How important are clothes and fashion to you? Why?
Clothes and fashion are moderately important to me. While I don’t prioritize trends, I believe they reflect personality and respect for occasions. For example, I dress formally for work to appear professional but prefer comfortable casual wear at home. Fashion also helps me adapt to social contexts, showing thoughtfulness towards others’ perceptions. However, my primary focus is on comfort and functionality, so I don’t spend excessive time choosing outfits. Overall, it’s a practical yet mindful aspect of my daily life.
What kind of clothes do you dislike? Why?
I personally dislike clothes that are overly tight or restrictive. They often feel uncomfortable and can limit natural movement. For instance, I find skinny jeans or tightly fitted blouses restrictive, especially during busy days. I prefer loose-fitting or casual attire that allows freedom of movement. Comfort is crucial for me since I spend most of the day on the go. Ultimately, practicality and ease trump fashion statements when it comes to daily wear.
How different are the clothes you wear now from those you wore 10 years ago?
The clothes I wear now are quite different from those I wore a decade ago. Back then, I focused on trendy, stylish outfits to keep up with fashion, even if they weren’t always comfortable. Now, I prioritize comfort and practicality, opting for casual, durable pieces like jeans and t-shirts. For example, I used to wear dressier shoes frequently, but now I prefer sneakers for daily activities. This shift reflects my changing lifestyle and values—functionality over fleeting trends. However, I still occasionally incorporate some fashionable elements for special occasions. Overall, the difference highlights how my priorities have evolved toward simplicity and ease.
What do you think the clothes we wear say about us?
Clothes often reflect our personality, values, and the impression we want to convey. For instance, someone in formal attire might prioritize professionalism, while casual wear could signal a preference for comfort or informality. Fashion choices also reveal confidence, creativity, or conformity to trends. Personally, I opt for comfortable yet presentable outfits, showing my focus on balance. They might also indicate cultural or social influences, like traditional garments. Essentially, clothing acts as a silent communication tool, offering insights into who we are or how we wish to be perceived.
Describe a festival that is important in your country. You should say: when the festival occurs – what you did during it – what you like or dislike about it – and explain why this festival is important.
An important festival in Indonesia is Lebaran (Eid al-Fitr), which marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. It typically occurs between April and June, depending on the lunar calendar. Growing up, I remember my family thoroughly cleaning our home to symbolize renewal, preparing traditional foods like ketupat (rice cakes) and rendang (spicy beef stew), and I’d eagerly wait to receive duit lebaran (gift money) from elders. We’d attend dawn prayers at the mosque and visit relatives, exchanging warm greetings like “Selamat Lebaran!”
What I love most is the sense of unity—strangers smile, conflicts are resolved, and everyone shares meals together. However, I dislike the chaos of mudik, the mass exodus when millions travel home, causing traffic jams that can last days. This festival is vital because it strengthens family bonds, encourages generosity, and reflects Indonesia’s cultural and religious diversity. It reminds us to reflect on faith, forgive others, and celebrate life’s connections, even in our sprawling, multicultural nation.
Why do you think festivals are important events in the working year?
Festivals are crucial as they provide much-needed breaks from work routines, allowing people to recharge and return to tasks with renewed energy. They also foster social connections, strengthening relationships through shared traditions or celebrations, which improves overall well-being. Additionally, they preserve cultural heritage, reminding us of our roots while promoting inclusivity and joy in an often-stressful work-focused world. For me, they balance productivity with humanity, making them indispensable.
Would you agree that the original significance of festivals is often lost today? Is it good or bad, do you think?
Certainly, the original meanings of many festivals do get diluted today, especially with commercialization or modernization. For instance, holidays like Christmas often emphasize gift-giving over spiritual reflection, while events like Halloween have spread globally with little regard to their cultural origins. Whether this is good or bad depends on perspective—adaptation keeps traditions relevant and inclusive, but losing roots risks disconnecting people from their heritage. Overall, I think balancing evolution with preserving core values is ideal, ensuring festivals remain meaningful yet adaptable to contemporary needs.
Do you think that new festivals will be introduced in the future? What kind?
Absolutely, new festivals will likely emerge as societies evolve and address contemporary issues. For example, we might see technology-themed events celebrating innovations like AI or space exploration, or environmental festivals promoting sustainability and climate action. Globalization could also lead to hybrid celebrations blending cultures or emphasizing international unity. These new festivals would reflect societal priorities, from ecological concerns to digital connectivity. While some might prioritize fun, others could drive awareness or social change—making them relevant to modern challenges. Overall, their creation would show our dynamic culture adapting to new values and advancements.
What role does the media play in festivals, do you think?
The media plays a crucial role in shaping how festivals are experienced and perceived. It amplifies their reach, turning local traditions into global events through documentaries, social media, and live streams. For example, platforms like Instagram or TikTok can make a small village’s festival trend worldwide. However, this exposure sometimes prioritizes spectacle over authenticity, risking oversimplification of cultural meanings. Despite that, media helps preserve traditions, connects communities, and keeps festivals relevant by adapting them to modern audiences—making their cultural and social impacts more widespread yet occasionally diluted.
Do you think it’s good or bad to watch festivals on TV? Why?
Watching festivals on TV has both benefits and drawbacks. On one hand, it allows people to experience traditions they might never attend in person, bridging geographical or cultural gaps—like witnessing aThai water festival from afar. It also preserves these events for future generations through documentation. However, the passive experience lacks the immersive energy of being present—such as the smells, sounds, or communal joy of participating. While convenient, it risks reducing rich cultural moments to superficial spectacles. Overall, it’s useful for exposure but no substitute for firsthand engagement.
How may globalization affect different festivals around the world?
Globalization likely leads to both cultural blending and potential homogenization of festivals. For instance, holidays like Christmas have become globally recognized, blending with local traditions—such as Japan’s Christmas Eve as a romantic date. However, this exposure risks diluting unique cultural practices in favor of mainstream trends. On the positive side, it fosters cross-cultural understanding, allowing people to appreciate diverse celebrations like Diwali or Chinese New Year beyond their origins. Yet, there’s a downside: commercialization might prioritize profit over authenticity, turning festivals into generic events. Overall, while globalization connects us, it challenges us to balance global influence with preserving cultural heritage.
