Azat Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 I am sorry I am on a rampage. There is a new Turkish bar and grill on Ventura Boulevard. Take a guess on what TV stations they advertise and who the patrons are? Who is getting rich off of whose money? Walk to any Armenian Deli and look at the tomato paste, dried figs, canned vegetables, etc, look where they are made and check out who the consumers are. Who is getting rich off of whose money? I recently purchased a pack of "Bubble Gum" gum from a deli with my other groceries and when I got in the car and opened up the gum I noticed on the package that it was not the same bubble gum that I usually get. It was made in the US but had Turkish words on it that I could not understand. I walked back to the deli and asked the owner about it. His response was that the Armenian Distributor of this gum buys his supply from Turkey as it is cheaper there then to just buy is wholesale in the states. So the gum get sold from the manufacturer to a distributor in Turkey who in turn sells it to an Armenian distributor in Glendale(or Burbank or someplace around here) who ships it back to LA and knows that the Armenian Delis would buy it from him as no other grocery story would buy Bubble Gum where the ingredients and such are in Turkish. Who is getting rich off of whose money? Wake up and support your own. Stop living an a f&$@in coma. I am really sick and tired of my culture. We all talk but do nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harut Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 Azat, du "mkneri zhoghov@" kardatsel es? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boghos Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 (edited) Come on Azat...do you think it makes any difference if we buy Turkish or Mongolian chewing gum ? If you buy Armenian just because it is Armenian you are just subsidizing an Armenian private entrepreneur that is essentially in a weak position. We have to believe that people are rational to a certain degree at least, and that they will spend their money in an efficient manner. The way to help Armenia is not avoiding Turkish products or by drinking Kotayk (of which I am a fan, btw). This Californian way of looking at the world sounds more like a bake sale ) . Sorry, dude, I am in a strange mood today . Edited July 18, 2003 by Boghos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DominO123 Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 Wake up and support your own. Stop living an a f&$@in coma. I am really sick and tired of my culture. We all talk but do nothing. LOL ! Azat, it is the first time I read such a thing from you. I didn't knew you were patriotic. Well, we learn every day something new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted July 18, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 Boghos it is not the bubble gum or the beer or the figs or any one thing specific that upsets me, it is that we(specifically in CA) don't care anymore. More specifically those of use in CA could care less if Armenian arts and culture dies tomorrow. We all are dead Armenians just walking like zombies. If one percent care i would be shocked. BTW: I do think buying Armenian matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasun Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 I think its a tradeoff. Buying non-competitive Armenian made products may support the Armenian producer but will hurt the Armenian consumer. But if Armenian products are pretty close to the Turkish ones (lets say slightly worse) then I believe the "damage" to the Armenian consumer is not significant, so overall Armenians will benefit from buying Armenian products. On the other hand, if we are talking about Armenia-based producers, the chances are there is noting wrong with the quality or price of the product, but they suffer from poor marketing and packaging (ever purchased a really nice Armenian item wrapped in a newspaper? if yes then you know what I am talking about). It would be good to have a research with actual numbers. Most likely nobody has done such research, so here is another important area in need of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted July 18, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 Azat, du "mkneri zhoghov@" kardatsel es? Harut jan, kartastel em. Mi te menq vorpes Hay Jogovurt Californiaum et vijanik en hasel vor hi hat heqyati hamematvenq? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamavor Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 Azat, why are you so upset? Glandale is anything but Armenian stronghold. The population of Glendale is mostly rabiz lovers, people whose moral code is limited to screwing the government and buying knew fancy cars and clothes. I wonder even that 1000 have seen the movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mher Posted July 19, 2003 Report Share Posted July 19, 2003 I am sorry I am on a rampage. There is a new Turkish bar and grill on Ventura Boulevard. Take a guess on what TV stations they advertise and who the patrons are? Who is getting rich off of whose money? Walk to any Armenian Deli and look at the tomato paste, dried figs, canned vegetables, etc, look where they are made and check out who the consumers are. Who is getting rich off of whose money? I recently purchased a pack of "Bubble Gum" gum from a deli with my other groceries and when I got in the car and opened up the gum I noticed on the package that it was not the same bubble gum that I usually get. It was made in the US but had Turkish words on it that I could not understand. I walked back to the deli and asked the owner about it. His response was that the Armenian Distributor of this gum buys his supply from Turkey as it is cheaper there then to just buy is wholesale in the states. So the gum get sold from the manufacturer to a distributor in Turkey who in turn sells it to an Armenian distributor in Glendale(or Burbank or someplace around here) who ships it back to LA and knows that the Armenian Delis would buy it from him as no other grocery story would buy Bubble Gum where the ingredients and such are in Turkish. Who is getting rich off of whose money? Wake up and support