CrimeDec 03, 2024
Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Florida JewelerJohn Willard Craiger, 83, fatally shot jeweler Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta following an argument in the store.
IndependentsMay 12, 2020
Squirrel Spotting: Life in Lockdown
In his latest column, Peter Smith muses about “Taxi Driver,” a condescending conversation, and what jewelers can learn from his dentist.
Peter Smith is president of Memoire and Hearts On Fire. He is author of two books, “Hiring Squirrels,” and “Sell Something.” Connect with Smith on LinkedIn or at dublinsmith@yahoo.com.
My wife Sherry and I watched the movie “Taxi Driver” last Friday night.
If you’ve seen the classic Robert De Niro film from 1976, you’ll remember it had some pretty heavy content.
As we discussed the film over breakfast Saturday morning, we wondered aloud whether Jodie Foster, who was 12 or 13 at the time she was cast as a prostitute (a role that earned her an Academy Award nomination), was even allowed to watch the film after it was completed.
I turned to Sherry and said, “Do your little Google-ramble.”
She responded, “It’s too early for me to want to hit you!”
Welcome to week nine of COVID-19 lockdown.
For context, I often kid Sherry about her insatiable curiosity.
She and Google are on such good terms that anytime I even hint at a question, she whips out her iPad and looks up the answer. I love it!
Occasionally, I’ll try a little reverse-psychology such as …
“I wonder if so-and-so ever worked with such-and-such.” I do it in such a way as to convey mild, but not motivated, interest.
You can see what’s happening here.
If I said, “Hey Sherry, would you look up …” she’d respond with a something like, “I’ll do that right after I iron your socks.”
Since we are on the subject of condescension, I asked her what the most condescending thing was that’s ever been said to her.
She replied without hesitation that a “friend” once asked her in the course of conversation, “And you make how much running your piddly little jewelry store?”
For the record, she was running a very profitable jewelry store and employing 12 people at the time of the inquiry, many of them the principal breadwinners in their families. He, on the other hand, had a government job, employing nobody.
In an unrelated matter, I saw a post recently from my friend and former colleague, Pat Henneberry.
Pat is one of the funniest people I know, and she posted on Facebook about getting a “we’re all in this together” email from an airline.
Her post suggested that the last time she flew on that airline, her bag weighed 52 pounds and they were apparently not all in this together.
I thought about Pat a couple of days later when someone posted a photo from the same airline showing a flight out of Denver where about one-third of the passengers, and some of the airline’s employees, weren’t wearing face masks.
If you’ve seen the classic Robert De Niro film from 1976, you’ll remember it had some pretty heavy content.
As we discussed the film over breakfast Saturday morning, we wondered aloud whether Jodie Foster, who was 12 or 13 at the time she was cast as a prostitute (a role that earned her an Academy Award nomination), was even allowed to watch the film after it was completed.
I turned to Sherry and said, “Do your little Google-ramble.”
She responded, “It’s too early for me to want to hit you!”
Welcome to week nine of COVID-19 lockdown.
For context, I often kid Sherry about her insatiable curiosity.
She and Google are on such good terms that anytime I even hint at a question, she whips out her iPad and looks up the answer. I love it!
Occasionally, I’ll try a little reverse-psychology such as …
“I wonder if so-and-so ever worked with such-and-such.” I do it in such a way as to convey mild, but not motivated, interest.
You can see what’s happening here.
If I said, “Hey Sherry, would you look up …” she’d respond with a something like, “I’ll do that right after I iron your socks.”
Since we are on the subject of condescension, I asked her what the most condescending thing was that’s ever been said to her.
She replied without hesitation that a “friend” once asked her in the course of conversation, “And you make how much running your piddly little jewelry store?”
For the record, she was running a very profitable jewelry store and employing 12 people at the time of the inquiry, many of them the principal breadwinners in their families. He, on the other hand, had a government job, employing nobody.
In an unrelated matter, I saw a post recently from my friend and former colleague, Pat Henneberry.
Pat is one of the funniest people I know, and she posted on Facebook about getting a “we’re all in this together” email from an airline.
Her post suggested that the last time she flew on that airline, her bag weighed 52 pounds and they were apparently not all in this together.
I thought about Pat a couple of days later when someone posted a photo from the same airline showing a flight out of Denver where about one-third of the passengers, and some of the airline’s employees, weren’t wearing face masks.
The plane was also packed, including people jammed into the middle seats. It wasn’t the kind of environment anyone is likely to welcome post-pandemic.
In better news from the same day, I got an email update from my dentist that could serve as a prototype for how things ought to be done.
It read:
In better news from the same day, I got an email update from my dentist that could serve as a prototype for how things ought to be done.
It read:
“We cannot wait to welcome back our team and patients into a NEW and improved space. Yes, our construction team has been working steadily and safely on creating a space I have always dreamed of having for our patient care. New equipment, new state-of-the-art technology, new features solely focused around our patients, and simply a beautiful space will be waiting to greet you all in the near future. We also used the equipment specifically designed to keep our team members and patients SAFE. Air-filtering systems and extra-oral dental suction systems will be features you don’t see at a typical dental office but will be valuable additions to our office as we stay on the leading edge of safety for everyone in our space. Providing the safest and best possible care is always on our mind and our mission.”
