There is No Magic Carpet (685 hits)
Category: Politics -> IraqRating: 0.5 on 34 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by KindaNews (View user info) at 2007-01-17 15:38:18 EST
I recently returned from a short gig in the middle east. On a day off, I went with one of the locals to a market. I was looking for a rug to bring back as a gift. This particular market, what many would call a bazaar, is fairly typical of the area. Large, loud, and not exactly like what you've seen in a hundred movies but not that far off the mark, either.
When I found the rug I wanted, I asked the proprietor how much, and he quoted me a price which, while not outrageous, was definitely a little more than I wanted to spend. But considering the fact I come from the wealthiest country on earth (at least for now) and the fact I was being well paid for my work, I decided to go ahead and buy the rug.
But before I could accept the offer, my local friend nudged me and whispered "Walk away."
I didn't know what was up, but I turned and walked away with him.
The seller followed us, and caught me by the elbow near the entrance.
He then offered me a price that was roughly half the amount I was about to pay and far less than I was prepared to spend.
But before I could agree, my handler once again nudged me and whispered, "Walk away.
I briefly thought about protesting, thinking that the rug was now a pretty good deal, and I didn't want to take advantage of the seller, who really looked like he could use the cash.
But I walked away.
We got out to the sidewalk, and I was wondering when my handler was going to explain why I'd passed up what was a really good deal on exactly what I wanted, when the seller rushed around us and stopped me with an offer of half his previous price. Which meant I would pay approximately a quarter of what I was originally resigned to paying, and a price which, like I said, was not outrageous.
Later, he told me, "This is our culture. It would have insulted the man to accept his first offer. Always make your deal on the sidewalk."
As I listened to this, it struck me how little the west in general and the U.S. in particular understand about the cultures to which we aspire to "bring Democracy."
An election is just an election. Democracy is a way of life.
There is an old conundrum one can use to tease believers. "If God is all powerful, can He create a stone so large even He cannot roll it?"
The answer, of course, is that there is no answer.
A conundrum for our times might be,"Is George Bush so incompetent that he can create a problem so complicated no one alive can solve it?"
The answer itself is the conundrum.
Which, I suppose, answers the question.
I'm not sure how to solve the problems in Iraq, but perhaps we should make our deal on the sidewalk.
I'm not saying the rug seller would have been unhappy if I had paid the full asking price, but we both were satisfied with the end result.
As for the rug, well, it really ties the room together.
User Reviews
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-02-05 02:58:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Wisher (user info) at 2007-01-18 13:00:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I do the same on Ebay all the time on Make An Offer, and even got a "family stitched" 8X10 rug from Iran for 110.00. The carpet kicks ass, 'cept I spilled candle wax on it~ fortunately the wax was crimson and so was the rug.
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2007-01-18 12:21:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
In the mid 80s I got to go to Karachi, Pakistan. While there I also shopped for rugs with a cohort of mine. In one shop we saw all these rugs in various styles and colors, very nice and some not so nice. The owner of the shop watched us look around for about 5 minutes and came over to us. He asked, "You Americans?" Like he couldn't tell. "Yes". "Look at this rug in the corner, just for Americans." It was well-hidden in the corner behind several other rugs. It was not like the other rugs in the shop which had patterns and colors that symbolize a story or thought. Unlike the other rugs, this one had a picture woven into it. A picture of a white woman with big ol' hooties, wearing a bikini, and holding a 6-pack of beer.
Didn't buy that or any rug from the guy, but I did learn a lesson about what Pakistanis think motivates Americans.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-01-18 09:05:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I had a similar experience when I was marketplace shopping in India last summer for some textiles. The co-worker that accompanied me basically told me in advance of the same tactic, and the cultural reason behind it.
Kudos for bringing back that memory with this thought-provoking post.
Submitted by v8lover (user info) at 2007-01-18 07:02:49 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2007-01-18 01:44:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2007-01-17 19:54:40 (#)
Ranking: 1
I've got your magic carpet right here buddy.
==================
It's true. We did it like, ten times.
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-01-17 23:52:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by homer42 (user info) at 2007-01-17 22:50:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i meant
Submitted by homer42 (user info) at 2007-01-17 22:50:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Jack,
I like what you write usually but you're upside down on this one... True he leans dangerously left it would sound (i.e. bad) but he's right this is their culture. Yes you are right it's fucked up, crazy, insane backwards but that IS the point. You have no idea how backwards the muslim culture is - it's fucked up beyond belief. It only serves to support your position really - yet another demonstration of how insane they are. One account: http://rantsand.blogspot.com/2006/09/observations-on-arabs.html
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2007-01-17 18:30:50 (#)
Ranking: -2
What an utter crock of shit.
