TOP 10 ‘DON’TS’ FOR DIASPORANS IN ARMENIA
By Dro Tsarian
Eurasia Review
-donts-for-diasporans-in-armenia.html
May 13 2010
(The Armenian Reporter) — While the number of amazing "to do" things
in Armenia are too long to list, below is a list of ten simple things
each Diaspora visitor can do to be helpful to Armenia on his or her
trip, and to also protect oneself.
If each visitor from Diaspora does his or her small part to set the
right example and to also demand the same from locals, Armenia will
improve a lot quicker.
So on your next visit, remember that you can not only have a great
holiday but also give back to Armenia by helping make this place a
better place to live for everyone.
1. Do not throw trash on the floor or leave trash outside of the city
where there are no trash cans. Bring the trash back to the city and
find a trash can to throw it in.
2. Do not allow anyone to cut in front of you in lines for any
reason. Waiting in lines in an organized manner is lacking amongst
many locals, so set an example of how people should wait their turn
in lines.
3. Do not give bribes to anyone or for anything. You can get most
everything done in Armenia legally only if you insist on your rights
and do not take short cuts by giving bribes.
4. Do not give money to beggars who thrive on summer seasons scavenging
of off tourists. Most of them work in groups or with sponsors and
have their designated areas where they know the most money can be
made. If you want to help beggars, buy them food.
5. Do not be fooled by sob stories from your driver or recently met
friend in Armenia in order to convince you to give financial help. It’s
not atypical of some cunning locals to play on patriotic emotions of
Diasporans in order to make a quick financial gain.
6. Do not buy any real estate or valuable items at anywhere near the
listed price. Always offer half and up to 1/5 of the price you’ve
been quoted. It’s quite normal by locals to offer ridiculously high
prices to Diasporans while they would never quote similar prices to
other locals.
7. Do not allow taxi drivers to start driving without putting on
their meter and do not sit in taxies that don’t have official yellow
license plates or are without meters. Ask if their meter works before
you get into the taxi.
8. Do not cross intersections on red lights, wait until the light
green and demand cars to stop for you to cross the intersection. Set
an example for those pedestrians and drivers who have yet to learn
the traffic laws.
9. If you are not a smoker, do not start smoking in Armenia because
"everyone else" does. Set an example that smoking is not "cool"
and that smoking is increasingly uncommon and looked down upon.
10. Finally, do not bring your black clothing with you to
Armenia. There is a big lack of color in clothing in Armenia as vast
majority of the locals wear mostly black specially in colder months,
so bring your colorful clothing to add some color to the city.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
