In Reply to: What are... posted by Kebo_Edan on Wednesday, 24. February 2010 at 19:20 Bali Time:
(and it's simply MY view) I believe that Indonesians have a different view toward payments of fees for different services or actions that Westerners find unusual or in some cases inapropriate.
(It could be argued that this is something of a hypocritical viewpoint given some of the activities of businessmen and some officials in this country....it's just the amount involved that is the difference)
This has gone on for so long in Indonesia, and for that matter on much of the sub continent that it has become a way of life.
My PERSONAL view is when in Rome do as the Romans do, and I do not aspire to become a crusader against small traffic infringement payments, payments above or below the table at the airport, payments for additional services or considerations at visa offices or anything else.
I also don't oppose all the other questionable activities that go on in many Asian countries (including the one in question) regarding copyright or other issues either.
I am fully aware of all the quirks related to this sort of activity in Bali....I have been there 50+ times.
If it bothered me, I would not go there.
Others with self righteous views on these matters (although indulging themselves with a few DVDs no doubt) should simply travel to places where officialdom takes a more "conventional" view.
I like Bali just the way it is.