Once in a while, we find companies put themselves in these unfortunate circumstances that arouse public anger against them, when all the bad press could have dissipated quickly if only the companies had been quick to react.
Today, Dolce & Gabbana is in hot water for allegedly stopping photographers from taking pictures of its storefront from the side-walk. First of all, as travelers, I am sure many of us have encountered situations where a store or business is not comfortable with you taking pictures of its interior. But being stopped for taking pictures of the store front? That’s really a first. If anything, we all know the side-walk is a public area, and everyone should be allowed to take pictures there.
Now, Hong Kong people are so infuriated about the situation because to add insult to injury, it was alleged that the security guards at D&G told the photographers that only mainland tourists who are visiting from China are allowed to take pictures! Really? Someone really has the gut to tell Hong Kong people that they have less rights than visitors in their own town? Doing so is not only discriminatory, but given the current environment, is completely culturally insensitive.
One can argue that this is an isolated incident, and that the action of the security guards in question does not represent the official D&G stand. This could very much be true, but if that’s the case, the most effective way to deal with the public’s discontent is for D&G to come out with a public statement stating such. Even an offer of some sort of promise to beef up its diversity training would ease public anger and all the bad press will go away quickly.
In time of crisis, keeping quiet is the worst of all strategies. Photographs are said to be worth a thousand words. Preventing photos from being taken in public places are worth just as many words. Don’t mess with photographers!
For the full story check out the articles from the South China Morning Post and the Telegraph.
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