Conflicts in workplaces (offices) nowdays

[Conversationist]

I came from North Dakota where I lived most of my life in a small town (Jamestown, ND) that was 97% white. Most of the minorities were American Indians and a few hispanics that worked mostly in very low wage working class jobs- so I had little contact with them.

While there was little economic opportunity in Jamestown, ND, there was also less workplace conflict. Most people I worked with were middle class, 4th or 5th generation Americans and life time residents of the area. We shared similar ethics, culture and philosphy. The offices I worked at were very friendly and unpolitical.

Move ahead to the year 2003 and I have moved with my husband to Washington DC area. This area is like the United Nations. Over 120 languages are spoken in the county school district. 50% of the people are foreign born, or a minority. After a few false starts in the job market, I now work as a long term temp for one of the Washington areas largest employers. The job is OK but the mood in the office is far different than I remember in North Dakota. People break up into small groups, by race and status. There are the blacks from poor side of town- they have their own culture and language, then there are the African Americans who have a more "white way of talking". If you talked to them on the phone you would not know they were black. Then we have the hispanics, who rarely speak English in the office and hang out with each other, but no one else. Then, we have a big group of Indians who again are a clique. Then in the IT area, most of the people are from China and they mostly just talk to each other-noone else. Rarely does anyone from different races have much to do with each other in this office, unless they are forced to. When they have to cross the racial barrier, the conversation is forced and difficult.

I belive the breakdown of socialization by race limits communication and causes conflict, so not as much gets done. It was so much easier in North Dakota when people were more alike!

 

[chadfromdallas]

Originally posted by Conversationist
It was so much easier in North Dakota when people were more alike!

Welcome to the real world.

 

[gr8tpanther]

I have never had to work amongst several races, but have worked among the hispanics, and HERE, they try to mingle and get along and fit in with the white. I actually learned to speak a little English from them.

I realize that our country is vast and ever growing and that we have alot who don't understand the other and are not willing to learn. But I personally think, that IF we plan to ever become a peaceful unity, we have to start getting along with each other and finding a way to become ONE race, not 50.

I look forward to the day where that can happen.

 

[Christine]

Conversationist,
I also work in DC and have noticed many of same things you have. My company does not sound nearly as large as yours (you sound like you have many more sub-groups) but I have the same result. I try to be friendly to everyone in the office, but I do find that as a white person, I am often shut out of the other groups. I say hello in the kitchen and I'm lucky if I get more than a grunt out of some people and I do find it to be racial.

 

[Disney Doll]

One of the pros or cons of the USA(depending on your perspective I guess) is the multitude of ethnic groups we have.

With those multitudes come some of the problems you state, but also some opportunity, if both sides are willing to compromise a little and try and learn form each other.

The problem arises when that does not happen, and specific ethinic groups stay "witiihin themselves". We in the USA are pretty used to being "PC" about different ethnicities, and at times I think it has harmed us rather than helped, as some of these ethnic groups tend to remain tightly knit and close to outsiders, even though they are quite happy to be receiving the benefits of living in the USA.

 

[kasar]

You're so lucky to work in such a interesting place. How fun it must be to learn about all these different cultures!