What cultural traits do Armenians share?

[Shoshan]

Tonight, I had an experiance which has become all too familiar and uncomfortable. At a fundraiser, yet another person came up to me and asked: "Are you a member of Synagogue [B] or [C]?" My answer: "I'm not Jewish, I'm Armenian" was met with the usual: "Ohhh...Oh, Okay."

What made this encounter different from others was: not only was I not asked about who did my rhinoplasty (I'm not joking) but I was told: "Same thing; everyone hates us for being over-educated, obsessed with financial success and tenaciously hanging on to our traditions.... don't you agree?" This was said in the light manner of "Isnt-it-the-sad-truth."

Which brings me to why I am here. I suddenly realized I have never met another Armenian outside my family and I have no idea what to make of this statement. Any thoughts?

[ArmenianKid]

well my dad is money crazed. and im over-educated for my age, i always confuse the kids in my class. but my brother is a total idiot and as no money. so i guess it varieys.

[Shoshan]

Armenian Kid,

Thank you so much for replying! I want to ask you so many questions... but the one thing I was taught about Armenian manners is: they are very complicated and there is a long list of topics that can be seen as offensive . Unfortunetly, that's all I was told. I'd really like to persue some of the things you said...

[ArmoBarbi]

Shoshan, feel free to ask. All I will say based on your posts so far is that: we are people just like everyone else. There are good and bad, bright and dumb, rich and poor, etc. What we have in common with Jews is that we are ancient civilizations who have been persecuted by another group, and who value our national religion and tend to have "middle eastern" physical features, but even the physical doesn't apply to all. The things you mentioned are stereotypes, which can rarely be trusted (if ever).

[Anonymouse]

Tonight, I had an experiance which has become all too familiar and uncomfortable. At a fundraiser, yet another person came up to me and asked: "Are you a member of Synagogue [B] or [C]?" My answer: "I'm not Jewish, I'm Armenian" was met with the usual: "Ohhh...Oh, Okay."

What made this encounter different from others was: not only was I not asked about who did my rhinoplasty (I'm not joking) but I was told: "Same thing; everyone hates us for being over-educated, obsessed with financial success and tenaciously hanging on to our traditions.... don't you agree?" This was said in the light manner of "Isnt-it-the-sad-truth."

Which brings me to why I am here. I suddenly realized I have never met another Armenian outside my family and I have no idea what to make of this statement. Any thoughts?

Jews and Armenians do share many things being a little people. They both have a sense of business acumen, dominate trade and are educated. I don't know about you. Jews dominated trade and money in Europe prior to the Nazi's rising. They held many prestiguous positions such as doctors or lawyers, etc. Armenians, likewise, in the Ottoman era dominated trade, were advisors in government, were a successful people. And usually being a little people and successful at the same time, you are easiyl able to stand out.

[Che_Ka]

Shoshan: There's a small Armenian community in Denver! I know there's a HMEM (Homenetmen) chapter there now, and there's a yearly Armenian skiing event (SunSki, I think).

Anonymouse: I agree. Jews and Armenians are very similar! Let's not forget that we both suffered genocide as well -- which transforms the entire psyche of a people.

[ArmoBarbi]

Shoshan: There's a small Armenian community in Denver! I know there's a HMEM (Homenetmen) chapter there now, and there's a yearly Armenian skiing event (SunSki, I think).

Anonymouse: I agree. Jews and Armenians are very similar! Let's not forget that we both suffered genocide as well -- which transforms the entire psyche of a people.

Kind of like when I mentioned that we both have been persecuted? We both stood out and were easy targets. Many people besides us have been in that position though.

[jessoussi]

wut traits do they share?
i guess they're all like racist!

[Tres Bien]

[IMG]yet another person came up to me and asked: "Are you a member of Synagogue [B] or [C]?" My answer: "I'm not Jewish, I'm Armenian" was met with the usual: "Ohhh...Oh, Okay."[/IMG]


maybe you have a big nose like they seem to have very often just as armenians dooooooooooooooo...


I can see armenians have similarites to jews, but also with persians, french, swedes, indians or even asian people or africans.

Id like to add that maybe because their roots ,(jewish) are from Caucasus..from some tribe living there, cant remember the name if it though, that they can have resemblence to armenians.

[Tres Bien]

[QUOTE=Anonymouse]Jews and Armenians do share many things being a little people. They both have a sense of business acumen, dominate trade and are educated. I don't know about you. Jews dominated trade and money in Europe prior to the Nazi's rising. They held many prestiguous positions such as doctors or lawyers, etc. Armenians, likewise, in the Ottoman era dominated trade, were advisors in government, were a successful people. And usually being a little people and successful at the same time, you are easiyl able to stand out.



there is a differents between to wich is about what the motive behing the buissnes and morals behind it...yes buissness is about making a profit though There is a differents in wich way an armenain do buisness,in my point of view ( the proffesional armenain buissness man) and the jewish way...

one is with morals , and the other WITHOUT IT". Jews like to steal things...