anon.

YOU totally threw your argument off. Your Turkish looking friend who was barred from a club in Germany... but who was really Persian..... ... and you uplift this kind of what you call nationalist society, who in essence harbours racial hatred toward certain groups of people. Let me ask you something... do you have a bit of a darker complexion there Vigil, maybe next time you go into a German club, they'll ban you cause you look like a Turk,... Oh but you're really an Armenian, you say. Whatever. *** Fixed a quote

VIgil, African Americans are in a lower socio economic class because that is where they were FORCED to exist, with no access to education, employement, etc. Their suppression over hundreds of years results in the situation Black america is in today. And Im not sure if you know what year this is, but African Americans are no longer slaves, and THUS will not continue to be. Regarding your comment about the Turkish looking Armenian barred from entering a club in Germany... In North America we call that DISCRIMINATION, not Nationalism. Whoever said earlier, that your losing it... I agree.

Hey, I'm looking for my significant other. Any good looking virgin Armenian guys out there? Sorry ... Couldn't resisit. On another note, assuming we all wish to spend our life with one person, how could you marry someone without even having sleept with them. That's like getting married after 2 months of knowing eachother... Oops, I forgot. That's normal.

I do agree and disagree with what you're saying. There are so many nationalistic Armenians, (in the diaspora) who are not only concerned about preserving our culture, but who are also strong in the political arena, regarding Armenia. But I do agree that historically Armenians have been most concerened with the familiy unit and their surrounding. Most of my family have lived their life this way. A few in my family are Armenian - live or die, and their outlook on life is a alot more intense regarding our national identity and culture. It's hard for me to imagine how they will raise their kids when they get to the age where they begin to want to develop their own character, ideas etc.

Thoth, why do you believe that it's a good argument Just curious

You cant go under the assumption that All Armenians are the same, have the same plights, the same will, where ever they reside in the world. One cannot assume that every person in a diaspora is living and breathing with the goal in life to keep their people united, in or outside of their nation state. What we have in common is our past, our heritage, our culture. Do we share in common our daily lives, our plights, our luxuries, or interests etc.. Absolutely not. Most Armenians I know are not living with the purpose of keeping their people united and in harmony, or what have you. THey may have these great ideals in mind, but is that the question they face themselves with everyday... No, its not. Okay, there was a break of cultural transmission that the Genocide brought. But I mean look at the communities we have built around the world, the churches, the clubs, to which people always congregate for a variety of reasons. We are not that bad off. We are not an extinct nation, and it bothers me when people (Armenians) act as if we are, or are heading that way. We're not, clearly. If Armenians are afraid of assimilation, then let them go back to Armenia, to defend the Armenian cause. Wouldnt that be a great solution??? Assimilation has not only happened to Armenians nor will it stop with Armenians. Its a social phenomenon, and its inevitable, in some way , shape or form. And we as Armenians are deathly afraid of it.

Axel, forgive me... but what do you mean when you say 'defending Armenia's spiritual integrity'

Well of coarse we do. We can talk about unity through shared faith and ideals all we want. The point is we are individuals, in whatever it is we may be working towards, or what causes we support. I dont live in Armenia, nor have I ever been there. I dont know what kind of ideals individuals there have, how do you know what kind of faith they have, and in what? I sure dont. I dont know what your ideals are, or what kind of faith you have an it what. Even if I did know, how do you expect for these things to coincide with eachother, between the two of us. Maybe they wouldn't. Maybe they cant. Yes, we are both Armenian, but we are individuals. Given we want the same things for the unity of our nation, outside of Armenian or within, how could you and I , along with ALL other Armenians share the same faith and ideals? We are not in Utopia ...

Yes, we may have history and heritage in common, but so what? One individual and his or her thinking cant purely represent a whole population or nation. We know this, but when people start acting this way, either in this forum or in our every day lives, we get offended or upset or all worked up. Respect, I think is something that we lack, among other things. We cant understand eachother because alot of times we are self righteous in our thinking. We WANT everyone to think the same as we do. We want to point fingers and say I'm right and you're wrong, or you and all other Armenians are doomed because you have this or that opinion It's exemplified in this forum all the time. It's hard to understand another when you dont fully know they're background, what they have experienced in life, in what kind of environment they grew up . All of things things are attributed to what makes an individual who they are. That's the problem here. (I am Assuming) that everyone does not know everyone else personally here. We can talk about our opinions here, and justify them with examples, but then what gives another person the right to JUDGE what the indiv. is saying. THat's the problem. We are so quick to JUDGE. You cannot understand a person, or come to a concensus about anything when all you do is judge. You have to be able to consider others thoughts and ideals, even if you think they are wrong, or dont agree.

This is going to be a highly personal subject. But seeing that your girl is Armenian, how do you two deal with the issues (if there are any?) between her fam and you guys as a couple. Only asking cause you're the only other person I know in an intrcl relionship, besides myself.. I mean as an Armenian. Curious about your insight!!

Angel4hope, I totally agree with you! Armenians (older generation in particular) are always happy to know that any one close to them that, meshdeghen yelaz en. LOL We're not in old times anymore. The soul purpose of a women is not to get married before she gets just a 'little bit too old' (lol) and have children. DOnt get me wrong, marriage is a great institution. But we as Armenians know that there is this thing that the elders impose on us. I think its humorous too.

Hey Anonymouse.... Guys, I dont thing a slut is the exact opposite of a prude. There are some people with more liberal attitudes towards sex, in a relationship. Some people are more agressive and some more passive when it comes to it. Some people are into alternative lifestyles, or exploring a little more with their partner, than others. I was trying to refer to this type of compatability.

Gevo, I think if two people have plenty of things in common, it's a start to a relationship. But to me it doesnt necessarily mean two people are compatible. Relationships are so hard to analyze in one shot. Sometimes you have couples who dont actually have alot of stuff in common but they seem to get along very well and understand eachother, and they end up kind of 'fitting together'. To be compatible with someone I think depends a lot on characteristics of the individuals. In a couple one may be an introvert and the other an extrvert, and that may work for them, or it may hinder the relationship. If both are too stuborn and always want to have the last say, or have their own way, too many conflicts will arise and affect the relationship in a bad way. I guess I am basically saying, per Stormig's post, i think compatability relies more on behavioural compatibility rather than having things in common, (dont get me wrong, having things in common counts for something too) I think couples tend to grow together, and explore things together, so some how or another there will be things they share in common, and there will be things that interest one but not at all the other. I think that's typical. But when people's behaviour isnt compatible, it seems to cause too much friction, frustration and sometimes resentment between a couple. On another note, just to stir things up a bit what about sexual compatability. How important is that in a relationship....