Pointed Nose...

One compliment I did not expect to get during my time here was about my nose. I have never really thought anything particular about my nose, one way or another. However, I frequently get compliments here for having a pointed nose. I don't know about anyone else, but when I hear 'pointed nose' I typically think of a witches nose, haha.

Nonetheless, the compliment is meant well and is not related to the length of my nose but instead indicates the width of my nose. All of the old women in the community are very complimentary towards me as well as very welcoming.

As humorous as it is, when I am repeatedly complemented by the old women in the village about my pointed nose, my mind keeps going back to the disappointing reason behind the admiration and desire for pointed noses and white/pale skin here.

This beauty standard is derived from the colonization in Indonesia's past, that still has lasting and prevalent impacts even now. Not only there a beauty standard that says pointed noses and white skin are the best, but there are countless products aimed towards brightening the skin. There isn't much to be done about the shape of someone' nose without a medical procedure but there continues to be a dissatisfaction with their own physical looks.