Top 10 "don’ts" for Diasporans in Armenia
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The Armenian Reporter
by Dro Tsarian

Published: Wednesday May 12, 2010

Yerevan – 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 is
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.