outback to jungle

Musings on experiences of volunteering in Papua New Guinea with some gratuitous domestic social and public comment

Monday, October 23, 2006

eh, yu wait man huh? - what's up with yu huh?

This is not directed at me but it is a derisive put down of a fellow PNGn who is seen to be doing unPNGn things such as not taking care of their blood relatives. PNGns see it as a trait of wait man that we do not look after those we should be responsible for such as our parents when they turn grey of hair. I was talking this morning about nursing homes in Australian and my PNGn colleague told me that when they see their countrymen acting irresponsibly in this matter, then they tell them "Eh, what's with yu? Yu wait man huh? You greedy man huh? Yu strong man now, but we'll see."
I am sorry that the truth of the behaviour of which I am representative is recognised as being ugly. We in the West think that our #@&* doesn't stink but these people know ugliness when they see it. What can we do about it?
As for the previous article, K13 buys nearly a six pack of SP beer (K15.55)! I prefer to miss out on the weekend's paper SMH, Australian, Courier Mail - which comes on a Sunday - in favour of a 6 pack.
Back to the blood relative. PNGns also adopt children and in this way this is their social security in their old age. How much more personal is this than to be cared for by kind and underpaid nurses?

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