Cyprus-Forum.com

[Tim Drayton]

The UK was undoubtedly a very racist place in the 1970's. I was growing up in an all-white town at the time and one thing I clearly remember was the way that Asians gradually took over all the corner shops there. They succeeded in re-inventing the corner shop at a time when supermarkets were putting these establishments out of business. I can assure you that most people in the town at the time were not positively disposed towards people with dark skins. Euphemisms like "I am going to the Pakkie's" gradually acquired widespread use to describe the act of visiting the local shop. The term "Pakkie" in those days was certainly not used as a term of endearment. Yet "go to the Pakkie's" people did. The lesson is that even a group that is the victim of racial discrimination can succeed in trading with those who are prejudiced against them if they are sufficiently skilled at marketing. Let us not be too quick to scream "discrimination" just because north Cyprus is losing out in the shopping race. Other factors are involved, too.

[denizaksulu]

I agree with GR!

Let's not beat about the bush ... It was the main reason the British family and myself did not go ahead with our cycling tour around the northern coastline.

43,000 Turkish troops are a little more menacing than a few security guards ambling round a civilised shopping mall in the free areas ...

Besides, we still don't know what happened to those two Dutch tourists that we heard were taken away by Turkish military police for questioning.

And I also know of a few Brits who were stopped and searched by Turks and only let off because they were not Greek Cypriot.

I don't think there any guarantees these uneducated, fascist-driven troops can be trusted not to become heroes by killing another GC ...

...and there was me blaming Halil for the cancellation of your bike tour.

Don't open that can-of-worms again!

You know it was his "threats" on top of reality which led to the decision.

Anyway, halil seems to be behaving at the moment (I like his anecdotal-style threads ) ...

BTW ... Has anyone seen Sotos?

So there is hope yet. Mind you, you will have to bring your own food supply. Halil will be hungry after Ramazan.

[Oracle]

I agree with GR!

Let's not beat about the bush ... It was the main reason the British family and myself did not go ahead with our cycling tour around the northern coastline.

43,000 Turkish troops are a little more menacing than a few security guards ambling round a civilised shopping mall in the free areas ...

Besides, we still don't know what happened to those two Dutch tourists that we heard were taken away by Turkish military police for questioning.

And I also know of a few Brits who were stopped and searched by Turks and only let off because they were not Greek Cypriot.

I don't think there any guarantees these uneducated, fascist-driven troops can be trusted not to become heroes by killing another GC ...

...and there was me blaming Halil for the cancellation of your bike tour.

Same here… I thought it was Halil’s media mismanagement, and Iceman’s lack of satellite sponsorship that ruined it all!

It was lots of things, but lack of sponsorship was not one of them!

Landmines, threats, lack of crossing at Kokkina, killings etc

[Dr J]

At least get your facts right before making wild accusations.

HA! Coming from Y-Fred, thats amazing!!

[halil]

"One only has to visit one of the main branches of a supermarket chain like Orphanides in the south and compare it to the largest supermarkets in the north to understand why they attract so many TC customers."

But Tim, its all about isolation!

Doesn't the north have an unlimited market to tap in Turkey? Aren't there any large Turkish supermarket chains in the north? Are they deliberately charging more to TC's? Is Turkey also isolating the north? Perhaps?

In my opinion it all has to do with economies of scale. The potential market in the north is too small to make large hypermarkets economically viable.

Even when I used to visit north Cyprus from mainland Turkey in the 90's prices there were about 30% higher. I imagine the difference is much greater now.

Tim ,
If big supermarket chains from Turkey opens branches in north Cyprus most of the small markets in TRNC will close down that's why they don't let them to open branches . Lots of families will lost their businesses.

I can clearly say if they opens market chains in Nicosia .GC's markets will get affected from them . As u pointed out people are buying from where they gets reasonable price.

[-mikkie2-]

"I can clearly say if they opens market chains in Nicosia .GC's markets will get affected from them . As u pointed out people are buying from where they gets reasonable price."

And that is the crux of the matter! Turkey is also enforcing a kind of isolation as well!

