Wantok system, PNG time and going overboard

Before I begin, you need to know the following things:

1. Wantok system - this is the system in Papua New Guinea that traditionally means you have support from your 'wantoks' (i.e relatives, people from the same area or, if your in a different country - people from your home country) when you need help with something and vice versa. The negative implication of that is what is reffered in western circles as nepotism.

2. PNG Time - this is usually 1 hour after the time appointed. It works well in PNG because everybody is switched on to the same time.

Now, this system has worked quite well for so long because time didn't really matter that much. As long as it got done today (i.e before the sun set) things were okay. Well, now with western influence, we have to change. I don't mean change completely and lose our identity but learn to differentiate between when PNG time and wantok system is okay, and when you are going overboard.

For example, I'm sure you've been in a very long queue growing by the minute and someone has skipped the queue because he knows the person at the counter. Frustrating isn't it. Or someone has to come do some work for you and turns up three hours after they were supposed to. Worse, they turn up and then ask to use your phone/borrow stationary/etc instead of doing their job.

My only statement is that if you've experienced the above, don't do it to others...... The more people who think like that, the better for PNG.

Social Networking

My email inbox is full to the brim with Google Buzz, Facebook updates, etc. Why? Because I decided to join social networking online and and that's why i have a whole pile of emails that are basically designed to tell me that so and so have 'liked' my status update. OR, joy of joys, someone has tagged me and 10 other people on a funny photo and 500 million people have decided to write a comment beggining with lol, hahaha, etc..

The constant headache of screening my emails has been relieved somewhat by the fact I have cleaned up my friend lists. While undertaking this task, i learnt a few truths:
1. Why am i friends with people I do not know and have never chatted with even after i accepted friend requests from this people?
2. Just because I have 25 friends in common with you, doesnt mean we automatically know each other. But that doesnt mean i dont want to get to know you:)
3. Someone's profile picture is actually a great judge of character. Think about it......
4. I hate it when people write long details in their info section on facebook. Seriously, this not your CV. Let us get to know you and find out for ourselves. It makes life more interesting. Besides, aren't you afraid someone might steal your identity?
5. It's addictive. Seriously, if it gets to the point that you are checking facebook 5- 6 times a day and you get an immense joy out of seeing that you have notifications, you have issues.

Online social networking is here to stay but if your online 24 - 7, you miss out on the real world around you.