Because Oprah shouldn't be the only one with an audience.

[joyful_molly]

Here's a rough translation of the statement of the salesperson who, according to Oprah Winfrey, didn't want to sell her an expensive handbag because said salesperson was being racist.

The Gods know this country is xenophobic and racist at times, but both sides should be heard, and Oprah isn't right just because she has a huge audience. So here's a

Comments

[oloriel]

I can easily see how "It's the same bag like the one I'm holding in my hands, just far more expensive. I'm happy to show you other bags" could be understood as "It's the same bag like the one I'm holding in my hands, but too expensive, you won't be able to afford it. I'm happy to show you other bags, though". I mean, it's almost a Pragmatics textbook case for how implicature and implication can get out of hand. (Much better than the example that was in our textbook, actually

[veronica_rich]

It seems to me a lot could have been avoided if Oprah had simply been an adult and insisted on seeing the bag. I'm a relative nobody and also American, and years ago when I was in a Chinese mall waiting for a restroom stall, the attendant held me back as a couple opened up, guiding other people into them and explaining the large stall would be open soon - I'm fat, and she clearly thought she was helping me. Instead of getting offended, I insisted on going into the next regular stall and explained I didn't need special treatment and that it was a fine size (and it was).

I also mitigated it with humor - "I've got to GO now" - the same way Oprah could have by saying "Oh, I can afford it."

[eglantine_br]

That is a very good point. Just saying what you mean/want is pretty rare and refreshing, actually.

[classics_lover]

THIS.

Clearly, though, the poor sales girl is being martyred for not being psychic enough to realise that Oprah wanted to hold/feel the croc bag. She actually told her that it was the same as the bag she had in her hand, but for the material it was made from, I assume she was telling her that in case Oprah was curious about different dimensions or pockets or something.

But seriously, why Oprah couldn't have said, "Actually, I'd really like to get a feel of that bag..." instead of causing an international Incident over nothing? This gives me such retail ragefeels.

[joyful_molly]

Yes, yes and yes!

(This could have happened at the rides in a German amusement park as well, by the way. Though probably a bit more discreet.)

[veronica_rich]

Thought you might find this interesting: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/08/13/oprah-sorry-for-switzerlands-flap/2646949

[joyful_molly]

(Much better than the example that was in our textbook, actually.)

It is a textbook example. I don't know much about OW, but I guess she experienced a ton of horrible racism in her life, and is now always on her guard. So her alarm bells might go off even if there was no racism involved. But I don't know about her life.

I could imagine some sort of culture clash is at work here as well. Oprah is an icon in the US, here, people don't know her (the salesperson didn't either). Maybe she interpreted the lack of extra-enthusiasm which most people would show if meeting one of their idols as negative?

[oloriel]

Yeah. I guess that's the good thing about it: In future Pragmatics classes, one could use this incident as a prime example for Why Pragmatics Are Relevant. :P

And yes, I expect that was part of it, too!

[veronica_rich]

Yes, Oprah's life story is that she had a hard childhood (her father even molested her, I believe) and she's big into African and African-American causes. But she used to strike me as someone who had sense, as well, and she's really too damn old to be perpetuating this kind of misunderstanding if that's all it is.