Realistically speaking, how do the TCs hope to survive, even if a solution comes about? In the south, you have big suprmarket chains - Cypriot, Greek and French - all competing with eachother. Do the TC's expect to have a closed market so that they can develop post solution? Its not realistic. Market forces will always prevail, so the small shops that seem to be prevailant in the north will eventually close as they loose business to mch larger and organised groups, be it Turkish, Greek or Martian!

It is already happening anyway as TC's are voting with their feet by going south to shop. And it will still be the case post solution!

[zan]

The UK was undoubtedly a very racist place in the 1970's. I was growing up in an all-white town at the time and one thing I clearly remember was the way that Asians gradually took over all the corner shops there. They succeeded in re-inventing the corner shop at a time when supermarkets were putting these establishments out of business. I can assure you that most people in the town at the time were not positively disposed towards people with dark skins. Euphemisms like "I am going to the Pakkie's" gradually acquired widespread use to describe the act of visiting the local shop. The term "Pakkie" in those days was certainly not used as a term of endearment. Yet "go to the Pakkie's" people did. The lesson is that even a group that is the victim of racial discrimination can succeed in trading with those who are prejudiced against them if they are sufficiently skilled at marketing. Let us not be too quick to scream "discrimination" just because north Cyprus is losing out in the shopping race. Other factors are involved, too.

One of my exgirlfriends dad did exactly that in Barking. His favourite bear was cheaper at the "Pakkie" shop. Can you imagine how I felt when the whole family got up from the dining table to watch and moan about a black family that was walking down their street? Thats one of the reasons she became an ex-. I have to say that she was not like that and used to rib her father about his bear buying.


You are right when you say it is about the economics of the situation. But lets look into the future. The TC economy will go down and the witch hunt that is seeing TC businesses suffer all over the world, will put even more pressure on them so they will not be able to afford to shop in the south. The "RoC" will not have to stop us physically....They know the extent of their actions all right. When Nadir fell, I knew that other TC businesses would follow...

I know why you heard so many GC voices in the TRNC as well but I am not going to say. Lets just say that the "RoC" cannot compete in that market. I don't mean the casinos either.

[The Cypriot]

One of my exgirlfriends dad did exactly that in Barking. His favourite bear was cheaper at the "Pakkie" shop. Can you imagine how I felt when the whole family got up from the dining table to watch and moan about a black family that was walking down their street? Thats one of the reasons she became an ex-. I have to say that she was not like that and used to rib her father about his bear buying.

I bet she did. Did he have a thing for bears?

You are right when you say it is about the economics of the situation. But lets look into the future. The TC economy will go down and the witch hunt that is seeing TC businesses suffer all over the world, will put even more pressure on them so they will not be able to afford to shop in the south. The "RoC" will not have to stop us physically....They know the extent of their actions all right. When Nadir fell, I knew that other TC businesses would follow...

I know why you heard so many GC voices in the TRNC as well but I am not going to say. Lets just say that the "RoC" cannot compete in that market. I don't mean the casinos either.

After a cheap, strong Turkish bear perhaps.

[zan]

One of my exgirlfriends dad did exactly that in Barking. His favourite bear was cheaper at the "Pakkie" shop. Can you imagine how I felt when the whole family got up from the dining table to watch and moan about a black family that was walking down their street? Thats one of the reasons she became an ex-. I have to say that she was not like that and used to rib her father about his bear buying.

I bet she did. Did he have a thing for bears?

You are right when you say it is about the economics of the situation. But lets look into the future. The TC economy will go down and the witch hunt that is seeing TC businesses suffer all over the world, will put even more pressure on them so they will not be able to afford to shop in the south. The "RoC" will not have to stop us physically....They know the extent of their actions all right. When Nadir fell, I knew that other TC businesses would follow...

I know why you heard so many GC voices in the TRNC as well but I am not going to say. Lets just say that the "RoC" cannot compete in that market. I don't mean the casinos either.

After a cheap, strong Turkish bear perhaps.

Change your name to spellcheck will you

[The Cypriot]

Change your name to spellcheck will you

Mate, you'd better learn to spell yourself if you don't want to end up like this bloke next time you fancy a pint up north...