Getting some information

If you'd like to get information on something, the best way will be going straight to the source. Alternatively, you could ask friends and families who might know a bit or experienced something that you are after. Hypothetically, you will do the second option if the first one is unavailable.

These days, where internet access is as important as holiday, you can find anything on-line. The problem is to find websites that is updated regularly. Aware of the importance of having websites, many government offices in Indonesia also have their websites despite the update is done every full-moon or depending on the mood of the webmaster.

The bad thing is of course when you don't have internet access. But don't worry as your friends or families might have information that you're looking for. So you can ask your aunty's friend who works at travel agent about visa matters instead of going off to the embassy and make enquiry.

Some people in Indonesia tend to choose the second option. Fair enough for those who consider internet access is luxurious thing. But if it is not expensive to go to the main source, going to the place makes this efforts is worthwhile. I am not sure why the probability is bigger to opt for the second one. Here are some reasons why the second option is preferred.

1. I don't think the civil services in Indonesia are helpful enough with people who need information. Although there is a reception desk at the front, you can probably find them at the back: smoking or playing chess or doing both of them simultaneously. If you are lucky, they might have been giggling to see homemade porns of Indonesians couples on their mobiles.

2. Even if they are on their desk and happy to answer your questions, you will probably be left confused after that conversation as they like to beat around the bush (my friend calls this beating around the bush habit keris philosophy as their way of thought is following the shape of keris which has sinuous blades and is becoming straight at the end, get it?). As this happens, you begin to realise that you are having a lesson on the euphemism language used in the bureaucracy.

3. Inconsistency of information is also discouraging factor for people who make enquiry. One person has different information than the others. Signs do not match with the actual facts, particularly when it comes to price.

4. When you get there, you may perhaps see some people pushing into the only counter available and pull out their magical lines: "i am friend of such and such, i was told by such and such to see you...".

5. You can go ballistic on them but must be wary of the repercussion as they will gang up against you.

6. If you are lucky enough, you will find security guards very helpful and to your surprise, they can be more knowledgeable than the receptionist.

Having calculated these scenarios, of course, you will realise that getting information from the government office in Indonesia is like a mission of finding dr. Livingstone (i presume?). So it sounds very 'efficient' to find out from your own circles. It cost you nothing and if it is not satisfying, you won't loose anything.

Putting all information on-line is sometimes not always good. It undermines the role of receptionist. Moreover, an updated-website-until-the-last-minute will be a good excuse to cut off conversation and i thought this is another way to say: 'fuck off'. You will discouragingly ask the question to the bimbo who is only interested in nail, hair, and shoes and her enticingly rebellious boyfriend.

Thank God, this does not happen in Indonesia and i'll be happy to ask my uncles and aunties, friends and cousins or pay someone else to do it.