Oldtimer wasn’t saying the guy didn’t have the RIGHT to name the business after himself; he was saying it wasn’t particularly savvy to do so at that time, on which point I agree. Money knows no ideology, and if you want some…you’d do well to cozy up to whatever ideologies the people whose bucks you want posess.
(I’m thinking here of the ferry operator in Josey Wales who went from whistling Dixie to The Battle Hymn of the Republic as he crossed the river.)
“Oldtimer wasn’t saying the guy didn’t have the RIGHT to name the business after himself; he was saying it wasn’t particularly savvy to do so at that time, on which point I agree.”
Yup!
A business owner who is interested in having his business thrive always needs to consider whether the image that his business projects is one that will help his business or hurt it.
I submit the case of a business near me that rents heavy equipment, refills propane cylinders, and provides some other services. I was in the vicinity one day, seeking a place for a propane refill, when I came upon this business. The business’s front lawn was festooned with signs for a few political candidates whom I consider to be…radical…fringe…possibly dangerous…individuals.
Because I am free to spend my money where I choose, I chose to drive past that business, and to patronize somebody else’s business.
The other place where I spent my money may be owned by somebody with similar political views, but because that person doesn’t choose to advertise his politics on the premises of his business, I wouldn’t be aware of his political leanings.
I also disagree with you, in that case
I don’t care about savvy, in this particular instance
I think it’s insensitive to say the man shouldn’t have used his name.
And the way he worded it, maybe I misconstrued his meaning. But that’s because he didn’t word it clearly enough.
Maybe it would have been “savvy” if oldtimer hadn’t even made his remarks in the first place
Perception is everything! I was born and raised in a country that was severely abused by Spain during the Reformation wars in the 1500s. It was abused even more during WW II by Germany.
They have buried the past and buy German products galore, and also vacation in Spain.
On the other hand I know a person who was a prisoner of war and interned in a Japanese prison camp. This guy owns a used Jaguar (he was born in England) and his wife drives a Hyundai. The Jag inflicts substantial punishment on his bank account but that’s what he likes.
A guy by the name of Ethan Allen led the Fenian raids into Canada but today Ethan Allen Furniture sell well in Canada under the slogan: “A NAME YOU CAN TRUST”!
And For Good reason! The Volkswagen (The Peoples' Car) Beetle, designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, was Hitler's baby.Sorry, but that's NOT a very good reason.
Post-downfall (and that's the cars we're talking about, right?) The VW make was originally put back into production by the OCCUPYING ALLIES. The only thing tying the bug to that era is the initial design; by a guy trying to kiss up to The Loudmouth With the Chaplin Stache.
And that's a silly reason. We routinely belittle those who worry they might "catch the gay" by showing interest in culture, etc, created by homosexuals...but worrying about "catching the Nazi" is a legit concern? Sorry, not buying it. "To the Victor go the spoils" and all that.
P.S. Did John Glenn "catch the Nazi" by flying a VonBraun-derived rocket?
When Hitler Saw What Was Happening In Other Countries, Like The U.S.A., Where There Was “A Car In Every Garage” (Not So Much In Germany) He Had A Vision For The Peoples’ Car In Germany And As It Turned Out The Solution Was The Inexpensive To Build And Buy Volkswagen.
Also, Don’t Forget About The Volkswagen Kübelwagen (Bucket Car) (German War “Jeep”) And The VW Schwimmwagen (Amphibious Version With Propeller), Designed By Ferdinand Porsche.
No doubt, in my mind, that after the war, seeing German Volkswagen vehicles reminded some people of Hitler and the horrors committed using these tools of war.
CSA
Okay, I probably should have said it wasn’t a RATIONAL reason, not a good one. I can see, given a sufficiently painful experience, not making decisions on the basis of rationality, but perhaps on the avoidance of pain.
I’m well aware of the People’s Car’s history; however, to the extent I go for this thinking (I.e. not very) I’d see more merit to avoiding Japanese cars, a nation that was somewhat unrepentant (still kept the Emperor!), and had its own damning human rights violations swept under the rug, so the USA could better conduct Asian War I and Asian War II.
I drove by the local hand truck factory that is now a mosque. In the parking lot was a van with huge lettering: “Istanbul floor and carpet”. I’m not his business consultant but would have suggested a different name for a few years.