Wow. That is an impact email amid the litany of nonsense we get from businesses telling us how we are “all in this together.” (Many of them, I might add, we’ve barely heard of.)
For what it’s worth, my dentist is a small business owner and, as the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, she’s making the American Dream work for her. I couldn’t be any more proud of her.
That’s a “piddly little” business doing the right stuff in the midst of this crisis.
I’m almost looking forward to going back there.
For what it’s worth, my dentist is a small business owner and, as the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, she’s making the American Dream work for her. I couldn’t be any more proud of her.
That’s a “piddly little” business doing the right stuff in the midst of this crisis.
I’m almost looking forward to going back there.
More on Independents
The Latest
ColumnistsDec 03, 2024
Peter Smith: How a Leadership Hire Can Make or Break a CompanyIn his latest column, Smith provides a list of questions every business needs to be asking their next potential leader.
SourcingDec 03, 2024
Gemstone Cutter Glenn Lehrer Dies at 71An innovative artist inspired by the natural world, Lehrer is remembered for being a visionary and a shining light.
Brought to you by
Protecting Your Sparkle: Why Screening Has Become Essential While no reputable jeweler would knowingly sell lab-grown stones as natural, it's a growing possibility.
WatchesDec 03, 2024
Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin Appoint New CEOsJérôme Lambert returns as CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre, while Laurent Perves takes the lead role at Vacheron Constantin.
Weekly QuizNov 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsDec 03, 2024
Neiman Marcus’ ‘Fantasy Gifts’ Sparkle In Pavé This Holiday SeasonThe extravagant gifts in this year’s “A Neiman’s Fantasy” Holiday Book range from a Messika diamond necklace to pavé diamond cowboy boots.
GradingDec 02, 2024
Jewelry Appraiser Craig Lynch Dies at 70The industry veteran is remembered for his faith, his dedication to his family, his wealth of knowledge and his generosity in sharing it.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
SurveysDec 02, 2024
10-Year Rewind: Comparing 2024 Holiday Shoppers With the Consumers of 2015PricewaterhouseCoopers’ 2024 holiday trends survey took a 10-year look back to see what mattered to consumers then versus now.
Lab-GrownDec 02, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry Set Sells for $55K at Charity AuctionMonique Lhuillier and Kay Jewelers collaborated to create the pieces, which were offered at the recent Baby2Baby gala.
Policies & IssuesNov 27, 2024
G7 Announces Botswana as Second Verification ‘Node’ for Rough DiamondsBotswana joins Antwerp as a certification center for rough under the G7 ban on Russian diamonds.
SourcingNov 27, 2024
Gemfields Reports 'Disappointing' High-Quality Emerald Auction ResultsThe miner said its November sale, which earned $16.1 million, felt the effect of competitive pricing by a rival Zambian producer.
CollectionsNov 27, 2024
Piece of the Week: Mignon Faget’s ‘Crescent Starry Night’ Tassel EarringsMignon Faget honors its hometown of New Orleans with a piece inspired by “The Crescent City.”
TechnologyNov 27, 2024
Nivoda Secures Additional Funding The London-based business-to-business diamond and gemstone marketplace just closed on a $51 million round of Series C funding.
SourcingNov 26, 2024
De Beers Stays With ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ for 2024 Holiday Campaign“Forever Present” highlights gifting opportunities for natural diamonds, celebrating familial, friendship, and romantic relationships.
AuctionsNov 26, 2024
Christie’s To Auction Collection of Suzanne Belperron JewelsIt’s one of the most impressive assemblages of the French designer’s pieces ever to come to auction, Christie’s said.
ColumnistsNov 26, 2024
The Smart Lab: 7 Strategies for Refining Your Holiday Email Marketing CampaignsSuccessful email marketing campaigns are all about timing, personalization, and compelling CTAs, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsNov 26, 2024
GIA’s Board of Governors Adds 2 New MembersRetail leader Lisa Bridge and geology professor Dr. Wendy Bohrson joined the organization’s board.
MajorsNov 26, 2024
Ben Bridge Jeweler Unveils This Year’s ‘Benny Bear’ Look out for a black bear wearing a purple Santa hat and its zippered tummy pouch made for holding a holiday gift from Ben Bridge Jeweler.
SourcingNov 25, 2024
William Goldberg Celebrates 2 Major Milestones With New Book“The William Goldberg Way” was released in honor of the company’s 75th anniversary and 25 years of its proprietary Ashoka diamond.
Lab-GrownNov 25, 2024
Lab-Grown Co. Lusix Sold to 2 Companies for $4M Fenix and Dholakia Lab-Grown Diamonds have jointly acquired the Israel-based company, which grows diamonds using solar power.
Events & AwardsNov 25, 2024
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Panel to Feature Fred SavageThe actor and watch enthusiast will be part of the show’s education lineup.
EditorsNov 22, 2024
Out & About: Inside the CD Peacock MansionStep inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.
CollectionsNov 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Xander Jane’s ‘Spiked’ Pearl StudsThese punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.
SourcingNov 22, 2024
Facets of Fire Expands to Include Pear, Marquise DiamondsThe company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry CatalogSponsored by Tasha R
AuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2MThree Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
