Mix and Match

One of the things I adore from French culture is the fashion. French ladies are known for their creativity in mix-and-matching the content of their wardrobe and coming out with great-looking outfit in three-pieces – plus footwear and accessories. They look so good!

It’s part of their national character. Do you also notice that in social life the French also love to mix-and-match? One can say “I’m French” even when their DNA is a mixture of German, Flemish, Arab and Cambodian. There is no such thing as “pure-blooded French.” France is a real melting pot where people all over the globe come and live together – forever socializing and intermarrying between them. It is a country where the citizens don’t make a fuss on racial discrimination and respect each person as a human being with similar rights, needs and responsibilities. This is one of the reasons that underlies their cultural growth and makes France the leading trendsetter of world’s culture and global art.

Indonesia is also expected to be a melting pot where so many tribes all over the archipelago thrive and grow in their social and cultural life… but it’s not so – or, at least, not yet. For over 60 years after our independence, we quarrel about bloodlines and purity and prohibit intertribal marriage. We build walls and not bridges. Is it any wonder that the issue of separatism has been haunting our nation for decades?

I believe there is so much to learn from the French, not only the haute-couture and football league. We really should model them for their openness in accepting others as fellow humans with the need to be respected and cherished. Won’t this country be a better place to live if all of us are more open-minded and respectful to others? Then, and only then, will we be able to be rid of separatism.