When Turkish Dogs Bark ‘Hav Hav’ and Cardi B Drops ‘Clout,’ Surprising Global Links Emerge
The JAM CQ collection blends global onomatopoeias, cultural clout, and beloved breads to spark conversations that transcend borders.
A special BONUS newsletter this week! We normally only send out newsletters Wednesdays and every other Monday, but we had a special for today!
A few years ago, I burst out laughing when my husband informed me that roosters make the sound “ur-roo-uuuhhh.” (Say it out loud and notice how different it sounds.) I begged him not to teach this strange and clearly wrong onomatopoeia to our future children, who would surely get teased because roosters clearly say, “Cock-a-doodle-doo.” He scoffed in disgust and cursed, “What the hell is ‘Cock-a-doodle-doo’?” We then went through all the different animal sounds in Turkish and English, cracking each other up the entire night.
This culture clash over animal sounds inspired our first store collection, the “World Bark Collection,” which showcases how dogs sound to people of different nations. Dogs because, let’s be honest, do you really want to wear a rooster shirt?
For the items in our store—which we at JAM CQ reserve full rights to rename in the future—I wanted to go beyond the typical “pin where you’ve been on a map” gifts for those who love to live life without borders. I aimed to create designs that truly reflect the heart and depth of cultural interactions. We curated items that are fun conversation starters because they require layers of explanation and intercultural experience to fully appreciate.
For each design, we balance aesthetics with education. For example, Turkish dogs usually say “hav hav,” not simply one “hav,” but for the sake of aesthetics, we only included one word. Just double it in your mind to be culturally accurate!
What is the Guanxi, Wasta, Clout design all about?
When I first learned the Arabic term “Wasta” (واسِطة), I felt like a super-cool cultural insider. The word is similar to the English term “clout,” which refers to influence or power, particularly in the form of connections in politics or business. In some circles, it can carry a negative connotation, suggesting nepotism or borderline corruption to get ahead.
However, the more I learn about the world, the more I see how wasta exists in every culture and permeates everything. To me, it’s no longer a negative term but a concept that highlights the universal power of relationships. Some may disagree, but truly, at a certain point in life, for anyone in any industry, who you know often becomes more important than what you know.
The concept is so prolific that in 2019, rapper Offset and his then-wife Cardi B released the hit song Clout, adding an extra layer of street cred to the term. For those unfamiliar, these are American rap artists. In the song, Cardi B calls out people who start fights with her online, stating (in much more vulgar and direct terms) that they’ll do anything to associate with her and raise their profile:
“They using my name for clickbait (Clickbait)
B*tches even wanna start fake beef (Fake beef)
To sell their little weave in the mixtape
They know I’m the bomb, they ticking me off
Saying anything to get a response
…
Do anything for clout (Anything)
They do anything for clout (Anything).”
When designing this piece, I wanted to infuse the bold energy of Cardi B and Offset into the concept of wasta. I thought about who usually has the most guanxi (the Chinese equivalent of clout) in any culture: people who have been around longer and lived through more. That’s how I arrived at the grilled-out, gold-chain-wearing granny. Now that is a woman with Guanxi, Wasta, Clout, and everything in between.
I told my co-founder Alice, “If anyone gets this design without reading the explanation, I want to meet them. Seriously, we must be friends because they must be insanely cool.”
Now You Know We Can’t Talk About Culture Without Food.
How many types of flatbreads can you think of? Close your eyes and imagine those amazing carbs. Each has a unique taste—some buttery and flat, some rubbery and cohesive—and even distinct scents, like garlic. This is why I will never be skinny. I may love a Desigual (Barcelona designer) dress, but I love garlic naan, pita, and fresh tortillas more.
Carbs, particularly breads and pastries, feel like a universal love language. They are where warmth and art intersect. Think about croissants in Europe: so much love, care, and diligence go into crafting each buttery flake. You can’t serve stale croissants in countries like France or Italy; they’re often the reason people get up in the morning.
Then there’s the simit in Turkey. Though it’s shaped like a bagel, its taste, texture, and scent are entirely unique. The sesame seeds give it a slightly nutty flavor, and it pairs beautifully with fresh parsley, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
Since the Guanxi, Wasta, Clout collection has a tough, gangsta vibe, I wanted to balance it with the warm, fuzzy feeling of bread.
So, whether you want to laugh, stunt, or feel warm, our thoughtfully designed store has something for you. We’ll be adding items over time, and we’d love for you to share suggestions for curating future collections. Before the holidays, don’t settle for another scratch-off map (which I admit I own, haha). Instead, gift something truly unique!
Your now more cultured because…
You see how Cardi B and Offset’s song Clout resonates deeply with Chinese and Arabic vocabulary.
You understand that animal sounds vary across languages.
You’ve uncovered the universal love language of pastries.
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