Why is there so much "behind the back" talk and name-calling in my workplace? Not that i am complaining, but this is unsual to me. I am from India and this is the first social place i have worked at in the US. People seem to be friendly and nice but there is too much gossip between people about others. In some cases, its loud enough for others to hear. Could this be to put down a person because of competition or dislike of a person or just to get a person fired up or could it be just humor to get a person to talk with them ?
2007-01-18 07:04:08 · 9 answers · asked by mark v 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
The American workplace is extremely competitive, and people are very insecure in their jobs. Some people mistakenly believe that casting a shadow on someone else directs the light onto themselves. Other people gossip as a way to be included in a discussion. Still others are very dissatisfied with their positions, comparing themselves favorably to others in order to rationalize their belief that they are being treated unfairly. For whatever reason this happens, it is a mistake to engage in this behavior, because it limits your ability to gain respect. When positions of authority change, you may find your new boss to be one of the people you gossiped about, or you may be the boss of people you gossiped with.
2007-01-18 08:17:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your workplace may be what we call a "poisoned" work environment. We have gossip here where I work as well.
Ignore it, do your job, if you can't say something nice about someone, say nothing and collect your pay cheque and go home. Or look for another job.
These things, gossip, usually starts at the top and moves down.
Also, never drink alcohol at a work party.
Good Luck
2007-01-18 07:16:09 · answer #2 · answered by Gerry M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am from a South Aisa and now live in Canada. This is common in the US more than in here. This happens mostly becuse of the pressure... I am its not like in South Asia, these people have more problems to deal with. I find people here with familiy problems often work aginst other at the workplece. It is normal and we have to take it easy becuse well are human.... many in here have problems that they don't know how to deal with so they take the revange out of others.
2007-01-18 07:14:58 · answer #3 · answered by MSS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that can be considered the norm; I work in an office with 13 women and there isn't gossip going on here. It depends on the maturity level of the people you work with, and how busy they are.
2007-01-18 07:22:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is pretty normal. I don't know why, but people just like to talk. I do not participate in those kinds of conversations. I have a strong belief that if people talk badly about other people to me, they are talking badly about me to others. Just a theory I have but it's kept me from getting in the middle of bad situations.
2007-01-18 07:15:23 · answer #5 · answered by Jane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the US workplace. It is something that, at least as far as I know, everyone has to deal with. No matter how much you are "liked" at your job. Take what most people say though with a grain of salt and do not put too much stock in it. Believe in yourself and do your job and you won't have any problems.
2007-01-18 07:14:03 · answer #6 · answered by jman1542 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well even though I am an American I have always wondered that as well. It seems like any place I have worked there are busy bodies, rumor mills, backstabbers. Its awful. I wish I knew why adults act like this.
2007-01-18 23:31:49 · answer #7 · answered by tnbadbunny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's just how it is here. Or at least in every single job I've worked and school I've attended. Sorry!
2007-01-18 07:11:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignore them. It is likely that they are incompetent.
2007-01-20 11:45:00 · answer #9 · answered by secret society 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