A Western mentality in a Balinese society
Human beings can be their own worst enemy. People who seemingly have everything, often have the ability to screw things up for themselves, or talk themselves into believing they’ve got the short end of the wedge.
Westerners living in Bali, complain to me endlessly, about how the locals do not think enough about the future. ‘They don’t even worry about tommorow, they just care about the immediate moment’, people say. Seems like an ideal way to live, if you can get away with it, I reckon. Someone said that one reason westerners seem preoccupied with the future, and Balinese live in the moment, is historical. In Europe, people had to plan for the winter, otherwise they’d starve, while in Bali, people could pick the fruit of the trees all year round. That may be part of it, but I think there are greater reasons.
Living in the moment, or living for the future, can be interpreted in different ways. Your typical westerner, is mildy / non-religious and thinks they have this one life to live. Planning the ‘ideal future’, and spending tremendous mental energy worrying about it, is a western trait. The Balinese on the other hand are deeply religious, and believe the next life is what they are living for. With no need or expectation, to reach some peak of lifetime achivement / status / financial wealth, etc. the moment is to be enjoyed, hence all the locals hanging out, smiling and seemingly living an okay life.
Now I will concede, that when a Balinese person gets educated, they start to see ways to ‘get ahead’ in this lifetime, often adopting some of the western mentality. Add to this, when a person equates themselves with their wealth / creations, they are buying into the whole ego identity and must strive hard to protect it. Now, what other people say about their creations, status, wealth is important, something to worry sbout. I think in the big picture, the Balinese may be able to teach westerners a lesson.
By Nick | Permalink
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Hi Nick,
Very interesting and good opinion, althou have been discussed (debated) a lot since the “beginning of time”. I am an Indonesian (48) and spent some time abroad, childhood in Poland (2nd to 6th grade, 4 years) and first puberty in Denmark (5 years, university). I don’t see very much difference in the way westerners and us easterners think, and if there is any difference, it is definitely not “work hard for the winter”. All of us, east and west, we are facing the same uncertainty. What we are trying to achieve and reach for is the same, but maybe in a different way. As a child in Poland, I was thinking exactly just like any other Polish child. Same thing in Denmark, “materialistically” I was just like a Dane. It’s true, the Balinese believe in “afterlife”, but contrary to your statement, they believe that they have to behave good in this life, work hard, be a good person, so that in their future life they become a better “being”. As a native Indonesian, I see Balinese more hard working and dedicated to their work and duty, more responsible than “some” other Indonesians. Bear in mind that the Balinese are more exposed to westerners (foreigners) than other Indonesians, so in terms of “cultural and social beeing”, they are no longer “pure” easy-going Indonesian. They are part of an “international” society. What’s left is “tradition”, and the Balinese are the best in preserving and keeping their tradition. One reason is maybe because geographically they are “isolated” from other islands. Perhaps, what you saw is / was “Balinese tradition”. What makes me different compared to a Dane or a Pole, is that I was brought up “traditionally” different. Today, the whole world has become materialistic (also the Balinese), and all of us, east and west, took part in creating this materialistic world. I slightly believe that we, easterners, are somewhat more materialistic and more greedy than westerners. That explains why there are so many corruptors in this frendly smiling country, be it a Javanese, Sumatran, Islam, Christian, or whatever. And by the way, have you realized that we, the entire planet is now, today, “united” in such a way that we haven’t imagined before: internet, MTV, cable TV, satellite, cell phone, Skype, MSN Messenger, Yahoo, Baliblog, other blogs….you name it. East or west, “same-same lah”. The demand today is such that you can not live without worrying about the future even with a broad smile in your face :). Peace brother, and enjoy your life in Bali.
Welcome back Tony…we missed you so much! I’d love to meet you one day and wonder if you’d say half the stuff you write to my face or to any one else’s face for that matter. All this courage behind the keyboard. What a man/woman/thing you are! 
Either way, I enjoyed Nick’s comments about how different folks look at life differently. I totally see what he is saying, and I am a western dude. Neither way is “bad” or “good” IMO, it’s a choice instead.
Well said Sean.
I saw this note in ‘Variety’ from Tony’s publicist.
“Tony will be filming another 13 episode season this Fall so hasn’t the time to dedicate to Bali Blog as he would like. Once his aggression levels are up he will back at the keyboard vehement as ever”
Tony I dont think generalisation was the theme but to expand, based on shall we say that Western Influences cause us to live our lives to fast. Our kid are grow up fast, our parents grow old fast, even our cars are fast. Materialism is king and the older generation die alone in their homes.See and feel the warning signs Tony, As a regular traveler to Bali I belive as collectivists they have the best end of the stick, how about you Tony???????
Tony,
Nice to hear from you. I am a westerner also and one that struggles with the daily frustrations. For sure, when a local tries to go through me with his motorbike, rather than taking an extra 2 seconds, to go around me, I think ‘these people just don’t get it’.
Bali is a mixing bowl of ideas and it will be intersting to see how the locals and the foreigners adapt to each other long term.
nice analysis.
just a thing or two to add:
for Balinese future (next life)is the result of our conduct in the present (life), what we do now will furtaffect our in next life, for Balinese, the future in this present life is already set up based on their action in past life. the future in this life is already set by God why we should worry about something that had been set up for us. Balinese believe on Destiny
The more I read & discover about the simplicity of Balinese culture the more you I come to admire it.
To live in the moment is the only true way to have control of one’s life.
We cannot control the future & the past is beyond our control.
To live in the moment allows us to control the things we choose to say, do & believe.
Now piss off as I have a deadline on a contract due by lunch, the ex wife screaming for money by Friday & A Mother who is nagging me about my lack of attendance at the Therapist who counsels me about the chip on my shoulder!
“Tony I dont think generalisation was the theme but to expand, based on shall we say that Western Influences cause us to live our lives to fast. Our kid are grow up fast, our parents grow old fast, even our cars are fast. Materialism is king and the older generation die alone in their homes.See and feel the warning signs Tony, As a regular traveler to Bali I belive as collectivists they have the best end of the stick, how about you Tony???????”
Only a man with little money would think that. Materialism is king everywhere. Everyone is out to make a buck, especially in Bali. There just isn’t a lot of money to be made.
The older generation die alone in their homes in the west??? Don’t know where you get this from. It’s more the exception than the rule. It’s in Indonesia where I see people, young and old, left to beg on the curb. In Indonesia it’s every man for himself, more so than anywhere else.
Nice generalisations about westerners you’ve made there. Typically anti-western of course.