I was overly nice to you and your husband while you browsed the store picking out furniture for the new house you bought. I was warm and welcoming, and was happy to hear you recently immigrated to Canada for a better life, and that things were going so well for you. The bedroom set you picked out was nice, and I spent the time helping you pick out the box spring and mattress. Then onto furnishings for the livingroom where I kept a list of the sofa set you wanted, along with the end tables, plus the new appliances for your kitchen. It was going well, and you both seem very pleased with what you selected. When you said you’d like everything delivered by the end of next week at no charge, I was more than accommodating and said I’d cover that too. Then you turned on me for no reason: “I give you $700 for sofa set, and $700 for bedroom. I only pay $1100 for kitchen appliance. That my final price.” WTF?! You just spent 1.5 hours with me picking out all this new furniture and appliances, which added up to $5500 and come up with some bullshit negotiation of prices offering to “give” $2500 for it all and then start counting out bills. When I try to explain to you that the sticker price is the price and there is no negotiating, you go into a rant saying you will not let someone scam you because you are a new immigrant with money. What scam? You saw the prices. Raising your voice and repeating “You take my money or I go!” made you sound like a lunatic. How the fuck did you get past immigration’s process like that? All peachy cheery, and then you turn into some sadist consumer. I hate to inform you, but in Canada prices are listed, sometimes there is room to budge on the price, but 50% off the list price is insane. I was glad you left and hopefully you never return to our store. Thankfully I have your name and contact info, so I entered it into our system and included a note regarding this incident, in case you ever return to pull that shit again. If you want furniture for cheap, try fucking Kijiji. —Stomped on Like a Rug
This article appears in Apr 21-27, 2011.
Don’t worry, this purchase negotiation method isn’t limited to new arrivals.
The absolute worst are lawyers.
We did a fair amount of work for this one big firm in town and when we sent them the invoice they informed us that they would only pay half.
If we didn’t like it we were free to sue them and see our money in 5-10 years.
Fuckfaces.
..be prepared for a notice from human rights …and a lengthy tribunal..racist bastard…:)
They probably know how much all of that stuff cost to manufacture back in their hometown.
I thought you were a doctor, ML? Or was that someone else.
In any event, you’re BAD, Ivan! haha.
Seriously though, WTF? I think this is a case where the consumer culture is like this wherever they’re from and expect things to be the same here. I might get flamed up the ass for this, but when people immigrate to Canada, they should at least be expected to respect cultural norms here. I’m not saying they should give up their traditions, but I don’t think it’s our (Canadian citizens (of all races and creeds, blahblah)) job to accommodate their cultural norms. Being respectful of other cultures? Sure, I”m more than willing to do that, but in Canada things are done a certain way just like things are done a certain way in other countries, and if I immigrated to another country I wouldn’t expect them to accommodate me — I’d adapt to their cultural norms because oh hay I’m a guest in their country.
ANyway, flame away.
Nah, I hear Navy types are the same way, they get a ‘cheap chip’ implanted upon swearing in.
Don’t I know it PK >: ) Suffice to say, I’ve spent the morning compromising for morons (ethnicity irrelevant) and Bitcher’s description was both plausible and infuriating. Whoever dreamed up multicultarilism was too scared to add a “Check your bad manners at Immigration” clause.
OP,
Perhaps they expected you to haggle.
Don’t laugh. In many parts of the world, the sticker price is only a starting point.
Even in Canada the purchase price of things from automobiles to mortgages is negotiable if you know what you’re doing.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h179/fly…
it happens all the time at our shoppe, and we will participate…to a point
But Ivan! We’d be racist assholes and SO unwelcoming if we didn’t let immigrants with a bad attitude and bad manners stomp all over us!
