Yeah, I've seen situations where simply pushing back a bit sometimes works. Unfortunately, I let things go too long and then I'm not terribly controlled. Which is... bad. Well and I did it right once, setting out my response to unfair criticism in writing and backed up with facts.
Part of my problem is that I'll practically kill myself to excel - work at home and on weekends. But it's usually not appreciated and sets me up to be taken advantage of. Then I get resentful and angry just as the stress gets bigger. I'm hoping I can roll back from that in this job.
I'm sorry for your friend with the accent. The sentiment towards non-Americans is pretty high right now, so I can sympathize. A couple of my best working experiences have been in very culturally diverse environments. At one time, I worked with an Indian woman whose marriage had been arranged. It was really enlightening to be able to speak with her about something that we Americans find mystifying and odd. She and her husband had emigrated to the US and she was actually quite happy to dispel some of our ideas about arranged marriage. She loved her husband very much and felt that her family made a wise choice for her. She had no illusions that their daughters would stand for it, however. And that was okay with her too.
Just be a good friend to your co-worker and give her the opportunity to vent. Like you, I tend to get more outraged over someone else's poor treatment than my own.
...it's usually not appreciated and sets me up to be taken advantage of. Yes, I can understand your frustration. I always feel like a hamster on a wheel, all work and no pay off. I guess in the end what matters is you got the job done and eventually *someone* will notice.
I think diversity is one of those words that's maybe used too much that people tend to tune it out when it's talked about. But it really is important and I've always enjoyed environments in which it was encouraged and cultivated, not demonized or punished. The woman with an arranged marriage is a perfect example. In some ways Americans' egos get in the way of recognizing significant differences in the world. Moreover, they can't understand that it's okay, that someone can be happy in what they perceive as a totally bizarre situation. Don't get me wrong, I'm a born and raised American and proud of it, but seriously people, there is more than one way to live. I think some people just can't accept it and ruin things with the "you're in America, speak English" mentality.
I wish you the best of luck! And the very same to you. Don't work too hard! Or at least take a break (thank god for fanfiction and LJ, eh?).
Part of my problem is that I'll practically kill myself to excel - work at home and on weekends. But it's usually not appreciated and sets me up to be taken advantage of. Then I get resentful and angry just as the stress gets bigger. I'm hoping I can roll back from that in this job.
I'm sorry for your friend with the accent. The sentiment towards non-Americans is pretty high right now, so I can sympathize. A couple of my best working experiences have been in very culturally diverse environments. At one time, I worked with an Indian woman whose marriage had been arranged. It was really enlightening to be able to speak with her about something that we Americans find mystifying and odd. She and her husband had emigrated to the US and she was actually quite happy to dispel some of our ideas about arranged marriage. She loved her husband very much and felt that her family made a wise choice for her. She had no illusions that their daughters would stand for it, however. And that was okay with her too.
Just be a good friend to your co-worker and give her the opportunity to vent. Like you, I tend to get more outraged over someone else's poor treatment than my own.
I wish you the best of luck!
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I think diversity is one of those words that's maybe used too much that people tend to tune it out when it's talked about. But it really is important and I've always enjoyed environments in which it was encouraged and cultivated, not demonized or punished. The woman with an arranged marriage is a perfect example. In some ways Americans' egos get in the way of recognizing significant differences in the world. Moreover, they can't understand that it's okay, that someone can be happy in what they perceive as a totally bizarre situation. Don't get me wrong, I'm a born and raised American and proud of it, but seriously people, there is more than one way to live. I think some people just can't accept it and ruin things with the "you're in America, speak English" mentality.
I wish you the best of luck! And the very same to you. Don't work too hard! Or at least take a break (thank god for fanfiction and LJ, eh?).
Thanks again, I really do appreciate it. :)
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