Oprah Winfrey victim of racism in Switzerland

[Steven_Draker]

http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/oprah-trois-pommes.jpg?w=594&h=431

 

The last person you would expect to be subjected to an act of racism was: Oprah Winfrey.

 

Oprah, one of the richest women in the world, was in Zurich, Switzerland, when an assistant at an upscale handbag shop told her the purse she was looking at (worth over $35,000) was “too expensive” for her.

 

During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Oprah said she tried not to make a big deal out of it.

 

“I could’ve had the whole blow-up thing and thrown down the black card, but why do that? But that clearly is, you know ... it [racism] still exists. Of course it does,” she said.

 

Oprah was in Switzerland for friend Tina Turner’s wedding last month when she decided to go out on her own to do a bit of shopping.

 

In the store, when she asked to see a bag that was up behind a screen, the store clerk point-blank refused to give it to her, saying she “didn’t want to hurt her feelings” and instead showed her other, less expensive bags.

 

“I didn’t have my eyelashes on, but I was in full Oprah Winfrey gear,” she said.

 

The Oprah Winfrey Show, which went off the air three years ago, apparently never aired in Switzerland.

 

“This doesn’t happen to me unless somebody obviously doesn’t know that it’s me,” Oprah said.

 

She walked out of the store and didn’t buy anything.

 

The BBC reported that the owner of the shop said it was a “misunderstanding.”

 

Oprah has long shared her opinions on racism, having famously said, “You cannot be my friend and use [the N] word around me.”

 

She told ET that Paula Deen “was sort of used as a symbol” and said she doesn’t use the N-word because of what it represents.

 

“I do not run in the circle of people who use the word loosely.”

 

“For me it’s out of respect to those people who it was the last word they heard while they were being hung, the last word they heard when they were being fired, the last word they heard when their house was being burned. It’s the word heard every day when they were walking down the street and they had to step off the side walk to let other people pass,” she said.

 

A spokeswoman for the Swiss tourism office told The Associated Press “we are very sorry for what happened to her.” The office also posted an apology on Twitter, saying “this person [the shop assistant] acted terribly wrong.”

 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/why-oprah-says-she-was-a-victim-of-racism-in-switzerland/article13681836/

[Atlantagaguy]

If I was the clerk, I would have not allowed her to buy the handbag either. No one should spend $35,000 for a handbag. lol

[Kevin Slater]

Reminds me of the Condi anecdote.

 

Rice asked to see some earrings. The clerk showed her costume jewelry. Rice asked to see something nicer, prompting the clerk to whisper some sass under her breath.

 

"Let's get one thing straight," Rice laid in. "You are behind the counter because you have to work for minimum wage. I'm on this side asking to see the good jewelry because I make considerably more."

Kevin Slater

[BaronArtz]

I think 'O' had a similar incident at Hermes in Paris when she showed up a few minutes after the scheduled closing time and they wouldn't let her in the store. She easily gets offended when people don't recognize her - and she needs a LOT of make-up to be presentable and to be recognizable as 'O'. There are always two sides to a story. Could it be that European stores don't like loud-mouthed tourists? It is not necessarily racism.

[foxy]

Years ago I stood outside an expensive store on Madison Avenue NYC. I rang the bell for entrance to the store. A clerk looked up from the counter and waved me away refusing to buzz me in. It was the middle of the day. There were a few patrons in the store obviously better dressed than I was. I'm an old white guy but I guess I didn't look like I could afford anything in the store. I could, but just barely. So it's not just a color issue. Some stores don't want to "waste" their time with you. Like Oprah I probably won't return. The sales clerks in Target are very nice.

[McLeanspider]

Reminds me of the Condi anecdote.

 

Rice asked to see some earrings. The clerk showed her costume jewelry. Rice asked to see something nicer, prompting the clerk to whisper some sass under her breath.

 

"Let's get one thing straight," Rice laid in. "You are behind the counter because you have to work for minimum wage. I'm on this side asking to see the good jewelry because I make considerably more."

Kevin Slater

 

Condi Rice also was accepted in the University of Alabama because of affirmative action programs... obviously after she used the ladder the government gave her to go up in life she wants to burn it for everyone else to use it...

 

I know some foreigners and they keep saying that people in the US are very polite and sometimes they are shocked to run into blue-collar people of all races with bad attitude. Is not a matter of skin color of the person behind the counter, I think it's just hating your job/life and assuming the client won't buy because of his/her skin color, etc.

 

Let's remember that people die trying to make it to Europe and the US, I'm not a Republican but if you are poor in this country, maybe there's something wrong about you.

 

Wanna migrate to Argentina, India, Mexico and see if you have better chances there?

[+ FreshFluff]

I think this is more of a classism than a racism issue. Europeans tend to dress up to go shopping at high end stores, while Oprah was in a tracksuit. For what it's worth, Tina Turner frequents the same store.

