On Journalism Cont'd

On one side, we've got several cases of Clueless, Insensitive Reporters, who get so nervous during interviews, they've never realized the stupidity of their questions.

But the other side is more confusing: People actually answer those questions. In a serious manner. No snappy answers. No "speak softly and carry a big, nasty, reporter-killer stick."

So when the reporter asked a flood-victim, "Did this flood affect how well you slept?"

The victim replied with a straight face, "Yes. It did." He wasn't bitter. He wasn't sarcastic. He figured it was a logical thing to ask. As if it was the most relevant thing to ask in such occassion. Somebody screamed, "Help! My house is completely drowned!" And we simply asked, "But did you sleep well?" "Like a baby!" "Good for you!"

Maybe many Indonesians are basically too gentle in nature. Or we're just plain thick. There could be two cars crashing each other. The drivers immediately clashed into a verbal brawl. Then one of them swore, "Your mother wears army boots!"

The other would shoot his eyes in disbelief. "I didn't know you're that close to my mother. Why didn't you say so earlier? Forget about it, then. It's only a dent. So, would you like to come for dinner?"