During my stay in Bali, I have heard a great deal about how westerners often exploit or disrespect their Balinese staff. I have also seen some of this behaviour, and been embarrassed and ashamed by it.
How sad. The reason that many of these entrepreneurs are here in the first place, is because of the wonderful atmosphere and environment created by the culture of regular ceremonies and offerings. The very people who create the joy and beauty of this island can be potentially denied employment, because they don’t ‘fit in’ with our secular way of working.
I wonder whether Bali would remain ‘Paradise Island’ if the local people stopped their religious practices and simply slotted into our western way of life? Denying people their spirituality can be a recipe for disaster. Poverty of spirit can be far more damaging than poverty of goods and money. We only have to look at Australia’s indigenous problems to see that….
Nevertheless, I have also met some westerners who do remember that “we are guests in their land”, and who do appreciate that the ceremonies are an integral part of this island. These are people that have come to live here, and enjoy the people they have come to live amongst. When this occurs the result is almost tangible. I believe, as a customer, I can tell if the staff has a boss who cares for them and respects them. To me it is noticeable in the behaviour of the staff towards customers and towards each other.
An example of this in action can be seen at a quirky little eatery just off the beach, in Jln Benasari, near Kuta Food Court. The atmosphere between the staff and the business owner of the Utopia restaurant is obviously one of mutual respect. In fact the boss refers to them as ‘the team’, rather than as his staff. This creates confidence and a desire to please, which spills out onto the street, as ‘the team’ engage with surfers, swimmers and walkers in a rather unusual way….
Instead of holding menus out to read, they offer a hand held shower to passersby, washing sandy feet and surfboards, and generally having a laugh and joke with all and sundry. There is no charge for this ‘cleansing’, and no pressure to buy anything. The staff seems genuinely happy using this as a way of meeting, and chatting with, the regular ‘footwash and boardwash customers’. The boss is happy because his team is not standing around bored and aimless, even at times when the café is quiet.
Dirk, the delightful and slightly eccentric Belgian owner, may also have established the first Surf Board Hotel in Kuta? There is no charge for leaving your board on the wall rack whilst you go for a rest, or do some shopping perhaps. On your return, your board will be exactly where you left it. No need to keep returning to your hotel to drop the board somewhere safe, when you can check it into the Surf Board Hotel…..
I enjoy going to places like this. I feel comfortable in this type of atmosphere. I like the fact that the owner helps his staff out if they get sick. When I go there to alone, one of the staff is just as likely to pull up a chair for a chat, as the boss. Not everyone would like this style, but I love it! (It also helps me improve my Bahasa Indonesian).
Speaking of chatting with the locals, the more time I spend getting to know the Balinese people, the more I find myself laughing. Their logic and reasoning is so straightforward and simple - but there is lots of potential for misunderstanding!
A couple of months ago, when I had injured my leg, my Balinese friend, Ketut, was keeping some herbs in my fridge, to be used for making compresses to reduce the swelling. I had also put a couple of probiotic drinks in the fridge, as I also had an upset tummy. I drank one before I went to bed; and when I had to get up in the night I looked for the other one.
It wasn’t there. I knew exactly where I had put it, but thinking that Ketut must have moved it, I emptied everything out. No luck. A complete mystery. I had definitely only drunk one.
The next morning, when Ketut arrived, I asked about the probiotic. Had he seen it? Did he know what happened to it. With a huge smile he announced “Yes I drank it”.
I was amazed. “But why didn’t you ask me first?” “Oh that’s easy. Because you might have said no!”
You can’t argue with that logic.
I have now completed two stints of volunteer work in Bali. My first role was with East Bali Poverty Project, and the latest was for IDEP based in Ubud. For IDEP, I have been editing and proofreading a disaster management manual. (Disasters seem to be my specialty!) During this time I have traveled extensively around Bali, spending time mostly with Balinese.
To contact me: lizhayes2007@yahoo.com.au or
phone 081 337 903 937.