your own. Stop living an a f&$@in coma. I am really sick and tired of my culture. We all talk but do nothing.Azat I agree, you have a very good point, its not the chewing gum or tomato paste, its about a NATIONAL PRIDE, its so screwd up in here CA, but thats the last thing I worry about, but I will stop opening the can of worms Azat Jan. I recently was in Montreal, as I was passing thru Canadian customs, the lady (customs officer) asked me are you an Armenian? I replied yes mam, oh she said, I love Armenians, did you see the movie ARARAT? Of course mam, well did you know he (Egoyan) is from Montreal? Yes of course mam I know that, ohhh you Armenians are so much talented………. And I felt proud at that moment, with familiar bulge building up in my throat, I’m sure you people encountered such an experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyebruin Posted July 19, 2003 Report Share Posted July 19, 2003 wow, azat! that's some heavy stuff there!! if the 'adults' are so careless (those who run the armenian businesses) i shudder to think what will happen to the armenian youth!! ---and whoever said it? they're right!! the whole l.a. area is a very 'look conscious' environment--- people buying cars they can't afford just to impress others, while living in a crappy apartment! go figure! or what i hate the most is those little 'lagodtz' hanging out of their daddy's mercedez and waving the armenian flag on the 24th...they don't know the first thing about being armenian...which is humility!!! the reason we are where we are socially and politically today, is because we do not support one another as a people (most of us at least!), and we care more about our own interests! MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! than about doing what's right and moral...people who live by this principle have no right to talk about turks and the history...since by their actions they show that they do not care...another thing! you guys remember a few years back when we had these incidents where young people (high school) were getting killed? i remember how the school board, the armenian church, ...etc. proposed to have 'something done' to "help our youth"!!! what a joke!! those a** holes can kiss my a**...all they can do is talk!!! and organize those stupid dinner dances with stupid entertainers and charge even more stupid people a fortune to get in!!!---it's all about willingness and priorities--- and again we come back to the same old theme!! money matters more than anything else including the future of our culture and where it's headed!!!i get just as mad as you azat!! ..... <_< it's a shame we do not have any/many patriotic entertainers (i'm talking about the rich a**es) who are willing to help out and meet some of the cultural needs of our day like open up a youth center or youth dance clubs or some kind of a youth oriented envrionment that will draw the young people away from hanging out on the streetcorners of Brand Blvd. and the Galleria and actually do something...learn something!!! <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
America-Hye Posted July 19, 2003 Report Share Posted July 19, 2003 The first step to defeating your adversary is the old adage "Know the enemy." The Turks know us to a "T". They know that we will buy Turkish products and frequent Turkish establishments and listen to Turkish music. Their industries run on wealth originally from assets stolen from the Armenians and they are getting richer on us now. With the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border there will be a whole new market for the businessmen of Eastern Anatolia.The games recently played by Turkish officials meeting with Armenian groups shows what suckers the Armenians are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted July 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2003 We are all in an identity crisis. Mher I too have had those experiences and one was in Vancouver when I went there couple of years ago for an Aznavour concert. But moments like that are not to be found in LA. We have a very negative reputation here. Bruin jan, we(Armenians) do one thing well. organize dinner dances and banquets. We can't do anything else well. No Art shows, not cultural events, no good concerts and the list goes on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
America-Hye Posted July 19, 2003 Report Share Posted July 19, 2003 When I was growing up we were proud to be Armenian. Our Congressman was an Armenian. The county executive of a close county was an Armenian. There was no negative stigma to be Armenian, other than being grouped with all other non-Anglo Saxons as a purported "lesser" group. After moving to LA the situation was different. The discrimination against Armenians was intense. Other minority groups had laws to protect them from this. Armenians did not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpa Posted July 20, 2003 Report Share Posted July 20, 2003 Azat, du "mkneri zhoghov@" kardatsel es? Speaking of "mkneri zhogov"...Where is that "pozhozh kakhich", BellTheCat?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THOTH Posted July 20, 2003 Report Share Posted July 20, 2003 Well I understand and feel your pain - Azat and the rest...but I'm not sure it is all so bad...and I don't doubt that many of your complaints and those of the others are nothing all that new. I can imagine much the same throughout our history...much is just human nature..and Armenian nature I think. As a people we rarely have been centrally organized and willing to put out for our kin (and country...when there ever was one)...and most people in general are apolitical - until it comes to something directly affecting them - believe me - I have been involved in (local) politics and I see it. And face it - most folks - particularly business folks are looking for the deal. If the cheapest and/or most available products are from Turkey - and there is a demand (because these are items that we are used to etc) well I supose we will be buying them. I try to buy Armenian when possible - just on principal...but I have no qualms about buying Turkish or whatever. For instance - a local market carries yalanchi - sometimes a Greek brand - sometimes Turkish - I will buy whatever is available...and in fact the Turkish product is clearly better (in this case)...tyhough I have never had to choose between the two - seems like they have one or the other. I do think that we should support Armenian products/businesses where available however - and I do - I will always buy Armenian if I can - even if priced a bit higher. Recently i was telling some members of my family how I had bought these gutter covers from an Armenian (fairly recent emigre from Yerevan I think). I was interested in the product and when I came accross an Armenian selling I didn't even care to lok elsewhere - i gave him my business...of course my family members tell me I paid to much/got ripped off (but that was without even knowing what I paid...LOL!)