However, this lifestyle creates a cultural tension. Traditional views of civil servants—often seen as the "ideal son-in-law"—clash with the younger generation's desire for subjective well-being and social media expression. This generation often uses platforms like TikTok to share their "day in the life," which can sometimes invite public criticism if perceived as focusing more on lifestyle than public service. Surabaya’s Unique "Arek" Context

The pressure to maintain the prestige of the PNS uniform can lead to lifestyle inflation. In a city where "looking the part" is vital, social media pressure can drive younger officials toward conspicuous consumption.

Many PNS, especially those from the Satpol PP (Public Order Agency), conduct raids on "suspicious" places—cheap hotels, malls, and parks after 9 PM—to catch unmarried ABG couples. This creates a tense culture of surveillance. ABG view these raids as privacy invasions, while PNS see them as necessary moral guardianship.

In the Arek spirit, conflict is not avoided; it is resolved through direct confrontation followed by guyub (communal harmony). The PNS needs the ABG to stop Korupsi Waktu (time theft), and the ABG needs the PNS to stop FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and learn patience.