I went on an interview for a position as an Executive Assistant. I thought everything was going well because I was asked to come back to interview 5 times. Well the 5th time I met the owner of the company and interviewed with him. After we talked he told me that " Some times we are looking for oranges, sometimes banana's, but you are an egg-plant." " At this time we aren't looking for egg-plants". I felt insulted but I wasn't exactly sure what he meant by that. What is your opinion?
2007-11-26 02:08:26 · 14 answers · asked by Renee_617 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Administrative and Office Support
Thanks for all of the comments. I really hate to have to use the "race card" but I really felt that he was being very derogatory when he said it. Seeing as how I met with almost everyone in the company and they loved me, but he was the only one who had that ignorance about him. I am glad I didn't get it, because it could have ended up being hell to work for him. I'm not sure how to pursue reporting him because I have no proof that he said it. Besides that, there was one other black girl who worked in CS, he could just say I am lying because he has a black person at the company. It isn't easy for us job seekers. BTW, I got accepted to another position today!
2007-11-26 05:23:19 · update #1
Googie came close to the reason but didn't finish properly.
Italians use the word eggplant in place of 'black' as an inside term among themselves.
It goes to the color of the skin of the plant being close to the color of black skin.
It is intended to be derogatory.
The Italians who use this crude simile are the older ones who grew up in the 40's,50's & 60's.
Be happy you aren't working there.
2007-11-26 14:23:00 · answer #1 · answered by bv1999 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
how rude to waste your time and insult you on top of it (whatever he meant, it was NOTHING complimentary)
i thought the same thing bv1999 said. my italian teacher told us about the term 'eggplant' .
you deserve an apology and an explanation. i don't know how far you want to take this, but at the very least you can file a complaint. why don't you go ask this question again under the legal section of yahoo answers.
whatever you do, try not to blow it out of proportion (that'll only upset you more). you'll also be upset if you don't do ANYTHING about it. it's your decision, let it go for your own sanity, or pursue it so the b@stard doesn't do it again.
good luck getting a job where the owners aren't *******.
2007-11-26 20:36:27 · answer #2 · answered by elizabeth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank God you didn't get hired. If the owner of the company is that crude and/or stupid, I can promise you would not have wanted to work there. They probably will not stay in business long with someone like that at the helm of a slowly sinking ship.
At first I agree with jerzyson, "report him" but after thinking about it, DON'T. Move own with your job path and life and let these old bastards kill over.
By reporting him to anyone this gives these idiots a reason to keep us in separate groups.
Black, White, Male, Female.
You are a PERSON looking for a job so you can enjoy your life.
He is an DINOSAUR (a dying breed) whose time is limited and he will never enjoy his life.
Sounds like you have goals for yourself. Goals keep people moving and driven.
He judges his success by dollars. Which can be taken away quickly.
2007-11-26 02:26:42 · answer #3 · answered by askmeiambored 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Italian term for eggplant is sometimes used to indicate one who is a thick head or who isn't very bright. This doesn't appear to be the reason in your case.No one who is interviewing a person for a position within his company should be crude or inconsiderate. If you have an Equal Employment Opportunities Commission in your state, this person deserves being reported. It appears to be a clear case of discrimination.
2007-11-26 04:00:58 · answer #4 · answered by googie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on the job position.
In college, we trained for the stress interview. In such interviews, interviewers may act rude or inappropriate to see how you react to stress. I do not know that this was such an interview. But the term eggplant was totally inappropriate and there should be consequences that executive needs to pay.
2007-11-26 13:11:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's the most unprofessional comment I have ever heard and second...you never ever call someone on 5 interviews!!! By the second one you know if they have potential or not. That company is a joke.
2007-11-26 04:32:51 · answer #6 · answered by Jane Marple 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You reached at 5th stage of an interview at your distinct skills and professional abilities. If he had no vacant position then he can simply refuse you, but, he exposed himself as unethical, and non-professional in front of you, by saying those words.
You should have big heart.
2007-11-26 07:31:09 · answer #7 · answered by Nasik U 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It does sound like a racial comment to me. He does need to be reported. I would write or type out your recollection of all of the interviews, and report it to the state labor board.
2007-11-26 12:27:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Geez, that's an odd thing to say. But in the context, it sounds like he was saying you have good credentials but not for the job they are trying to fill.
The guy sounds weird - maybe you're better off not working for him anyway.
2007-11-26 03:08:30 · answer #9 · answered by Judy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that this employer only wants to hire people who are fruity whatever that means in the real world. When you go on interviews, prospective employers are not suppose to be talking like that at all. It was rude to talk to talk to you like that. Move on and good luck job hunting.
2007-11-26 03:08:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