When working with different nationalities

Ray Palmer · 12-08-2011 11:33AM #1

I work with quite a few different nationalities and am quite liberal on my view. Not a PC nut and quite accepting of offensive jokes. However when working with some people their views on religion and sexuality are quite extreme. The suggestion that it is OK to be gay really grates with one or two. In particular one stated it was simply wrong because the bible says so. I laughed out loud because I thought he was joking.

He now has taken offense to my views on the bible and generally that religion it should not dictate anything in this country. It has gotten a little tense as a result but other people in work have basically agreed with his views on gay people. There is certainly a link to their nationalities and their views. One guy actually said he would leave if the company hired somebody who was gay.

Some said in the pub and others over lunch in the office. I really am coming down with the view that if you come to this country you should accept our ways which sounds like a bigoted view. It doesn't really affect me but one guys knows my brother is gay but luckily he is not of the group that think it is wrong. I can't make mention to my brother's sexuality which you think generally wouldn't come up but it actually does more than you think when you talk of your family.

Nodin · 12-08-2011 11:39AM

Yes, there was no homophobia here before foriegners.

chin_grin · 12-08-2011 11:42AM

FFS people, stop bringing up where you're from just because a person acts like a cnut. It's up to the individual!

CardBordWindow · 12-08-2011 11:43AM

In my opinion, religion is like a penis. It's alright to have one and be proud of it, but don't force it on people!!

chin_grin · 12-08-2011 11:45AM

CardBordWindow wrote: »

In my opinion, religion is like a penis. It's alright to have one and be proud of it, but don't force it on people!!

Or ram it down kids throats. :pac:

FatherLen · 12-08-2011 11:45AM

how does the old saying go?
the bible is like a software terms and conditions.
most dont read it, just scroll to the bottom and click agree.

Kold · 12-08-2011 11:52AM

[x] National stereotypes
[x] Homophobia
[x] Religion

There be a sh!tstorm a'brewin...

Dardania · 12-08-2011 11:56AM

Certain countries are less liberal than ours. In particular, ex communist countries can be quite right wing, as it is the natural order to form after release from communism to have a swing to the right...

Also, when they no longer have communism doing the thinking for them, they easily switch to lettin ghte church fill that void...

you're right on the when in rome point, however be aware that it works both ways - don't expect your views to be well received elsewhere if it's not the norm.

Richard Hillman · 12-08-2011 11:57AM

Nodin wrote: »

Yes, there was no homophobia here before foriegners.

It was when the Greeks came here first, thats when it all went downhill.

wonton · 12-08-2011 12:04PM

I wonder how they'll feel about having a gay president

jester77 · 12-08-2011 12:07PM

wonton wrote: »

I wonder how they'll feel about having a gay president

Gay by name or gay by nature?

DingChavez · 12-08-2011 12:21PM

I like how people use the bible to justify things they're against while they completely ignore all the other orders that seem crazy nowadays.

stovelid · 12-08-2011 12:39PM

I would never discuss stuff like religion and politics in work.

7sr2z3fely84g5 · 12-08-2011 12:53PM

they used to always ask,why do the irish drink so much.

Ray Palmer · 12-08-2011 12:54PM

Nodin wrote: »

Yes, there was no homophobia here before foriegners.

The things is people have enough sense not to say it if they are from a more liberal country and working in an office. This is not the first time I have experienced this from particular nationalities. Some of these people come from places where it is not accepted. Plenty of Irish homophobes but they aren't going to yell out how they see as disgusting and should end up with the person in prison

I didn't bring up religion it was the view of a guy in the office. All very well saying never discuss politics are religion in work but in a social conversation it crops up.

To suggest that everything is individual completely misses the point of the problem where if it has been acceptable in somebody's home country how you politely tell them that such views are not acceptable here. I am not blaming. Obviously don't want HR involved and make a big deal but there is a lot of aggression coming out about it. Effectively disgust from people on both sides about the others views

stovelid · 12-08-2011 12:57PM

Madalynn Gigantic Racism wrote: »

they used to always ask,why do the irish drink so much.

Stock answer:

To help us cope with the daily chore of working with dour, judgmental cunts like yourself.

The King of Moo · 12-08-2011 01:03PM

I'd put that down to religion much more than nationality.
In some African countries, for example, a quite evangelical form of Christianity, putting a lot of emphasis on things like homosexuality being a sin and other fundamentalist beliefs, has taken hold.
You can probably put that down to the zeal of the European missionaries who preached there, and the fact that poverty maybe made people more attracted to religion as a (false) way out.

But I think we'd be lying to ourselves if we thought that couldn't happen here. The Church had such control here that if they had made a big deal out of homosexuality being a sin here then you'd see a lot of people openly condemning gay people as sinners.

And you say people coming here should align themselves with our point of view, but I'm sure there's lots of Irish people out there who aren't too fond of gay people.

StephenHendry · 12-08-2011 01:05PM

never a good idea OP to start a conversation with either politics or religion

RichieC · 12-08-2011 01:11PM

What's their views on mixing linen with wool?

