Now and Then

Last week my mother asked about my new ID card. She asked what the ID card said about my occupation. It is "a housewife". By default. I mean, the officials assumed right away that I was a housewife without bothering to ask. I might be an astronaut or a director in a reputable company. (I am not, of course, but that's not the point) I bet the officials wouldn't care less. It is ridiculous, really.

Then my mother told me something else. In the old days, when a couple just got married and they had to make new IDs, the wives' occupation would be: following the husband (ikut suami).

By default.

I had a good laugh that time.