 

We also haven't heard the sales clerk's side of the story. Could it be that Oprah said something like "Wow, that's a lot for a bag like this" and was shown other, less expensive bags as a result? The language barrier might have been an issue too; the clerk spoke English, but the connotation of her words might have come off wrong.

 

Also, Oprah does have a movie coming out right now.

 

Condi's complaint sounds more valid.

[+ FreshFluff]

Condi Rice also was accepted in the University of Alabama because of affirmative action programs... obviously after she used the ladder the government gave her to go up in life she wants to burn it for everyone else to use it...

 

Are her high school grades public? Whatever you think of her public service record, she's a smart cookie, so I'd think she would have made it in easily without the help of any programs.

[Frequentflier]

I think 'O' had a similar incident at Hermes in Paris when she showed up a few minutes after the scheduled closing time and they wouldn't let her in the store. She easily gets offended when people don't recognize her - and she needs a LOT of make-up to be presentable and to be recognizable as 'O'. There are always two sides to a story. Could it be that European stores don't like loud-mouthed tourists? It is not necessarily racism.

 

No, it's not that European stores don't like loud mouthed tourists. You weren't there in either case but profess to have apparently been the fly on the wall. And you've actually spent time with Oprah and know she is easily offended and have been in her presence when she isn't made up? I think the true spots, if not already known, are now.

 

I was traveling to a resort area here in the US recently and observed some French tourists that wanted to go into a bakery that had just closed for the day. One of the employees was moving dining furniture inside. The employee opened the bakery for the customers and I thought to myself that it was very hospitable and the tourists would go away with a favorable impression. One is either customer focused or not. There isn't a middle ground like "sometimes" or for "some customers".

 

Racism and discrimination can't be disguised as something else. And IF Oprah's race wasn't the cause for the lack of respect she was shown by shop employees then it was extreme stupidity by people most owners hope are focused on the wellness of their business.

[Frequentflier]

 

Let's remember that people die trying to make it to Europe and the US, I'm not a Republican but if you are poor in this country, maybe there's something wrong about you.

 

"maybe" is fair to say because we know people need to work hard, show initiative and take some risks. I wonder though when most of the top 10 cities with the lowest mobility from the bottom economic stratus to the top and with high rates of single mother households are "confederate" cities if there isn't something more to the issue. Do I think that as a well educated white man I've had it easier (to what degree it can be argued) than black people, heck yes. What President Obama said about walking down the street and people locking their car doors, or getting into an elevator and people clutching their pocketbooks tighter is true. America has a wide streak of racism still but I have hope the next generations will allow the country to breed its way out of the condition. I've no patience for voluntarily stupidity and thats what racists have.

[Frequentflier]

I think this is more of a classism than a racism issue. Europeans tend to dress up to go shopping at high end stores, while Oprah was in a tracksuit. For what it's worth, Tina Turner frequents the same store.

 

We also haven't heard the sales clerk's side of the story. Could it be that Oprah said something like "Wow, that's a lot for a bag like this" and was shown other, less expensive bags as a result? The language barrier might have been an issue too; the clerk spoke English, but the connotation of her words might have come off wrong.

 

Also, Oprah does have a movie coming out right now.

 

Condi's complaint sounds more valid.

 

And Roswell really happened. The aliens are still living amongst us but look like humans.

[BaronArtz]

I think this is more of a classism than a racism issue. Europeans tend to dress up to go shopping at high end stores, while Oprah was in a tracksuit. For what it's worth, Tina Turner frequents the same store.

 

We also haven't heard the sales clerk's side of the story. Could it be that Oprah said something like "Wow, that's a lot for a bag like this" and was shown other, less expensive bags as a result? The language barrier might have been an issue too; the clerk spoke English, but the connotation of her words might have come off wrong.

 

Also, Oprah does have a movie coming out right now.

 

Condi's complaint sounds more valid.

 

I agree with you. Very well said. Although Condi's comments were mean.

[Frequentflier]

Years ago I stood outside an expensive store on Madison Avenue NYC. I rang the bell for entrance to the store. A clerk looked up from the counter and waved me away refusing to buzz me in. It was the middle of the day. There were a few patrons in the store obviously better dressed than I was. I'm an old white guy but I guess I didn't look like I could afford anything in the store. I could, but just barely. So it's not just a color issue. Some stores don't want to "waste" their time with you. Like Oprah I probably won't return. The sales clerks in Target are very nice.

 

How you were treated really sucks. I'm fortunate that I've never had to feel what thats like but I do have the ability to empathize and don't like the feeling. I've known too many who are "all hat, no cattle" (all white people by the way). Looks just don't tie to economics. One comes into this world and leaves with the same amount of money in their pockets. Treat people poorly and there isn't going to be enough sunscreen to help you in the afterlife. I'll add that some people think they could never be discriminated against because they are white, maybe educated and have some money. Don't be confused. I've seen those same people looked down upon by people who are better educated, have much more money, have a title, etc.

