Comments on: Paris Sandwich Calls me a Terrorist

By: Lateef

Lateef — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:32:30 +0000

Thanks for posting this story. I guess no more ‘food snobbing’ at Paris sandwich lol. For the rules and methods to contact Visa, MC, and AMEX for violations go to the Consumerist article: http://consumerist.com/consumer/your-rights/how-to-report-merchants-for-requiring-a-minimum-purchase-or-making-you-show-id-333160.php

By: Lateef

Lateef — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:01:54 +0000

Thanks for posting this story.

You all can get more info on the No Minimum rules for Visa, MC, and Amex (which allows minimums) on Consumerist: http://consumerist.com/consumer/your-rights/how-to-report-merchants-for-requiring-a-minimum-purchase-or-making-you-show-id-333160.php

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:14:52 +0000

Haha. I can’t believe this. My mom works in Chinatown, anc comes home and asks me to google Paris Sandwich, because word wen around in Chinatown that the people running the place were rude..
You should go to A Chau Deli instead. They’re more polite

By: The Settlers

The Settlers — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:24:17 +0000

I am amazed that you remained so calm, man. Kudos to you.

I think we will be facing this more what with the econoly going down and we being looked upon as job snatchers.

Cheers.

By: Bombay Addict

Bombay Addict — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:47:28 +0000

Agree with Aditya.

I’m not sure if I should be saying this is funny, but in some ways it is (especially the part when you say “a Chinese guy calls me, an Indian guy, a terrorist in this one of the most immigrant friendly cities of the world.”) I’m just glad this didn’t descend to violence. Pity this stuff happens.

And if I can comment on what Mehernaaz said. In Bombay, the MNS have a problem with the people from UP and Bihar, who (as per MNS) take away job opportunities from the marathi manoos, and hence don’t deserve to stay in Bombay and enjoy it’s, well, largesse. So, if a marathi manoos called the milkman a bhaiyya and the milkman retorted back, depending on where and when this happened, the milkman could have been killed/had his face blackened/deported to UP/Bihar. (Sorry, I know this is off-topic, but I couldn’t resist it).

By: bapu

bapu — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 02:18:12 +0000

so you see..how a molehill turns into a mountain

By: Mehernaaz

Mehernaaz — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:12:15 +0000

Its disgusting, racism. And considering you have faced similar ‘mistaken identity’ situations on many an occasion.
Had you been in Mumbai, we could’ve possibly gone to the MNS. Some stone throwing would’ve ensued after robust threats of deportment. Nai?
In all seriousness, hope youre ok. Please dont lose your cool at such times (and we know this was not the last). Not all people who call you names are harmless.
Am going to check up on this credit card minimum purchase thingie. Here a lot of places dont even accept debit cards at all let alone this minimum amount nonsense, because i think they have to pay a small premium. outright refusal inspite of articles in papers that shop owners cant refuse debit cards.

By: arZan

arZan — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:32:57 +0000

Hi All

Thanks for your comments.

In the US, Mastercard and Visa both have in their merchant agreements, that there can be no minimum charges for using the card and they cannot charge extra for using the card. And they have an easy way to report this infringement of the End User License Agreement. This may be different in India.

Well the Paris Sandwich is so called because of the French influence on Vietnam right through the 20th century. The sandwich itself is a really fresh baguette (french) and the filling inside has vietnamese influence.

Aditya (#10) that you for raising the valid point. I guess it would not be a big deal in India, but calling someone a terrorist here has the same connotations as “maa pe/behen pe” gaali…..times 10.

By: Aditya Kuber

Aditya Kuber — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:27:53 +0000

It’s interesting how everyone’s focussing on the ‘minimum payment’ part and nothe ‘terrorist’! Commercialism! But tell me why is a Vietnamese shop in NY called Paris?

By: RZD

RZD — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:38:32 +0000

well, the pic almost looks like the store is in Asia, not NY!, is that racial? It can happen only in the Big Apple!

By: Blue Bike

Blue Bike — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:01:36 +0000

Initially when I read the post, I thought you were talking about Hanoi where this incident happened to you !! But the occurrence of something like this in NYC raised the shock to a completely different level.

Anyways, about the minimum pricing thing, there are even many desi stores within the USA that insist on a minimum $10 purchase if you pay with cards …

By: Aaren

Aaren — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:35:55 +0000

This is ridiculous. Would’ve never thought that one would see stuff like this in NYC.

Out of curiosity, does the Mastercard policy override the store-owner’s preferences in terms of who he wants to serve? Doesn’t the use of the card imply the shopowner’s willingness to sell to you? – which may not be the case if you transact below a certain amount; he may believe that its not worth his time. Just wondering….

Not that this justifies any kind of bad behaviour. I think you did the right thing by calling 911 – no one should get shoved around arbitrarily.

By: Nishit

Nishit — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:47:56 +0000

Like most of the above comments, I am unaware of the illegality of minimum limit imposing. Can you please pass me the link you mentioned where one can report such vendors to Visa/Mastercard?

By: Iya

Iya — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:46:10 +0000

the minimum amount thing is pretty common place in India. Almost all shops and stores and even restaurants have this policy.. I had no idea that it was illegal.. let us know if any action is taken by Mastercard.. and such abusive behavior and the cops let him go with a warning…that’s not done…

By: asuph

asuph — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:08:05 +0000

Hmmm. Man, you seem to get the worst out of these hotel owners/managers . I remember some old blog where they threw you out for insisting on a larger table or something.

A few years back it was routine for shops in India to charge extra if you were using credit cards. Then the market forces changed that, and it’s almost a history now. But minimum amount is pretty much a rule here. I think I’m going to spam the Visa site with complaints, at this rate.

No wonder Jerry got all those ideas for Seinfeld. NYC seems to be full of interesting characters.

Fun apart, it’s kind of sad and even scary.

asuph