I used to shop at this walmart in ottawa who’s primary customer base were immigrants. And every time I’d go, I’d be the only white chick in the entire store (except for the employees) and the looks and treatment I’d get from the other shoppers was disgraceful. I remember this one family ahead of me in the line had a baby and she was giggling and I just smiled because she was cute and her mom saw me and gave me the stink eye and stood in front of the kid so I couldn’t see her. OBVIOUSLY they thought they were above me.
And that’s the thing — some immigrants feel they’re above native canadians (no not aboriginals, Canadian citizens), yet they’re essentially visitors in Canada (until they’re citizens, they’re guests in my opinion — call me whatever you want, but that’s how I see it)! They weren’t too good to move here! I mean if the thought of me looking at their kid caused a reaction like that… perhaps they should re think their choice of country to immigrate to because people, people who don’t look like you or believe in what you believe in, will probably look at your kid.
Ugh, the behaviour of some of those people who I’d encounter at that walmart still makes me so irritated. It’s hard to want to accommodate a certain sect of immigrants when you’re treated so badly by a good number of them.
Ditto – and general attitude is the dealmaker (or breaker). I’ve seen a Progress Club type twat complete with South End fake Brit accent nag a too-tired-to-care-anymore co-worker down to $8.00 from $10.00 and then whip out a MacKenzie King to pay for it. I’d have torched his fucking sailboat (Internet Tough Guy Alert) >; )
geeze buddy, give it at rest. Go back to hfx.news.ca or something. Or maybe halifaxlocals?
The comedian Russell Peters serves as an antidote to folks who think racism and bigotry are one way streets or peculiar to white folks. He punches holes in the myth that these are the sole creation and province of white folks.
There are people all over the world who mistreat others because of the colour of their skin or their religious affiliation. I think the main difference between the racism practiced by former (and current) colonial powers and that practiced by others is that the former (and current) colonial powers have long had the ability to travel halfway around the planet to inflict themselves on less powerful people, while until recently, these less powerful people have only been able to inflict their bigotry on their own ethnic and religious minorities and/or their close neighbours.
To acknowledge this doesn’t make any of it right and in more enlightened corners of the planet this kind of ignorance is frowned upon.
Thus endeth the daily sermon.
“Reason(s) for report: off-topic, spam”
When I was in Egypt last year we were expected to haggle. The girl I was with tried to over haggle this one guy, who had really beautiful and quality jewellery, and he just looked at her and said “Erm, NO”, and she got the idea.
They *were* ruse as shit to treat you like this. Maybe their homeland haggles, though saying “You take x amount!” sounds like dickery, not dickering.
For the record, I know plenty whitey mcwhitingtons who are assholes like this too. Being cheap is a universal condition, regardless of gender, race, creed, colour, tastes great/less filling, or whatever.
Rainbow coalition of douchebags. Ethnicity doesn’t pre-suppose rudeness or racism; but it sure as old fuck doesn’t buy you a pass either.
Attaching anything (insert behavior) to immigrants as a whole group is nonsensical and ignorant. Immigrants do not come from the magical country of ‘Immigrantia’ across the sea and speak ‘Immigrish’. They are from a wide variety of different countries and that don’t necessarily share similar customs. And even when they are from the same country there are still dozens of subclasses and subcultures just like here in Canada.
People would do well to realize that people from all over the world can be assholes before making sweeping generalizations about a collection of people whose only thing in common is that they decided to live in Canada.
People actually act this way, OP!? Though, could I really know, ensconced as I am in my South End ivory tower, sipping afternoon tea with the other gentry after a lovely morning sailing the NW Arm? One must strive to not encourage such rudeness and rum-twattery.
People who immigrate to Canada (i.e.: IMMIGRANTS) have different cultures and social norms. There is no one country that is exactly like Canada, snoop, and if people want to come here (no matter where they come from), they should have to do a little bit of bending to respect the cultural and social norms of the country they are now living in.
