MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
OtherFeb 24, 2016
Exercising Tolerance and Respect on Social Media
Peter Smith says retailers need to be respectful when engaging in sensitive discussions on social media, or they run the risk of losing customers, vendors or employees with opposing viewpoints.
The tragic events that unfolded in San Bernardino on Dec. 2 were a horrible reminder that we live in a very difficult and complex world. We must not only contend with wars in the Middle East that are wholly different from anything previous generations would have experienced, but also the ever-present specter of tragedy in our own midst from people that, quite frankly, might have been shopping next to us in the grocery store the day before, or might have been our own neighbors.
Much as we like to simplify and categorize, the face of evil has no particular look or ethnicity or belief system. Those despicable people who think nothing of taking innocent lives in movie theaters, schools, churches and places of business have no single face. They look like James Holmes in Aurora, Seung-Hui-Cho at Virginia Tech, Dylan Roof in Charleston, Adam Lanza in Sandy Hook, Aaron Alexis in D.C., Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold at Columbine, and Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik in San Bernardino.
While the debate will rage on about how to stop these lunatics, what there can surely be no debating is the level of incivility and, all too frequently, vitriol that is unleashed by people about guns and gun violence after each one of these terrible events.
This column on National Jeweler is clearly not the place to offer opinions or perspectives on that topic, but it is worth reminding everyone that we ought to be able to engage in reasoned and respectful discussion on this and other sensitive topics without descending into attacks via social media against anyone who dares to weigh in with a viewpoint that differs from ours.
Here’s a newsflash: Your customers don’t agree with you on all sensitive matters. It is probably fair to speculate that about half of your customers will hold opposing views to you on many matters of sensitivity, be it politics, guns, religion, abortion or equality in marriage.
I’ll refrain from suggesting that we ought to celebrate our differences on these and other equally sensitive topics. Forget that--I’m not interested in celebrating a viewpoint with which I fundamentally disagree.
What we should do, however, is afford each other the common courtesy and the respect not to resort to petty name-calling or labeling because you disagree with someone’s position on an issue. We should not ascend the stairs
of the bully pulpit to attack people who have different opinions than us, and if we cannot engage in reasonable conversation about our differences, we should disengage on that particular topic.
Social media can be an interesting platform to discuss all manner of things if it is done in a respectful manner. I mean, do we really want to see our preferred platforms become all about what somebody had for dinner or what airport they are in right now? I very much enjoy reading articles that are posted from my contacts and it’s OK if I don’t always agree with them. I expect no less from my contacts; they are free to read or not read my postings and welcome to comment or not comment on them.
What we should not be OK with is tolerance of incivility or cyber-bullying from people who are so hell-bent on their own position that they don’t mind who they offend. Civil discourse is really not such a bad thing … it usually works out pretty well and generally doesn’t strip anyone’s dignity or sense of whom or what they believe.
Unless you are currently posting signs on your door uninviting customers, employees and vendors who do not share your views on all matters, it’s just not smart business to be disrespectful on social media.
Peter Smith, author of Hiring Squirrels: 12 Essential Interview Questions to Uncover Great Retail Sales Talent, has spent more than 30 years building sales teams at retail and at wholesale. He is president of Vibhor Gems and he has previously worked with companies such as Tiffany & Co., Montblanc and Hearts On Fire. Email him at peter@vibhorgems.com, dublinsmith@yahoo.com or reach him on LinkedIn.
More on Other
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
