Just a little vent/downer.
Got a call today from a colleague. One of the individuals that I gave feedback to (he is their client lead) stated that I made a comment about his ethnicity that he did not like. I told him that he valued his family and placed them before other demands in his life and he asked how I knew that. He told my coworker that I said it was because of his Latin American heritage. Uhh.....Really? I know better than to generalize, so I explained that I probably said that his values are alligned with traditional cultural values from people who are from Central America.
I was taught to acknowledge ethnicity rather than to ignore it. This shows that you undestand the individual and their differences rather than just repeating what they said. He thinks I am racist. My coworker understood that I probably did not generalize, but it still hurts. Why didn't the client say something during feedback? Perhaps it was a language thing. (He has a hard time with English.)
Oh well. I'll try not to let it get to me (but it will probably be in the back of my mind for about 5 weeks........)
3 comments:
One piece of advice in every field of careers, and in personal lives too, never take things personally. This guy is probably looking for an excuse to lash out because of some of his own insecurities. Don't worry about it. It still sucks though, because you never want someone to say bad things (true or not). I totally get it.
Cheer up, you're doing a great job!
Just consider it a life lesson. It is probably not wise to make any sort of ethnic comparison - no matter how well intentioned. That way, no one can misconstrue what you mean. I KNOW that one day we won't have all these little nuances in our lives that keeps us apart - but probably not in any of our lifetimes - maybe Brenna's? Sigh....
He obviously didn't take the time to get to know you. It's that simple. Not every one pays attention to others like some of us do!!!
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