Hi, I have the following dilemma. At each office job I have worked in, I'm nearly always surrounded..?

Question

by the most ghettoish coworkers. I'm pretty sure I'll end up in working similar environments since I'm no Phd, M.D., or DDS. I myself grew up in a surburban environment, where the kids enjoyed movies like the Breakfast Club, listened to rock and had this almost idyllic view on how good life is. At past jobs, I would keep to myself and not engage in much conversation with the lovers of Fifty Cent and Big Pun "music", if you can call it that.
But being obviously Hispanic, I know these people started looking at me like I was a "sellout" because I didn't share their urban tastes.
I think it's much easier to deal with this as a non-minority. If you 're Caucasian and ignore thuggish looking coworkers at the job, they don't bother you.

I'm hoping with age this won't be too much of an issue. But in the meantime, while I still appear youthful, I'd like your feedback on what mindframe I should go into at my next job.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Don't let yourself be influenced by what others say or think. Do what you feel is the right thing to do.

Answer 2

You sound like an incredible person. You are one of the few people from non-Caucasian minorities that isnt like "I am discriminated against, hear me talk about my painful past". I understand if you have had a painful past and discrimination as well, but there are quite a few people out there who tend to voice it a lot louder than others. Look at it this way, you are extremely professional and because of that, you stand a lot better chance of being promoted than the person in the next cubicle who is snapping her gum, filing her nails, talking on her cell phone to her best friend about her night with her boyfriend last night, telling everyone else to go to hell because she is mad at the world. I personally dont mind non-caucasians. I work for a Hilton hotel that is franchised and the owner is Indian. Plus I work with a lot of people who are not white. I am used to it. All of these people are extremely friendly and I love them all.

Answer 3

When you are saying you don't engage in conversation with them, do you mean only with regards to music? If you are avoiding conversation in general, then it will seem like you think you are better than them. If this is the case, know that not all people that like these kind of music have the same kind of beliefs their favorite music reflects. After all, we all used to have dreams, but a lot of people are not as lucky growing up as you were.
I do not enjoy that kind of music either, but sharing my musical preferences at work has never earned me wrong looks, because I always attempt to know a little beyond that about people.

Answer 4

Go to your next job thinking that though you won't match everyone 100%, you will be able to find something in common with them. Instead of talking about music and things that have obvious conflict, try finding something to talk about that's more neutral to you and them. Worst case is that you are still working with people who have interests you don't care about, but even if they make fun of you what you like it just a part of who you are. I would try going outside the box and finding a job in a different area. You sound smart and I think you have a good, clear mind...you'll figure out something soon enough.