I made a comment around the dinner table yesterday to some of my work colleagues and their spouses that created an awkward silence. I'm not American, and so after speaking to one of my friends, what i said was obviously misinterpreted.
After someone made a comment saying that the US would reinstitute the draft, i remarked jokingly "that would solve the mexican problem"
What i meant was that immigration would stop to a country with a draft, and i realized that the way it was recieved was that all the mexicans are going to die.
When i go into work on monday, should i explain my mistake to my colleagues, or should i forget about it? It obviously wasnt malicious, nor am I racist, i just dont want it to be awkward.
Thanks.
2006-07-23 10:33:02 · 9 answers · asked by shachar86 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
No wonder you are upset. I can see what you meant and why your colleagues were upset. I don't think you are going to be able to avoid the awkwardness of the situation. I suggest you get it over first thing in the morning. Ask them all if you can speak to them at the same time. Be honest with them. Tell them what you meant and that it wasn't the way they thought you meant it. Apologize to them and ask their forgiveness. If they are good people, they will forgive and forget. God bless!
2006-07-23 10:39:01 · answer #1 · answered by celticwoman777 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I want to emphasize that I am in TOTAL agreement with sheerxtc0911. You should definitely NOT bring this matter up again! As you know, the immigration issue is an extremely sensitive matter and there was probably an awkward silence because nobody wanted to perpetuate the subject matter...for WHATEVER reason. If your friend told you everyone thought you were a racist for saying it, you can take comfort in the fact that many AMERICANS would have actually made the SAME EXACT COMMENT and actually MEANT that they wanted Mexicans to die! So I would not further beat myself up on this issue. The weekend should have calmed everyone down. And your opinion is your opinion whatever they want to think. I'm sure your friend can go around "explaining" what you meant if there is any explaning that needs to be done. Understandably you now feel embarassed(?) but I would not call any more attention to this. And by the way, the opinion that the DRAFT should be re-instated is ALSO considered politically incorrect in some circles. In San Francisco, THAT comment would have been followed by an awkward silence too. Don't worry about it any more.
2006-07-23 17:58:40 · answer #2 · answered by ami 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to learn to act like an American and say what you mean no matter what others think. That is what makes our country great is the freedom of speech which means just that. You have the right to say what you want , where you want, as long as it does not infringe on others rights or insight a riot or any other criminal activity.So go on to work and if you feel the need to explain do so if you do not , do not.If it was me , I would flat out tell people what I meant and to hell with them if they do not like it.Alas that it is me and I do not expect to many in this world to be like me. Albeit if more were like me and said what was on their minds we would have a much better country. Never let anyone else tell you how to think or what to say. You are in America the greatest nation ever.
2006-07-23 20:10:47 · answer #3 · answered by windyy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you let it ride you may seem even more insensitive. Yet, don't make it a bigger deal than they may have taken it. Approach the person who was there that you are the closest to and say, listen I apologize if what I said came out racist. It wasn't what I meant at all, I wasn't being sarcastic and I just wanted to let you know that --and hey, let me know if something else comes out wrong that I am unaware of culturally. If they have any class at all, this will end up making you be even more highly thought of than you were before the slip---and just know--we all say dumb things no matter where you are a citizen!
2006-07-23 17:48:04 · answer #4 · answered by Missie D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Americans have a real complex about race issues, they confuse openly discussing race/ country / immigration issues with racism.
You have to confront them and let them know you weren't racist. Do this as sensitively as your colleagues are or aren't. (Ask a colleague - preferably an ex-pat - if you don't know)
2006-07-23 17:54:21 · answer #5 · answered by AzaC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would let sleeping dogs lie. If it was brought up again I would explain myself, but if it wasn't I would just let it alone because if you tried to explain it now it would like you were a racist.
2006-07-23 17:40:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is freaking hilarious. Good one! Don't explain anything. You were not being malicious. If they ask go ahead and explain. Don't hang around high strung people they suck
2006-07-24 14:58:29 · answer #7 · answered by tryingtolearnsomething 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
watch mind of mencia
2006-07-23 21:11:53 · answer #8 · answered by indian340 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
U have no need to apologize.
2006-07-23 17:38:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