The Business of Pleasing Yourself

Tuesday, March 11, 2003

Appearing grubby and dimly lit, the small kiosks are lined up in rows along a number of roads in the capital and other big cities. They display bizarre products such as stimulants, arousal pills, `tickler' condoms, artificial penises, and even sex dolls. These kiosks are witnesses that the business of boosting desire has well and truly wormed its way into this country. The benefits or influences on health have yet to be investigated, and no one is yet supervising this. The public, however, especially those from the middle class, have already gotten carried away with their fantasies. Even the less well off are being catered for with various kinds of jamu herbal and other cheap medicines on offer along many city streets. Is this the sign of a change in our communities?

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THE room was very small. It measured just 3x2 meters. It was really stuffy. It so happened on that day the atmosphere along Jalan Casablanca, Jakarta, was very oppressive. The room felt even more crowded because it was stuffed with all kinds of goods—worn-out mattresses and pillows, 14-inch television sets, video compact disc players, plus a telephone. But, what did stand out, being visible even from the roadside, was a glass display case

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