KUTA COWBOYS IN BALI PARADISE: Inside Info on the Gigilo's antics

It disturbs me, that with the public release of the documentory film Paradise Cowboys, and subsequent press on the subject of the 28 boys detained and the bad rap for Bali family tourism, that as usual on this island it seems a twist has taken place, the press and some ill informed or desperate woman are coming to their defence, supporting these guys; saying they are not doing anything wrong, just supplying a demand, and ill represented in a film illegally made!

Arrgghh ... come on !

Having been in Bali 10 years, i have personal experience to the contrary.
The film only represents the flirtatious side of the boys antics with foreign women, even with a wife's support.
The reality of these boys manipulations are another story.
What a shame the director didn't take the time to research the many heartbroken and bankrupted foreign women out there, that have suffered at the hands of these so called kuta cowboys.
I know and have met so many.

So heres a few facts on how it really goes on:

1/Many of the Kuta cowboy Gigilo's are Not Balinese, They are Sumatran; Christian Batak and Muslim, Javanese, from Suluwesi etc Coming from other islands looking for all the naughty life, not so easily tolerated in their home towns.

2/They are not just on the beach, they are also hard working all the nightspots especially on the Jl Legian there favorite hangouts being Apache, The Bounty, and Espresso. Also on the Double six strip.

3/Manipulation is the Key strategy. They will often declare there undying love, and wish not to use her for any, thank her for a few meals and drinks paid for, take some cute pictures and even follow up with emails texts and phone calls every now and then after the girl has gone home, expressing,usually, hopes that she will come back or buy him a ticket and passport to go meet her.
In the meantime scouting the scene for another girl whilst she is out of the country.
The Japanese girls fall prey to this technique especially as they have such short holidays in Bali.

4/They generally have no sense of loyalty or heartfelt regard or respect for any woman.
Even if they know the girl is not wealthy, they will milk her for all they can get, many times in the guise of a personal disaster,
in which they plead for financial assistance ... "if you really loved me too ... you would ...." Help.. by giving money for a sick mum, for his rent that he cant pay coz no surf lessons this week with bad weather, medical help due to a bike accident, ticket home to see dying father, etc etc etc
You would be amazed how many times a boys father or mother can be sick or even die in a year.

5/Then there is the jealousy manipulation; if the girl needs him to be faithful to her, he needs a tiger motorbike( a great symbol a gigilo is successful) to drive you around when you are here and for himself when you are not, in safety.
And maybe a request to set him up in business here to get him off the beach or whatever and make him successful and independent so he looks good to be with you, just a little shop or bike maintenance place etc etc

6/Whatever the stories, and i have heard so many, this financial support does Not buy love and devotion, not even loyalty or respect, and If the girl does not comply within a certain time frame, including having a sweet brown baby; which would in their eyes guarantee passage out of Indonesia or at least a lifetime of guilt ridden financial support, then many can turn nasty, emotionally abusing or even physically.

7/ All girls coming to Bali need to be aware, if they like to have fun with the local talent, that it can turn nasty, it will cost you money and probably self esteem, and to guard their possessions and money at all times!

8/ Most of these guys are broke despite getting money from different girls, coz their mates have their hands out whenever any of them get a bit of cash, or thankfully sometimes the foreign woman wakes up in time and stops the support or retrieves her property. It is also a universal law it seems that money made by ill gotten means is quickly gone.

It would be so tempting to take and publish pictures of many of these guys that i could name and shame, but I live in hope that this latest public press about their antics might just shake them up a little and lead them to reform their actions and ideals.

Obviously I have little sympathy for these boys practices, and my heart goes out to the woman out there who have suffered already or are in the process of being fooled by one of these guys.
I wish you all a happy and long loving life, with many fun holidays to be had.

Bali can be a truly wonderful place to relax, rejuvenate, discover and Party
Enjoy!