[JoeyBryant]

http://memeorama.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/oprah-winfrey-what-gif.gif

[liubit]

I lived in Switzerland for 12 years and, boy, did I find the Swiss racist and xenophobe!! This story does not surprise me at all. I don't think it is a misunderstanding on the part of the store employee, this attitude is totally embedded in their most holier-than-thou Helvetic DNA. Despicable.

[bigvalboy]

No, it's not that European stores don't like loud mouthed tourists. You weren't there in either case but profess to have apparently been the fly on the wall. And you've actually spent time with Oprah and know she is easily offended and have been in her presence when she isn't made up? I think the true spots, if not already known, are now.

 

I was traveling to a resort area here in the US recently and observed some French tourists that wanted to go into a bakery that had just closed for the day. One of the employees was moving dining furniture inside. The employee opened the bakery for the customers and I thought to myself that it was very hospitable and the tourists would go away with a favorable impression. One is either customer focused or not. There isn't a middle ground like "sometimes" or for "some customers".

 

Racism and discrimination can't be disguised as something else. And IF Oprah's race wasn't the cause for the lack of respect she was shown by shop employees then it was extreme stupidity by people most owners hope are focused on the wellness of their business.

 

+1....excellent post FF

[Steven_Draker]

Here's what the shop's owner has to say about the incident ... 0:56 mark

 

[video=youtube;yvrn-l6AiQw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yvrn-l6AiQw

 

Fact is that few people in Switzerland know who Oprah Winfrey is.

 

Probably "O" didn't get the attention and treatment she is used to.

 

And when the media mogul gets her feelings hurt, the world gets to know about it.

[Boink]

>> Also, Oprah does have a movie coming out right now. <<

 

BINGO !!! And, neatly, a movie about class and racism.

[anotherjohnindupont]

Are her high school grades public? Whatever you think of her public service record, she's a smart cookie, so I'd think she would have made it in easily without the help of any programs.

 

Yes, but why is she talking against affirmative action when she got a lot of help by those programs.

 

Is like one of my uncles who served in WW2 was the first member of my Irish Catholic family to go to college because of the GI bill (may I remind people that Irish were called the N word too), opened a business and bought a house with a government backed loan and became a fanatic of the Reagan Revolution screaming "get the government off my back...."

 

Now about all this Oprah issue... I think she was discriminated but maybe the employee was just tired and had other things to do, who knows what was in his mind.

[+ Axiom2001]

I lived in Switzerland for 12 years and, boy, did I find the Swiss racist and xenophobe!! This story does not surprise me at all. I don't think it is a misunderstanding on the part of the store employee, this attitude is totally embedded in their most holier-than-thou Helvetic DNA. Despicable.

 

Don't brand "ALL" for the acts of one and/or many!! The same was said to me about the Argentines in Argentina as well, but I did not encounter or sense....

[+ Axiom2001]

>> Also, Oprah does have a movie coming out right now. <<

 

BINGO !!! And, neatly, a movie about class and racism.

 

...and a film "every American" should go see!!!! She and the cast are getting valid exposure now; I saw previews earlier this summer and thought at the time that this is a must see: "The Butler,"

for it is based on history.

[BaronArtz]

Here's what the shop's owner has to say about the incident ... 0:56 mark

 

[video=youtube;yvrn-l6AiQw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yvrn-l6AiQw

 

Fact is that few people in Switzerland know who Oprah Winfrey is.

 

Probably "O" didn't get the attention and treatment she is used to.

 

And when the media mogul gets her feelings hurt, the world gets to know about it.

 

That's exactly right. She thinks of herself as a mogul, and gets all in a tizzy when people don't recognize her - even 'sans' make-up. If you want to see what she looks like 'naturelle' take a look at 'Beloved'. No wonder a store employee in Europe doesn't recognize her. She pulled a similar prank at Hermes in Paris a few years back and demanded an apology. Possibly, there is some racism involved, which I would find despicable, but in this case it's more about O's inflated ego being hurt. She needs to grow up.

[desertguy1954]

There is not a one of us that has not made some comment like Condi. I have always found her to be a very bright individual. I to feel that even though she got into college the way she did, she could have made it without that help. I do not agree with all of her political views, but she is one outstanding lady.

Oprah has show all of us regardless of color that you can make it in this world. She is to be admired for all the crap she has gone thru to get to where she is.

[Boink]

...and a film "every American" should go see!!!!

 

But wait a minute!! Isn't Jane Fonda in that movie??!!

[+ FreshFluff]

I agree with you. Very well said. Although Condi's comments were mean.

 

If the salesperson was muttering nasty stuff under her breath, she (the salesperson) deserved a nasty response.

 

As for Oprah, it's hard to know what really happened without having been there. Europe (in general) is certainly not known for its customer service--for anyone.

 

As for being snubbed for class reasons, it definitely happens. The few times I've gone to Bergdorf to buy some low end item, I've had to be pretty assertive to get the attention of the salesperson. I assume that it's because I'm wearing flip flops and denim shorts, which causes them to peg me as middle class. In contrast, they're all over the ladies wearing Chanel.