Stage Of Jakarta Life: Departure Stage
This is the period leading to final departure from Jakarta. This stage merges with the Consolidation Stage for some time with the overlapping period apparently varying with the length of time in Jakarta. It ends with a rush for pack up!
Anticipation:
This is a time of heightened anticipation of return to the familiar and a return to real or imagined greater material and physical comfort. Of interest is the list of things missed -usually just trivia rather than items of substance. Increased food choice is commonly mentioned. It is important to realise this high expectation should be tempered with the reality and difficulties of reintegration at home but that is another story.
Stresses:
This Departure Stage is a curious mixture of good and bad. Many people experience increased agitation with future job concerns paramount. Increased criticism of policies, institutions and personnel or Indonesian culture is frequent with occasional overt expressions of verbal hostility. Expressed irritability and annoyance with perceived trivia or "we have seen all of that before here" is common.
Groups:
During this time differences in the cultural background and personality requirements of the various social and professional groups may no longer be repressed and produce more incompatibility among work associates.
Arguments are still rare: Members know hostility may have temporary cathartic value but they still have to work with the same people tomorrow. The reverse also applies where there has been good rapport. Tolerance continues or increases as "I'll be gone soon anyhow" and the relationship is preserved for possible future contact. Commonly some members withdraw further into their group and show considerable disinterest in meeting and associating with new arrivals.
The Farewell Speech:
Much suppressed hostility is transferred to frequent compositions of your Farewell Speech: You will really tell all and sundry what you think about the place and them. Rarely does that eventuate which is good. Unmasking your true feelings about institutions and people is usually unhelpful and it is just possible that your unkind or harsh opinions will be well and truly reciprocated.
More commonly farewell speeches reflect the basic goodness and humility common to most Jakarta expatriates. You are genuinely sorry to be leaving despite your protestations to the contrary. Friends and colleagues are genuinely sorry to see you go. You will leave a gap.
Spare a thought for your Section Head. He may be very sorry to be losing you! Equally he may well seem more hassled and distant than usual. It is a time of frustration and unrest for those responsible for replacing staff and planning ahead.
Staff busily winding down at work with future plans uppermost in their minds do not make it any easier to run a department especially when the Section Head has his own work, personal and family objectives to meet. A positive side to this stage is that the prospect of departure does spur some to complete unfinished projects.
Generally the Departure Stage is a busy time, happy and sad, full of preparations, packing and farewells. There are the regrets of leaving and the premature mourning for the anticipated loss of friends and the good times. It is the end of another era in your life.
Stresses:
This Departure Stage is a curious mixture of good and bad. Many people experience increased agitation with future job concerns paramount. Increased criticism of policies, institutions and personnel or Indonesian culture is frequent with occasional overt expressions of verbal hostility. Expressed irritability and annoyance with perceived trivia or "we have seen all of that before here" is common.
Groups:
During this time differences in the cultural background and personality requirements of the various social and professional groups may no longer be repressed and produce more incompatibility among work associates.
Arguments are still rare: Members know hostility may have temporary cathartic value but they still have to work with the same people tomorrow. The reverse also applies where there has been good rapport. Tolerance continues or increases as "I'll be gone soon anyhow" and the relationship is preserved for possible future contact. Commonly some members withdraw further into their group and show considerable disinterest in meeting and associating with new arrivals.
The Farewell Speech:
Much suppressed hostility is transferred to frequent compositions of your Farewell Speech: You will really tell all and sundry what you think about the place and them. Rarely does that eventuate which is good. Unmasking your true feelings about institutions and people is usually unhelpful and it is just possible that your unkind or harsh opinions will be well and truly reciprocated.
More commonly farewell speeches reflect the basic goodness and humility common to most Jakarta expatriates. You are genuinely sorry to be leaving despite your protestations to the contrary. Friends and colleagues are genuinely sorry to see you go. You will leave a gap.
Spare a thought for your Section Head. He may be very sorry to be losing you! Equally he may well seem more hassled and distant than usual. It is a time of frustration and unrest for those responsible for replacing staff and planning ahead.
Staff busily winding down at work with future plans uppermost in their minds do not make it any easier to run a department especially when the Section Head has his own work, personal and family objectives to meet. A positive side to this stage is that the prospect of departure does spur some to complete unfinished projects.
Generally the Departure Stage is a busy time, happy and sad, full of preparations, packing and farewells. There are the regrets of leaving and the premature mourning for the anticipated loss of friends and the good times. It is the end of another era in your life.
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