Oleh-Oleh: The Importance Of Giving! Not Today Blog 36

I’ve spent the last four and a half years in Indonesia and have learned that it is just as important to receive a gift (oleh-oleh) properly as it is to give one.

Giving

Indonesians would share their last piece of clothing. And they love to give gifts.

Whether it’s a friend they haven’t seen in years or the grandmother they saw last weekend, Indonesians love to bring gifts. People here don’t need an occasion.

I have never experienced one of my colleagues flying out from Jakarta and returning without oleh-oleh. It doesn’t matter if they fly to Turkey for an inspection of a gas burner or take a train to Solo which is on the same island as Jakarta.

Jay R Delfin on Quora answers the question “What is oleh-oleh in English” as follows:

The Indonesian word “oleh-oleh” means present. In Indonesia there is a culture of expecting one who goes on a trip to give presents on his or her return. Often made to sound half joking, the expectation is actually real. Fortunately, no one expects you to give expensive presents. A piece or two of chocolate is well appreciated. Or some inexpensive souvenir item, and of course the ubiquitous key chain or fridge magnet never seems to disappoint the recipient.

Hot N Cold (Katy Perry)

Yes, we Germans share too. We like to bring flowers and look out for each other. But I do think that Indonesia has a different understanding and different habits around giving and receiving.

I spend a lot of time in manufacturing facilities and on construction sites. In each of these places, it is boiling hot. In response, I have made it a mission to go to the nearest Indomaret at least once a day to provide everyone with ice-cold Pocari Sweats.

Indonesians sweat just as much as Europeans who have just landed in Bali. Maybe a little less, but they do get hot! Still, no one has grabbed one of the bottles I just unloaded from my backpack after an awkward “this is for everyone” motion within the first ten minutes.

It’s not that they aren’t grateful, it’s the opposite really. After the initial terima kasih each of them will make a cheering motion towards me before opening the bottle later.

Self-Control

This is something I have experienced in many scenarios. My mother would bring chocolate bars to the office and drop some on each table and it puzzles me how one would not immediately open the wrapping and go for the sugar rush. You guys can’t be all on a diet!

More so that people would keep them for later to share them with others.

They are masters of self-control. My best guess is that they don’t “waste” the gift they received within a moment of excitement. They have it later to be able to experience it as it is, free from distraction.

I couldn’t have asked for a better country to have spent my mid-twenties in. I have seen it all. The high society, the poverty, stressed days, blessed days, incredible beaches, neverending piles of plastic waste, the rural areas, the metropoles.

If we can learn something from Indonesia, then it is to give whenever we can and be truly grateful for what we receive.

Give more. Give what you didn’t get. Love more. Drop the old story.

Garry Shandling

Why Not Today?

Maybe you’re going to visit friends and family this weekend. Why not today get a gift for them.

You might not find the perfect present but the act alone will make you and them happy.

That works also when you’re living on other sides of the globe. Why not order her a book or send him a bottle of whisky. Love more.

D