“I’m not his business consultant but would have suggested a different name for a few years.”
In A Local Newspaper, Somebody Wrote A Letter Complaining That People In A Certain Immigrant Community Bought Only From Their Own People, Unless What They Wanted To Buy Was Unavailable. I have no way to verify or refute that argument.
CSA
My father in law was 14 and in the Panzer infantry at the end ow WWII. His platoon surrdered to the English army in Denmark. They were treated so poorly that he still hates the English and in his mid-80s.
“Istanbul floor and carpet. I’m not his business consultant but would have suggested a different name for a few years.”
But Istanbul is located in Turkey, which is one of our allies, and has been for…a very long time.
I can understand the possibility of extremely poorly-informed people associating that man with countries where radical Muslims predominate, but because the proprietor knows that Turkey is a mostly-secular Islamic country that fights against terrorists, he probably assumed that nobody would associate his nationality with Islamic terrorists.
If we were to use the same reasoning (about using a different name for a business), then French restaurants shouldn’t call themselves “French” because people in other European countries aided the Nazi cause.
Oh boy. Yeah I’ve been to Istanbul and Turkey. While it is unknown what the radical percentage is, they are 99% Muslim so it is a pretty clear identification. “Turkish Carpet Importers” might have been a more neutral name and still descriptive of the business. There does happen to be a small Lutheran church there too. I’m not getting the French restaurant idea. France was both occupied by and assisting the Nazis, depending on who you are talking about. It is unclear though how their 800,000 person army was so quickly over-run. But you expect French food at a French restaurant if that’s what you want. And Japanese food at a Japanese restaurant.
Just considered it interesting but what’s new? The sky is blue-no its not.
No doubt, in my mind, that after the war, seeing German Volkswagen vehicles reminded some people of Hitler and the horrors committed using these tools of war.Guilt by association.
Is it also fair to say you’re a communist/terrorist/assorted bad guy if you like one of the AK-variant weapons? (As opposed to domestic M-16 and ARs–don’t want a “firearms in general” discussion.) Car-wise, are you jihadist-sympatico if you drive a Toyota Hilux?
What’s in a Name? Everything if you are in business. We all have our prejudices but there is some common sense that should be applied…
Mr. Listeria should never open Listeria’s Hot Dogs
Miss Fawlty should avoid naming her car dealership Fawlty Motors
Not to mention Ford Chevrolet or Orphan Oldsmobile
I can’t understand why anyone would have their car towed by Camel Tow Service
Or similarly shop Morning Wood Furniture
Then there is The Cockburn family and their company, Cockburn Refrigeration
Some may be more apt like Boring and Associates, CPAs
Or Stoner Drugs
and Dye Funeral Home
Just tryin’ to lighten the subject up a bit!
So back to cars, on our last trip to Ohio, I saw a truck with the sign “Custom Cornholers”. I thought my gosh what the heck is that??? Then I looked it up. Evidently a popular game board, but geeze what a name!!! Navy vets must cringe.
There is a Burrier funeral home near me. No fooling!
It goes beyond just the name of the business. 30+ years ago my brother had an excavating business in the rural area of NH. He bought a Chevy pickup. He made the point that anyone who drive up to a contractor’s office in a Toyota pickup in his neck of the woods simply wouldn’t get the business. At that time there was strong prejudice against “rice burners”.
Agreed TSM! Back when GM and Toyota had a joint venture making cars in Fremont California with UAW labor there were union workers in my plant that wouldn’t TOUCH a Fremont-made Corolla but oddly enough bought Geo Prizms. Nearly the same car, same plant, same workers, different badges. Similar reactions to Camrys from Kentucky and Hondas from Ohio. I still hear it from the Buy American crowd that have no idea the car model they won’t buy is built in the USA.
“I still hear it from the Buy American crowd that have no idea the car model they won’t buy is built in the USA.”
…and many of them are also unaware that their “All-American” GM, Ford, or Chrysler product was made in Mexico or Canada.
...and many of them are also unaware that their "All-American" GM, Ford, or Chrysler product was made in Mexico or Canada.
Or the ones made in the US use many components made in many other parts of the world…or the robotics used to make that vehicle are also not made in the US.