1) We're supposed to believe the rug seller wouldn't take top dollar from some foreign prick? Give me a break. Instead of pushing Democracy on them maybe we should be pushing capitalism so they don't all just give their shit away and starve to death.
2) Fuck that noble rug-seller. The ignoramus could charge top-dollar for a few years and then buy his family out of that shithole, unless he is noble enough to want to stay in that war-torn shithole, in which case, fuck him.
3) You go all the way to the Middle East and this is result? All your posts blow, and this one is no exception.
Submitted by Charlton_H (user info) at 2007-01-17 21:33:40 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by KindaNews (user info) at 2007-01-17 19:30:55 (#)
Ranking: 0
Ha ha thanks, Jack.
You prove my point about cultural differences.
Allegorically speaking, of course.
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Suck my cock.
Allegorically speaking, of course.
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2007-01-17 21:27:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
If I had written this EXACT same piece, you and your fellow Asshole University graduate, Homer,
would have -2ed my ass into oblivion.
I, however, having more class than both of you multiplied together, decided to take the
high road.
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2007-01-17 19:54:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I've got your magic carpet right here buddy.
Ok, I thought that before I even read the post, but resisted the urge to rate before reading.
Submitted by KindaNews (user info) at 2007-01-17 19:30:55 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Ha ha thanks, Jack.
You prove my point about cultural differences.
Allegorically speaking, of course.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2007-01-17 19:27:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2007-01-17 19:18:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Without reading the reviews; I'm going to guess that people are rating the poster.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2007-01-17 19:14:33 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Well, TheBig Lebowski grabs you a point.
I hope this -1 doesn't kill my average rating for your posts.
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2007-01-17 18:31:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I'll be returning to Iraq for the 4th time(argh!)in 45 days.
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2007-01-17 18:30:50 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
What an utter crock of shit.
1) We're supposed to believe the rug seller wouldn't take top dollar from some foreign prick? Give me a break. Instead of pushing Democracy on them maybe we should be pushing capitalism so they don't all just give their shit away and starve to death.
2) Fuck that noble rug-seller. The ignoramus could charge top-dollar for a few years and then buy his family out of that shithole, unless he is noble enough to want to stay in that war-torn shithole, in which case, fuck him.
3) You go all the way to the Middle East and this is result? All your posts blow, and this one is no exception.
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2007-01-17 18:29:09 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
;) glad you're safe!
Submitted by i_can_get_you_a_toe (user info) at 2007-01-17 18:13:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2007-01-17 16:33:30 (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by homer42 (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:41:17 (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 big lebowski reference.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-01-17 17:59:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
... and actually this wasn't bad at all.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-01-17 17:58:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by homer42 (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:43:27 (#)
Ranking: 2
I nominate this douchebag for biggest prick on ubersite. What a fucktard.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:42:01 (#)
Ranking: -2
i wish you got asploded by an IED over there
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HA-HAH!
Oh TrollyX is not the biggest prick on ubersite. Not even by a long stretch.
He is just an old pretentious self important shit disturber who is only ever somewhat amusing - but mostly like a rock in yer shoe : harmless but fucking irritating.
The irony of YOU finding someone a prick around these parts is glorious, however.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-01-17 17:58:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I want to pee on your rug.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2007-01-17 17:41:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I like this very much.
Submitted by Adamdidit2u (user info) at 2007-01-17 17:26:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
meh
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2007-01-17 16:33:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by homer42 (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:41:17 (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 big lebowski reference.
Submitted by homer42 (user info) at 2007-01-17 16:01:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
he does have a point there...
Submitted by ilikesteak (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:51:17 (#)
Ranking: -2
then you aren't even considerate enough to show us a picture of the rug. You sir, are a cunt.
Submitted by ilikesteak (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:51:17 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
You let me down by crushing my dreams of owning a flying carpet, then your post sucked , then you aren't even considerate enough to show us a picture of the rug. You sir, are a cunt.
Submitted by Luther (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:46:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by homer42 (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:43:27 (#)
Ranking: 2
I nominate this douchebag for biggest prick on ubersite. What a fucktard
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I definately thought someone was talking about you here- til I read who submitted it. Though what he said was pretty rotten, you're not always Mr. Niceypants yourself, Homey.
Submitted by sweetcheebs (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:44:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I liked it.
Submitted by Luther (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:43:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I like it when people put politics into terms that my little mind can understand.
Why didn't we get to see a picture of the rug? I'd have +2'ed this if I got to see the rug. I just loooove interior design!
Submitted by homer42 (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:43:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I nominate this douchebag for biggest prick on ubersite. What a fucktard.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:42:01 (#)
Ranking: -2
i wish you got asploded by an IED over there
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:42:01 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
i wish you got asploded by an IED over there
Submitted by homer42 (user info) at 2007-01-17 15:41:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 big lebowski reference.
"As for the rug, well, it really ties the room together."