Santi Time

Todd: So, Santi, now you are from Indonesia but you actually are Christian, correct?

Santi: Yes.

Todd: And now most people in Indonesia are Muslim.

Santi: Yes, that's true.

Todd: Right, so are there any other major religions in Indonesia?

Santi: Oh, we have about six religions, actually: Muslim, Christians. We have two types of Christians: Catholic and Christians, and then we have Buddhists and Hindus and Confuciuos.

Todd: So you are Christian?

Santi: Yes.

Todd: So do you have a ... do you celebrate Christmas specially, like Indonesian style?

Santi: In my family - no - but maybe other families do.

Todd: So what do you normally do for Christmas?

Santi: We go to ... well, as a part of family, we go to the church together and then we celebrate ... well, going out for dinner, and then that's all.

Todd: That's it?

Santi: Yes.

Todd: So, it's not that big of a deal?

Santi: No.

Todd: No Christmas tree?

Santi: No.

Todd: No giving presents?

Santi: No. Even for Christmas tree, my mom always tells that if you want to decorate the tree, you have to - well - clean it up later, so we just like ... yeah, maybe later on.

Todd: You don't want to do it.

Santi: No.

Todd: Wow. OK, that's interesting. So Christmas is very basic and simple?

Santi: Yes.

Todd: Well, actually that's kind of nice. I think a lot of people from other Christian countries would probably prefer that Christmas was that way.

Santi: Really? Well, as a children I expect a present actually from my parents but they don't give me so ... it's OK.

Todd: So, were you bummed when you didn't get a present?

Santi: Yes, sometimes. Well, looking for other friends that they got presents, like, a bunch of presents from their parents or their uncles but, well, me and my sister just don't so ...

Todd: Well, that's OK, though. I mean I think maybe that's even better because maybe that teaches children a lesson, you know. So does that mean you never get presents or gifts or money or anything?

Santi: No, but we have a special celebration for Chinese New Year because we are raised a Chinese family, so we got presents in Chinese New Year's.

Todd: So, you celebrate Chinese New Year more than you do Christmas?

Santi: Yes, that's true.