I really don’t see how Canada should have to accommodate the lifestyles of every single immigrant who comes here. These people (wherever they come from) knew full well in advance they were moving to a new country and if they’re too stupid to figure out that GEE it might not be the same as where they’re moving from and are assholes to the point where they feel entitled to live the exact same way, then tough luck. Find another place to immigrate to.
I’m so sick and tired of having to be culturally sensitive to everyone who decides to come live here when half the time they don’t give a shit about being culturally sensitive to the country they now live in. The entitlement makes me want to punch them all in the face.
WhOA, PK. I never said that immigrants don’t have different cultures and social norms… or that there is any one country that is exactly like Canada… or that people shouldn’t have to learn the customs of the country they are immigrating to.
Keep your straw men off my lawn.
And I never said anything about immigrants coming from “immigrantia” and speak “immigrish.” So we’re even, dude! 😉
You’ll have to excuse me for the sauciness today, guys. I’ve got that pre-migraine (oh joy) pissiness goin’ on.
Don’t worry, I’ll get mine tomorrow. 🙁
No, we’re not even, dude, because I wasn’t responding to you in that comment. Point out the part of my post where I said “in response to PK” and I’ll gladly admit that you aren’t jumping to conclusions and spazzing out.
http://www.funnyphotos.net.au/images/hay-a…
The OP didn’t cross any lines in terms of racism, stereotyping or discrimination imo. I hate when people think you’re taking advantage of them all the time, and also those who think they’re entitled to tell you how to do your job. “You take money or I go!” this is why I don’t work face to face with the public.
I’ve had some bad experiences dealing with immigrants, too. I try not to let these interactions shape my view of them as a whole but it’s hard. I’m human. It takes a while for them to adjust to our cultural norms. We are one of the most polite places in the world so we’re shocked sometimes when people start raising their voices and making demands, this is the norm in a lot of places. We are not a densely populated place in comparison to China or India or many other countries, I think that plays a big role. If I lived in China with 1.6 billion other people I’d probably raise my voice more often too.
I’m sorry you had to go through that but it’s hilarious. It will be a good story to tell at parties anyway 😉
“The entitlement makes me want to punch them all in the face” AHAHAHAH BAAHAHAHAHAHA LOLOLO LAWL LOL LOLERS LOL LOLING LOLOL SOME MORE LAWLS LOLZZZZ LAFF LAUGHING HAHAH
Y’all “Canadians” (or any foreigner in a foreign country) should see how you act while on vacation down South … entitlement gets a whole new meaning there. Hahahahahah
Imma take that one PK and put it in my laugh bank for rainy depressing days.
I think I should haggle more often when I’m out buying things.
… pointless post is pointless.
The Donk is, as usual correct.
How many times do you get to say that, during your life time? First time for me!
could have had a barter couple, offering up a couple of goats and a child
i’d go for the goats, they are a solution to many problems
Your all immigrants in your own country (except natives), what evolved was the different mixes and cultures coming together to create what is now canada, Which arguably was for the best.
I understand what you are saying PK about how we should come over and do everything the canadian way, but all I ask for off canadians is be open to both ways. I’ll happily sit and listen to the custom of the canadian, but if i find i’m more comfortable my way i’ll often do that.
When i first came to canada there was a lot of local customs i had no idea about and at first seemed ignorant, sometimes it just takes a little patience and a nice guy/gal to point out the way you do things so i can adapt. My culture isn’t miles away from your own but theres still differences, often with other immigrants i’ll give them the benefit of the doubt first.
*Note this is not an attack on anyone, especially you p.k your awesome, just wanted to get out a lot of beef i have with peoples attitudes towards immigrants.
oh just wanted to add i understand what you mean about integration but i think the problem is that most people come over in their own ethnic groups and meet others in them groups and stick together with them so are not exposed to other cultures that allow them to lose their ignorance.
