Martin- This is a jewelry forum. Most of us who responded did so to
point out how foolish preconceived notions are by using anctedotes
from a perspective that is appropriate to this forum.
I’m a big proponent of marriage equity because it’s the right thing
to do.
When talking social justice with folks “the right thing to do” is my
base for discussion. When I’m on a jewelry site I point out the
advantages of having a huge new client base.
I do the same with issues of race or folks with disabilities.
The near-perfect avoidance of the central questions raised by
this incident indicates to me that this racism makes folks
uncomfortable. They dropped it like a hot potato
The above statement was what I was afraid the original poster was
about.
This is not a political forum! Store security is an issue. But what
the others have posted about profiling is not just the color of your
skin. To make it a and issue about race across the whole industry
based on one incident alone is not good. If this was happening in all
stores across the country everyday, yes you could say it is a problem
of just race. It is not that simple. It is about individual peoples
perception of others.
As to the incident that is being brought up once again to gain a
political view, I for one do not like what happened. But I also do
not like one incident being brought up to make us angry. Or to
belittle us for not being outraged as the OP was. Right now we have a
climate that we might as well wrap ourselves up in a bubble and not
go any where do anything, or worse even open our mouths for fear of
offending someone. My attitude to those who want to stir the pot is.
“grow up!” That is not to belittle situations that do occur. But it
is to say to the pot stirrers, that not all think like you! Take this
for MY OWN OPINION. Others will have their opinions as well.
I also have a saying I pass on to all especially when I do
demonstrations on stage,
“It never hurts to be nice! Until you piss me off then I can scare
God!”
Aggie The old lady doing hand therapy by typing this tirade
Another comment on racial prejudice. President Obama once said on
national television that he had frequently been tailed through stores
by security when shopping. Obviously, not because of the way he was
dressed, his behavior, or anything besides his color. How must that
effect your outlook on life!
Another comment, I was in NYC years ago, and being a fan of Lily
Dache, the hat maker, was locked out of her store in spite of sales
people watching me through the glass door. I assume I didn’t fit
their profile of a promising customer. (I wasn’t, of course, not
having that kind of money) I had met Miss Dache in Washington under
different circumstances and had found her to be a really nice lady
with no pretences, so assume it was merely the sales staff who were
snobbish. Note, it was not racial.
I thought the responses to your original post were actually quite
refreshing. Their genuine, unassuming pragmatism gives me reason for
hope. As does the second batch.
And worth noting that these days, at least for most folks who live
somewhere near an urban area, having the land or affording to rent
the space, as well as the other living requirements of owning a
horse (not quite the cheapest hobby ever, after all), should suggest
that anyone who smells like horses probably isn’t a pauper (unless
horse ownership, like a boat or an airplane ownership, has soaked up
all excess funds…)
Or if you’re a horse professional. We’re the ones who train and take
care of the zillionaire who does it for the hobby. Not that all
non-professionals are zillionaires.
I am not trying to convert this forum to a political forum when it
is a jewelry forum, nor trying to elevate race issues above any
other issues that affect how business people treat to their
customers. Nor, as mentioned in my original post, do I imagine that
jewellers are any different than any other business people. It is a
tendency of mine that I do try to look beyond the first layer of
meaning in most things i see and I often find, especially in looking
at my own actions and thoughts, that the deeper layers put me into
conflict with myself. In a general way this sometimes results in
"moral" issues intruding, one might say, into “business” decisions.
Life would be so much easier without this inconvenient distraction
and mixing of criteria.
There have been a number of occasions of late where this type of
issue has come up prominently; for example, the notorious case of
the folks who wouldn’t bake a cake for a same-sex wedding, that sort
of thing. Goes right back to the "no shirt, no shoes, no service"
signs we’ve all seen. So, I guess the question that is rattling
around in my mind has more to do with trying to understand exactly
what are the obligations, legal or moral, of any business which is
ostensibly open to “the public” with no other qualifications stated.
A business selling high-priced goods obviously prices out a segment
of the public, but in that case the prospective customer can decide
for himself that this isn’t a door to enter. He doesn’t have the
decision made for him based on another’s judgement about his worth
as a human being.
So, yes, this is not specifically a jewelry issue and i apologize to
any who think I’ve injected an inappropriate thread. There is great
value in this forum and i am grateful for all i have learned here,
about jewelry, about people, about business. There is hardly a day
goes by that I don’t find something illuminating here.
And I do appreciate all the funny comments about customers who smell
like horses. One of my daughters became a successful horsewoman in
her long voyage towards adulthood and we had to live with the smell
and the considerable expense of that adventure. I learned a lot
through that as well. I believe that learning at an early age to
face down and control thousand pound beasts who have the brains of
dinosaurs probably contributed more to her success as a lawyer than
all her years in law school.
Marty in Victoria where the sun is shining, but it might be a trick
to lure me outside. Better take an umbrella.
Goes right back to the "no shirt, no shoes, no service" signs we've
all seen.
Really? I applaud those establishments, especially restaurants, who
believe the majority of their clientele would rather not be
surrounded by barefoot, half naked people. There are times and places
where such attire (or lack thereof) is not appropriate.
There are people in Phoenix who grumble because Wal-Mart has signs
posted asking people not to wear their guns inside the store. Rank
discrimination, no?
I had a wonderful experience with a customer who appeared at my
booth years ago in a wheelchair, with a speech difficulty. She
clearly liked my work and I took the time to pick up anything she
indicated she liked with a nod of her head, put it on her, hold up
a mirror. After a little while, a young lady came to the booth,
(her daughter). She had been observing our interaction and
purchased several items for her mother and for herself. It was a
healthy sale. [snip] You never know where your next loyal customer
is coming from. Barbara in Texas where it is finally raining.
Barbara are you selling retail or wholesale at shows?