Originally posted by KazetNagorraYeah, it's the same as with Champagne - it's "sparkling wine" if it's not made in france or in Champagned itself maybe.
The Chinese government could make it so if they wished. For example, the EU government recently banned the use of the name "feta" for the use on cheese which is not prepared in the traditional Greek way, in Greece.
Scotch is also only scotch if it's made in Scotland I think.
I guess whichever middle eastern country wants to keep the kuffiyeh then elsewhere it can just be called a "Middle eastern scarf"?
Originally posted by PsychoPawnIt is authenticity to a degree, but also, Chinese kuffiyat are merely one piece of fabric with coloring. Mideastern (artisan) kuffiyat are two different fabrics sown into each other. There's a lot more care that goes into making a Mideastern one than a Chinese one.
What's different between the ones made in the Mideast vs the ones made in China?
Are the ones made in the Mideast more durable or is just a matter of authenticity?
Originally posted by scherzoAren't they quite easy to tell apart, then?
It is authenticity to a degree, but also, Chinese kuffiyat are merely one piece of fabric with coloring. Mideastern (artisan) kuffiyat are two different fabrics sown into each other. There's a lot more care that goes into making a Mideastern one than a Chinese one.
Originally posted by scherzoI would imagine people would be willing to pay more for the more authentic and better cared for product just like there are those that are willing to pay for authentic prada bags over the cheap knock-offs.
It is authenticity to a degree, but also, Chinese kuffiyat are merely one piece of fabric with coloring. Mideastern (artisan) kuffiyat are two different fabrics sown into each other. There's a lot more care that goes into making a Mideastern one than a Chinese one.
Originally posted by PsychoPawnYes, but in the current economic situation (see my previous post), people are more willing to sacrifice quality for price. Especially because about the only thing coming out of the Mideast right now is oil.
I would imagine people would be willing to pay more for the more authentic and better cared for product just like there are those that are willing to pay for authentic prada bags over the cheap knock-offs.
Originally posted by scherzoFrankly, I'm not sure I think there is a real problem to solve except for the middle easterners who seem to need to find a more diversified set of products to export.
Yes, but in the current economic situation (see my previous post), people are more willing to sacrifice quality for price. Especially because about the only thing coming out of the Mideast right now is oil.
I don't see how the Chinese businesses are doing something morally wrong - unless they are somehow labeling the items as being made in the middle east.
Originally posted by PsychoPawnIt's wrong because it's knowingly disenfranchising artisan workers without their permission or even, initially, their knowledge. Now many artisans are being driven out of business by China.
Frankly, I'm not sure I think there is a real problem to solve except for the middle easterners who seem to need to find a more diversified set of products to export.
I don't see how the Chinese businesses are doing something morally wrong - unless they are somehow labeling the items as being made in the middle east.
Originally posted by scherzoThey're competing in a market for a product.
It's wrong because it's knowingly disenfranchising artisan workers without their permission or even, initially, their knowledge. Now many artisans are being driven out of business by China.
I sympathize with the artisans, but they don't have an absolute right to have an exclusive market for a product.
Frankly, why would China need their permission?
Do carpet makers need to ask Persian carpet makers if they can make that style of carpet?
Originally posted by PsychoPawnThe artisans have a right to their market because it's the national product of their country. China knows that by manufacturing more kuffiyat at a lower quality but cheaper price, they will force the artisans out of business. I for one find this intolerable, whatever the wishes of China.
They're competing in a market for a product.
I sympathize with the artisans, but they don't have an absolute right to have an exclusive market for a product.
Frankly, why would China need their permission?
Do carpet makers need to ask Persian carpet makers if they can make that style of carpet?
Originally posted by scherzoSo if the US made cars their "national product of their country" then no other country could ethically make cars? What and who dictates that?
The artisans have a right to their market because it's the national product of their country. China knows that by manufacturing more kuffiyat at a lower quality but cheaper price, they will force the artisans out of business. I for one find this intolerable, whatever the wishes of China.
Typically with any kind of mass production getting started into a market the market for the higher quality artisan item will go down because many don't want to pay that much more. That would happen within a country even if China didn't.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraWhich is actually BS as the type of cheese called "feta" in English is produced everywhere in the Balkans (and it's not a regional cheese, even in Greece).
The Chinese government could make it so if they wished. For example, the EU government recently banned the use of the name "feta" for the use on cheese which is not prepared in the traditional Greek way, in Greece.
Not that this reduces the validity of your point.