Or i could be completely wrong
that’s the way they do shit in the mideast, they haggle over everything. even if the price is clearly marked. i watched this same type of thing in the bay a couple years ago. that shit is way overpriced anyway.
but this guy, his wife, and about 6 kids, come in, look around, find salesperson, then start to deal on price, him, not the sales person.
it ended with him walking out, and not buying anything. tough luck dude, you either pay the price, or go somewhere else. you do that where you come from, but not here. the prices are set, and you either pay it, or walk the fuck away.
PK, I can’t relate to anything you’re saying. I’ve never had an immigrant give me the stink eye and I’ve never noticed immigrants demanding “special treatment”. Either you happen to run into a massively disproportionate number of jerks…or this is the same manufactured alarmism that plagues the comment sections on news websites.
“that’s the way they do shit in the mideast, they haggle over everything”. Yes, because those crazy primitive folks in the middle east have never seen a department store before. They walk into the Bay thinking they’re in a fucking bazaar. They don’t understand why they can’t trade a goat for a fucking Serta mattress. They try to buy some luggage with spices. THOSE CRAZY ARABS, wtf are they thinking?
/drunk me0w rant
Read that bitch and I pictured exactly what the potential furniture buyers looked like. Let me guess, they came from a boat that arrived in Vancouver last year? Congrats OP for standing your ground.
Sometimes, you just can’t make this stuff up – and the Chinese cry racism?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hamps…
I’m tempted to say that the legal system in the UK is being pretty niggardly with the commonsense…but then I’d probably be called before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.
Anglo: I don’t think immigrants should give up all their customs and cultrual norms, I just think that there shouldn’t be an expectation for Canadians to bend 180 degrees to meet said custom. Understanding and respect is great and necessary, but, in this case, OP was completely in the right, and I think that’s the point I was trying to make — this couple expected OP to bend towards their customs and way of doing things, and when they didn’t, they made it seem like OP was an asshole. That would be like me going to Israel and expecting them to serve me bacon.
Oh i know i completely agree, just wanted to add my two cents there.
PK – I’ve been to Israel, worked for an Israeli company and travelled on Israeli ships – you have to be subtle and ask for white steak and not pork/bacon. Trust me there are a lot of bacon loving Israelis!!
Hell, go into your local Al & Sylvia Quaeda corner store and try beating the owner down a couple of bucks on a carton of smokes. Be sure to invoke your saintly mother who is ill and your firstborn son who’s not quite right in the head. See what that gets you.
Baz: my cousin and her fiance are eventually planning on moving to Israel to start a restuarant. The fiance actually proposed on their first trip there! My cousin is a new convert and has been getting right into eating kosher — she even said there was a kosher mcdicks at the airport there! Though, I don’t think I could eat a burger there without the cheese. heh.
My other Jewish friend told me to try turkey bacon because it’s delicious. NOT SO. HE LIED. It tasted like dried up fried bologna and it made me burp up its aftertaste all day. Plus it gave me an IBS attack, but I’m sure that’s TMI.
PORK BACON AND SAUSAGE FTW!
And srsly: no ham? that’s a life not worth living.
Ivan: NO SMOKES FOR YOU!
I CALL DISCRIMINATION!. I mean really, just how much white male privilege do I have to give up.
P.S. How much for the leetle girl?
http://img.youtube.com/vi/2fSyZw7S-qk/0.jp…
PK – I wish your cousin and fiancee all the best in Israel, it’s a beautiful place and the people, odd at first, but if you learn to adapt – wonderful.
Thanks! The fiance’s family is from there and he lived there for quite some time so he’s fully adapted. The cousin researched proper attire for the ladies and is getting right into the culture. They told me to come with them and live in their garage apartment. 😛
http://img.ehow.com/article-page-main/ehow…
best on eggs benny. with enough hollandaise, y’ll barely taste it anyways
Turkey bacon is nasty.
Give me the real thing:
http://www.slashfood.com/media/2006/1/baco…
Though, I still prefer sausage.
And don’t EVER try chicken bacon. NASTYNESS+++++