2008/12/30 Varanasi
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Yesterday a salesman in New Delhi convinced me to buy a carpet.
I paid more than two thousand dollars for this carpet. The salesman said: “This carpet comes from Kashmir, a family worked on it for more than a year.” After I agreed to buy the first carpet he offered me another one for eleven thousand dollars. Because I was young and a friend of the Kashmiri people I could take it home for nine thousand dollars.
I said to him: “I have to think about it. Your carpet is big and my apartment is small.” Then I left his store.


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32 comments Last_comment
Only a pity that the family in Kashmir won't catch the two thousand dollars, but only a fraction of it.
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 11:46 • x
Normally two thousand dollars is the price for an antique one.
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 11:47 • x
When I worked in Turkey I guided people around town. One stop was a place where they make carpets, silk carpets. I've never asked anyone about the prize, so thanks for sharing.
said Dens Powells 30/12/2008 12:12 • x
Arnon
Because he --I --was young and a friend of the people in Kashmir I could take it home for nine thousand dollars.
said David Manos Pefko 30/12/2008 12:41 • x
Or is it a silk one?
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 13:06 • x
Arnon
I’m surprised the salesman, after those last words, didn’t left the store, pursued you, and offered the carpet for less than eight thousand. This carpet reminds me of one of my favorite movies, ‘the big lebowski.’
said Kevino Class 30/12/2008 14:36 • x
That's a good movie. Arnon, have you negotiated with this man over this price? Or is that not a habit in India?
said Jules Vano 30/12/2008 15:58 • x
Anyhow, if it is the carpet one can see on the photo, it's a very nice one.
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 16:14 • x
As Laura can attest, I love to end a conversation by saying "I'll think about it".
In fact, my last words may very well be "I'll think about it".
said Oscar Wilde 30/12/2008 16:17 • x
Arnon
Something that might interest you. Stefaan De Clerck just gave his oath to the king and is now minister of justice.
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 17:21 • x
Mr. Grunberg
I was wondering what it's like to have a cult following. You definitely seem to have one, considering the eagerness with which a number of people respond to your every word on this blog.
This probably means I'm jealous. I'm thinking about starting a cult of my own. Do you have any advice for a beginning cult leader? Does India offer any inspiration in this respect?
said Marc Colsen 30/12/2008 17:41 • x
Mieke
Is Stefaan de Clerk the former mayor of Kortrijk?
said Arnon Grunberg 30/12/2008 18:30 • x
Mieke
Are you an expert on carpets?
said Arnon Grunberg 30/12/2008 18:31 • x
Mr.Colson
In order to achieve that you need three M's. Surround yourself with MYSTERY, tell people you have a MISSION and last but not least, you need a MESSAGE.
Do you think you can master these three?
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 18:32 • x
Arnon
Yes, I am talking about the mayor of Kortrijk.
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 18:34 • x
It all depends on the amount of knots , but we bought an Indian carpet for my mother last year here in Belgium for 500 euro.
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 18:57 • x
Mieke
Believe me, my carpet has more knots than any other carpet in this region.
said Arnon Grunberg 30/12/2008 19:10 • x
Pefko
The "he" was a typo. Thanks for pointing it out to me.
said Arnon Grunberg 30/12/2008 19:14 • x
Oscar
Once upon a time I had a friend who said: "When Arnon says 'I'll think about it', he means 'no'."
said Arnon Grunberg 30/12/2008 19:15 • x
Arnon
www.mengal-orient.be/Galerie/tapis-persans-orient/shop.php?image=10
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 19:16 • x
If it is real silk (do the fire test!) and the carpet is densely knotted, then you have a fine carpet for a nice price, it seems.
I like oriental carpets, especially the silk Persian (in the eighties you paid € 1.000,00 for a mere 60 x 80 cm!) Qum and the Turkish Hereke was even more expensive.
said Bernard f 30/12/2008 19:21 • x
Mieke
The URL doesn't work.
said Arnon Grunberg 30/12/2008 19:23 • x
Pefko
oh, please... you never spotted my spellingmistake yesterday.
Lovely, the gracious way in which Arnon responded...
I won't make a habit of commenting on comments, since this is Arnon's blog etc.
said Joanne Hartmann 30/12/2008 19:24 • x
Please Joanne,
You said it yourself "it's Arnon's blog" not yours, your spelling mistakes are your problem.
said David Manos Pefko 30/12/2008 19:29 • x
Arnon
Strange, it works on my computer.
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 19:48 • x
www.mengal-orient.be/
Look into soldes section second page.
said Mieke Dutoit 30/12/2008 19:53 • x
Joanne
All the posters here comment on comments, do you think Arnon works for hours on every post? It are discussion starters, so please do give your comment on my endless comments on your comments ( ;)
That’s the fun Joanne. (Great title for a very silly book)
I only placed those comments on your comments because your posts are from a very irritating kind.
Why don’t you start your own blog? It’s quite easy Joanne.
I like your name by the way, that’s something
said David Manos Pefko 30/12/2008 20:17 • x
@Joanne: I hope you haven't really given up entirely on writing The Great Dutch Novel, have you?
said aliefka ... 30/12/2008 20:49 • x
Arnon
My "I'll think about it" means something between "probably not" and "not in a million years".
said Oscar Wilde 31/12/2008 01:42 • x
dear David
why do you find them so irritating?
said Joanne Hartmann 31/12/2008 19:33 • x
Joanne
Do you have an email, or do you want me to write it down here?
said David Manos Pefko 01/01/2009 15:25 • x
Hi David
people love me or hate me... I've grown used to it.
So , by all means, put your comments right out on the blog.
I can take it.
said Joanne Hartmann 01/01/2009 22:04 • x
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