Friday, May 28

Who are you, where you are from?

Significance of a person in Azerbaijan does not come with what that person has done or achieved. It comes with his/her family background (or precisely what they own and how much they own), who they are and where they come from. 

Last night, after a great night celebrating one of my best friend's birthdays in Baku, we all ended up in a local restaurant, to watch Eurovision song contest. Unfortunately our fun night turned into one of the worst. Why? Well simply because a son of some major billionaire of Baku (also owner of Azerbaijan rail ways)  was sitting at a table next to us with his other three friends, totally drunk, swearing and making guests sitting around them feel uncomfortable. 

And while, in any other place or in any other country, the owner would kindly ask his guests either to be quiet or leave the venue, it didn't happen here. In fact, the useless security that was standing outside of the venue was just standing there and not making a single move. 

Meanwhile, the main guy (who is also responsible for one my friend loosing his job) continued talking and swearing out loud without even a slightest sign of regret. He even ordered someone else on the phone to fire a girl who worked for him. 

We left, annoyed and frustrated because this is Azerbaijan. Because here, if you are from a very "important" family you cannot be touched. Bura Azerbaycandir (here is Azerbaijan), everything is possible here...

8 comments:

Unknown said...

that can be a case everywhere, even in western democracies. high rank societies always have privileges at some extent... though the situation u described can be extreme

Anonymous said...

AG, First of all, Bayramin Mubarek!
Sorushmaq ayib olmasin, "where are you from"? :)))))

M.A

Arzu Geybulla said...

@Giorgi, true and I agree with that, its just yesterday it was pretty bad. And also at the very end when we were leaving one of the guys told us to "fuck off back to our Turkey and never come back here" and that was really the top of it. i think they thought we might get into a fight with them, but of course we never would have done something like that.
@M.A :))) I am from Azerbaijan, a country full of possibilities :))

Onnik Krikorian said...

I think the problem is definitely more prevalent in countries such as Azerbaijan. Actually, and no surprises here, it's the same in Armenia.

In western democracies, it might happen a few times, but ultimately society is ordered and the rule of law as well as an albeit flawed system of equality takes precedent.

Sorry, Giorgi, you just can't compare the situation in the Caucasus with that of the West. Yes, we have our problems, but nothing like it is here in this region. Really...

On the other hand, as a rule, I will always try to avoid any place anywhere where the son of a billionaire will frequent and I'd suggest others do to. Usually such places are full of arrogant, pretentious shitheads anyway.

And those really are the people I don't want to be withing ten meters of. :)

Onnik Krikorian said...

As for fighting, given that I always learn something new about your many skills and talents, I'm surprised that you're also not a black belt in karate or something... ;)

Unknown said...

Hi Arzu

Would be nice to know the name of the restaurant, as I don't wana go there myseful. It would be very useful if you tell the name..

thanks

lishtota said...

well, if no one reacts, that's the way people want to live :(

Anonymous said...

Interesting, why would someone rich want to upset people around...

Would I do that if I were rich?