Nodin · 12-08-2011 01:14PM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

The things is people have enough sense not to say it if they are from a more liberal country and working in an office. This is not the first time I have experienced this from particular nationalities. Some of these people come from places where it is not accepted. Plenty of Irish homophobes but they aren't going to yell out how they see as disgusting and should end up with the person in prison

......in your experience. In mine it would have been rather different. While the country has certainly become much more progessive in the last few decades, I'd say your view is rather rosy.

wild_cat · 12-08-2011 01:15PM

stovelid wrote: »

I would never discuss stuff like religion and politics in work.

I had to once about two years ago.

It was to ask someone to stop calling people black people "n*ggers".

The south African then called him a thick ****.

Ray Palmer · 12-08-2011 01:25PM

StephenHendry wrote: »

never a good idea OP to start a conversation with either politics or religion

I didn't.

Ray Palmer · 12-08-2011 01:28PM

Nodin wrote: »

......in your experience. In mine it would have been rather different. While the country has certainly become much more progessive in the last few decades, I'd say your view is rather rosy.

I am fully aware of how Irish people behaved, in an IT office nobody who was raised in a western country would say something like that in front of a lot of people. Having a gay brother and gay friends I am sure I have a fair idea about what people have said.

On a factory floor it is massively different also on the streets. In an IT office it is shocking.

Nodin · 12-08-2011 01:35PM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

I am fully aware of how Irish people behaved, in an IT office nobody who was raised in a western country would say something like that in front of a lot of people.
.

I'd have to say that outside of a unionised enviroment, it depends on the culture of the "chief". Most of what I've had the misfortune to witness (over 20 years in an office enviroment) would be sexism and racism, but there was certainly the odd homophobic outburst, and nothing thought of it.

Lollipops23 · 12-08-2011 01:42PM

OP to be honest, unless your workmates are actually going out their way to belittle or discriminate you or a co-worker because of your differing views, leave it be.
Some people will have different opinions to yours, right or wrong, and you just have to make your peace with it. I've worked with religious types in the past and had enough cop on not to go down the road of discussing sexuality/abortion etc as I had a feeling which way the wind was blowing.
Try to stick to mundane topics in future maybe when out with work mates?

Ray Palmer · 12-08-2011 01:48PM

Nodin wrote: »

I'd have to say that outside of a unionised enviroment, it depends on the culture of the "chief". Most of what I've had the misfortune to witness (over 20 years in an office enviroment) would be sexism and racism, but there was certainly the odd homophobic outburst, and nothing thought of it.

19 years in offices and a lot of them over time as a contractor very rare to hear anything blatant especially without a reprimand or apology. The biggest I would say I saw was ageism. This is different because it is so blatant and certain people have basically grouped together and it is causing problems. First time I ever saw this with a righteousness rather than a personal view. It is wrong because of the bible is one hell of a repeated statement.

LJD10 · 12-08-2011 01:49PM

It has gotten a little tense as a result but other people in work have basically agreed with his views on gay people. There is certainly a link to their nationalities and their views. One guy actually said he would leave if the company hired somebody who was gay

.

Sounds like a great team of people to be working with :eek:

On a factory floor it is massively different also on the streets. In an IT office it is shocking.

In any office this is shocking behaviour.

later12 · 12-08-2011 01:55PM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

To suggest that everything is individual completely misses the point of the problem where if it has been acceptable in somebody's home country how you politely tell them that such views are not acceptable here.

Say what now?

(1) Don't you think there are some Irish-born individuals who would share their view?
(2) Just because you were born here, you don't get to say what's 'unacceptable' here. This is a more serious point, in my opinion. We live in a free democracy - there is no such thing as ''an unacceptable view'' beyond common, Daily Mail rhetoric. There are many different points of view held on this little island, you don't get to say which ones are or are not OK to hold.

Lollipops23 · 12-08-2011 01:59PM

later10 wrote: »

There are many different points of view held on this little island, you don't get to say which ones are or are not OK to hold.

A fine point. We have plenty of biggots all of our very own, so you can't say you speak for Ireland.

RichieC · 12-08-2011 02:02PM

later10 wrote: »

(2) Just because you were born here, you don't get to say what's 'unacceptable' here. This is a more serious point, in my opinion. We live in a free democracy - there is no such thing as ''an unacceptable view'' beyond common, Daily Mail rhetoric. There are many different points of view held on this little island, you don't get to say which ones are or are not OK to hold.

With the sheer amount of heads that will disagree with you about this one must wonder just how long it will be a free democracy for.

the PTB can and if history proves anything will take advantage of sharp turns to the far right.

CucaFace · 12-08-2011 02:04PM

Ray Palmer one thing that I don't get is why haven't you told more in your office that your brother is gay? My brother is Gay and I couldn't care less who knows because if they can't accept that then that says everything about them really in this day and age.

I say **** them and let it be known and sit back and enjoy all the drama from the Neanderthals that seem to be working in your office.

When working with different nationalities

Comments