favourite fried rice—to soto ayam and fresh kelapa muda (young coconut) complete with its delicious juice.
Of course, if the rain is really pouring down in buckets, even a short walk can seem like an expedition and dinner may have to wait.
For now, however, the sun is back out and the swimming pool is calling.
Our thanks to Juerg for sharing a few of his experiences and observations of life in Indonesia with our readers.
© Juerg
