Sorry, I am going to go back a ways, I hope that is alright.... I am American. I am from the liberal hub to end all liberal hubs, Boston, on the North East Coast. You say that liberal Americans, surprise you, and you don't know quite what to make of them.... Are they really that open? Then you check the things they say with other Americans. Interesting method there. A lot over here, depends on what part of the country you are from. When you ask if we are really that open... I am just curious about the issues you are discussing with them and where they are from? Please don't take my questions as judgement. I am just seeking a better understanding. On what issues is your culture different from liberal americanism?
ofcourse, in Indonesia, there are still those who adopt to Eastern culture where the majority of its people are very strict with religious law (87% moslem) which also mixed up with patriarchal system and the diverse culture. which i think some of people here got mixed up with this and that (i'm reffering to urban people who move to jakarta). although I feel that as a citizen who live in Jakarta (Indo), the original jakarta people (who is not an urban) itself imo are already open minded, but it turns out there are those who are more open minded. Jakarta itself is the city center of this country, so its industrial movement is very fast.
In this interview, i'm not saying that American is bad of course. liberal here is more about me seeing how an American is given more options and for me with openness of mind people are more open to wider options and with more opportunities/chance/experiences. which not like here (Indo). which I think is why America can advance to become a developed country. They do not have very strict limitations like here (Indonesia), which for some people in Jakarta dream of a life full of options, full of freedom like in America.
and During my time with my friends who are Americans, I saw that there is a side of America that is similar to Jakarta (I mean the citizen similar, both are individualistic, independent, but the difference is only in the number of options/opportunities as I said before) that is why people here (indo), if they feel too tied down by limitations, will run to America.
hope my words in the interview not misinterpreted, if it yes, then i'm sorry