Comments on: St. Regis Slammed Over Butlers’ Western Names

By: putu kusuma yudha, SH

putu kusuma yudha, SH — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:57:39 +0000

AKU CINTA INDONESIA

By: ANAK AGUNG SAJAN SAJAN

ANAK AGUNG SAJAN SAJAN — Sun, 09 May 2010 11:45:18 +0000

Hey Guys… As a balinese, i am proud everything about Bali and Indonesia as well, please people! open your mind! It’s just a small thing then people try to mix up our mind by take the culture of Bali in this matter. There’s nothing wrong on both sides and this matter, you may say everything as you want! People, do you realize? Actually it’s same like a sheep fighting when colonial did last time. And now you may see what’s up with spiritualman? so, Just keep your way in the right way and not to hurt each other!

By: Alfredo

Alfredo — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 10:48:22 +0000

These measures by St. Regis – (and by the brand which this hotel belongs to, Starwoods Hotels) are sanctioned not only by Indonesian labour law, but also by the International Covenant on Social and Economical Rights, articles 2 to 5, just to mention one. In addition, both European and American laws have clear restrictions for abusive measures, such as this “renaming of workers” would be considered to be.

By: komang randy

komang randy — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:49:21 +0000

to all..don’t you have better thing to do???? by post a comment in this forum, only make it worse..be realistic and open minded, we all are not a saint, we are just human with lots of limitation..come on no body perfect in this world…..stop judging other people,cause we are no better…

By: richard

richard — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:36:01 +0000

cant imagine wats happening in the resorts in bali. get well soon st. regis

By: cool the suck

cool the suck — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:08:30 +0000

to nick’s the butler:

you should go back to USA then ,, the land of opportunity… rather than stay in Bali but using western name…

Saya setuju dengan pendapatnya Wayan Kaler
saya jg orang bali asli.

By: Made Keplug

Made Keplug — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:32:45 +0000

@ Nick the butler… where are coming from? if you are a balinese with western butler name than you are not trully balinese… just change your KTP ok and apply for other nationality in other country…. if you are not balinese than stay away and dont put any comment in this case coz you will not understand the meaning of our Balinese Name…

By: Made Dogler

Made Dogler — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:25:20 +0000

@Made doplank…. it’s not about right or wrong if Balinese people has western name but it become a problem it that people asked to use different name for “some bussiness purpose” like St. Regis done.. yes I agree there are so many of our brother with Balinese name still drunk and disturbing their neighbour… But thats different case man….
What do you think if you work for them and the management give you your bussiness card with “Jhon” name on it??? dont you have a pride with your Bali name??? If you dont like your Bali name just change it and change your nationality.. Bali is famous with our friendliness and oven minded but dont too oven minded and change your balinese caracter ok… (Bli de ke barat ke birit nah)

By: billy

billy — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:03:30 +0000

Hey, don’t you think we were provocated over this simple thing ???

Come on people.. Nothing’s wrong with St Regis and Nothing’s wrong with Bali…

WE ALL DO LOVE THIS ISLAND !!

By: Icha

Icha — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:26:17 +0000

Okay, first let me get several things clear:
1. I’m a Balinese Indonesian and I write this in English because I want to communicate with other ppl who don’t necessarily understand Indonesian language. I am in no way disrespectful to my own mother tongue by writing this in English (a language that I’m fond of as well).

2. “They are given a stage name derived from the most famous butlers in the world. It is a gimmick, a talking point, which is received very positively by the team and guests alike,” she told The Bali Times.

“These English names are chosen by the butlers themselves and are not forced upon them. We have butlers who use their own names.”

But doesn’t St. Regis sees how colonial it is? It’s like forcing Mumbai into becoming Bombay, or Kolkata into Calcutta. Don’t get me wrong. I love British culture. I adore Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell and Spooks. Name any Brits pop culture and I’m on it. Heck, I know more about British TV series than US TV series!

But by inserting the use of English name into the management rules, it annexes and ignores local cultures and wisdoms. It’s a different thing if an Indonesian couple chooses ‘Christina’ or ‘Peter’ as the name of her Javanese/Balinese daughter/son. But once a person has his/her own name, it’s very unwise to ask them to change or adopt a stage name to please the guests, who are most likely more willing to interact with local names anyway instead of encountering another Richard.

St. Regis, please drop the colonial mind-frame and respect local cultures. If a person wants to change his name from ‘Wayan’ to ‘Wayne’ in the passport and KTP, it’s up to him. But it should be done voluntarily, and not forced (or even mildly suggested) by the management.