...they just assumed. Anyway I agree - I share your concerns that we are not doing enough to support are own - or even care to - and this is a shame...perhaps greater awareness is needed...campignsd at church - posters - education campaigns or what not...don't know...and of course more efforts to form joint business ventures in Armenia to encourage/stimulate imports from their is needed (just the environment is risky and I know it turns some off...) In the mean time - I don't see it as such a crime to buy Turkish - not really...even with the considerations of the past. In fact if Armenians puclicized (to Turks & others) that they had no qualms about it perhaps it would ease up Turkish feelings that we just hate them and could foster some friendship overtures - don't know. I feel similarly about opening the border. Obviously there are legit concerns about Armenias markets being flooded - but I really don't know the extent of this a sa p[otential problem..I just know that regardless of how many of us feel about the Turks it is not in our (Armenias) intersts to have them as an enemy - and some sort of cultural and economic reproachment may/will likely be required before political reproachment becomes a reality. And I do ultimatly think that this is desireable/necessary...etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted July 20, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2003 THOTH jan,You see I have no problem with what you buy or what I would buy or what Harit or any one individual would buy. I do not know you personally, but I think of you as a better Armenian then many of us in Glendale and LA area when it comes to your support an such of the Armenian community. I sometimes feel that the current generation in SoCal is somewhat screwed up and that they do not have the money to support a comfortable life style as recent immigrants, but I also see many drive better cars than I and wear nicer clothes than I and even those do not care it seems to me and this is what I worry about. I know we have MANY individuals here in SoCal and everywhere else that I can look up to and be proud, it is the when you put all of us together that I start to worry about our culture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vava Posted July 20, 2003 Report Share Posted July 20, 2003 Question: Do ethnic groups living outside of their nations have a responsibilty to support their people, merely on the grounds that they share culture/ethnicity? I mean, for example, do the Tamils from Sri Lanka who are living in north America, search out to find other Tamil verndors for their daily groceries? Or do they research the city for car dealerships owned by other Tamils when they're looking for a new car? Or any other ethnic group for that matter? What makes Mr & Mrs Recent Immigrant obliged to do anything other than successful adapt to their new circumstances? I'm trying to put myself in their shoes, rudimentary language skills, perhaps some education - maybe very little, professional skills not applicable in a new country, & no work experience... I'd say it's a rough spot. My last thought would be about helping my 'kind' by paying more for goods that are harder to find... I would certainly have other prioroties. Now, if the Armenian communities would make it easier for other Armenians to 'buy Armenian' , than perhaps we could harness some sort of economic significance... (and I'm not just speaking about Armenian distributors/retailers - I'm refering to Armenian-made, designed products) Is there an Armenian Chamber of Commerce in LA? Are their armenian directories or networks where Armenians can promote their commerces to other Armenians? Without any infrastructure to promote buying Armenian, there is very little chance that your average Armenian is going to seek out Armenian goods - when similar items are more readily available at better prices. I don't know much about the situation in LA, but here - I see very little effort by Armenians to promote their products/services to other Armenians. I had to really go out of my way to find my dentist (who is Armenian), my Optometrist, and a cafe nearby which is owned by an Armenian - although you can't get Armenian coffee there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THOTH Posted July 21, 2003 Report Share Posted July 21, 2003 Vava - here here - I agree with your points. This is in part some of what i was trying to say. So what would you suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THOTH Posted July 21, 2003 Report Share Posted July 21, 2003 Thanks Azat...but I really don't want you to think I am some big benifactor for the Armenian community or Armenia or such - I'm not. OK - I do some things - support some causes/spout off to any and all (LOL) ...but pretty much I live my life as any other American Odar...what can I say? So I'm no better then anyone else. i do my thing - live my life - support and take care of my family...its what we have basically come to I think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harut Posted July 21, 2003 Report Share Posted July 21, 2003 but I also see many drive better cars than I and wear nicer clothes than I and even those do not care it seems to me and this is what I worry about. but...but... isn't this the reason that they (I) all came here, to have better lives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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