Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'm assuming you're refering to immigrants. They are able to get started because they buy places cheap....places that more established businessmen might not find attractive. Sometimes, a whole extended family will go together to get bank loans, etc, to get started.
They then proceed to work a 16 or 20 hour day, and use elderly parents or teenage children for 'help', rather than hiring outsiders. They are able to charge high prices, because often they're the only outlet for much of this merchandise in the area, and customers will pay extra for 'convenience'.
I'm not sure many of them are making a "killing"...many of them aren't. But they're new here, they recognize the oportunity for those willing to work 7 days a week, and they enjoy the freedom of 'being your own boss'. And their culture makes 'duty to family'....and to parents...a serious obligation. When the whole FAMILY pitches in, a 'killing' is easy to make...or at least, a living.
They also benefit from being outsiders. For example, if a local person set up a shop, it wouldn't be long before everyone he knew - and all his local family - asked for special discounts or favors. He can either refuse, and maintain a profit margin while alienating friends, or he can give in, and watch profits erode. There's not much room for maneuver due to the narrow margins to begin with.
An outsider does not have those problems, and no one expects special treatment from them.
Do these theories apply directly to Asian businesses, specifically "All you can eat buffets" and convenience stores located in BLACK neighborhoods, where oftentimes these Asian businesses are the only businesses in town?
They also benefit from being outsiders. For example, if a local person set up a shop, it wouldn't be long before everyone he knew - and all his local family - asked for special discounts or favors. He can either refuse, and maintain a profit margin while alienating friends, or he can give in, and watch profits erode. There's not much room for maneuver due to the narrow margins to begin with.
An outsider does not have those problems, and no one expects special treatment from them.
This very syndrome was mentioned some years ago in an article I read....wish I could remember where. It was specifically about young people, and how one young 'inner city' kid would get a fast-food job, and immediately the place would fill up with 'buddies'. Everyone would expect 'freebies', extra servings, etc....and when the employee had to say 'no', he was given the 'cold shoulder', accused of being 'stuck up' etc. Some kids got so upset they quit the job in a few days.
Some were even 'hit on' for loans, since 'you're making money, and I'm not'...and again, you either 'paid up'....or found yourself 'shut out' of the old circle of friends.
it all depends on the area. i live in michigan. in southeast michigan. in the more urban or higher populated areas. arabic people own everything. they own most of the gas stations, party stores, smoke shops, coney islands, cell phone stores etc. they do a great job of keeping all kinds of money in there family. all there family members work at the stores. they help each other open new stores etc. but the truth of the matter is they also do some shady under the table business as well. i can't speak for the asians myself.
Do these theories apply directly to Asian businesses, specifically "All you can eat buffets" and convenience stores located in BLACK neighborhoods, where oftentimes these Asian businesses are the only businesses in town?
Not sure how these business break down. I do know that in South Central LA, periodic demands go out to "limit" the number of liquor stores....or to refuse licenses for those who want to open a new one, in the 'interests of the community'.
On the other hand, any legal business that's doing well, PROBABLY is doing so because of customer demand.
Sounds like rural native villages in Alaska....many of these places have horrendous alcohol problems..violence, rape, murder, etc. Finally the 'elders' will vote to 'go dry'...and no more alcohol is allowed...even to be carried in from elsewhere. This goes on for a year or so, until "thirst" takes over, the vote is made to allow alcohol again, and it's 'back to square one'. Alcohol, then violence and mayhem...then another "dry" vote..etc etc etc.
Think LA, NYC, and to an extent, every other major city in the country...This OP is no trick question, and has no triggers. Just a question.
If they didn't provide goods or services that were needed or wanted, they wouldn't be in business for long. The new immigrants go to more affordable areas, which explains the location. Being new, they don't have the fears and aversions that most Americans would about the dangers involved. I have noticed that most small liquor stores are owned by Middle Easterners, wig stores by Koreans, and of course the Chinese restaurants by the Chinese.
Because they sell primarily rice and chicken, two cheap, delicious staples. They open in neighborhoods where rent is cheap and the demand is great, but also where fast food places won't open, therefore attracting all the clientele of the area.
Just for the record, Asians don't go to banks for loans. They borrow from family, family friends, neighbors, previous business partners (all Asian) who will eventually get their money back plus interest which will always be much less than that of any bank. Not everyone is paid back at the same time depending on how much money each individual invests in the business, and the interest agreed on beforehand.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
