I’m of Pakistani origin. I have a British accent since that is where I grew up. My best friend in my team is Indian. We, along with an Asian guy, are also the only non white guys in our team of about 16. He is a relatively recent immigrant and has a moderately strong Indian accent. Without question, he is the smartest person in our team. He has delivered the most impact not just in terms of quantitative metrics but also in a way where his work is definitely very recognized. My manager has repeatedly praised him as one of the most excellent workers he’s seen. Work wise and career wise, he is well respected, and I’m proud of him. Yet when it comes to any sort of social situation, team gathering, or really anything else, the amount of times he’s just been mocked for his race or accent (when he’s not present) is uncountable. Just last week, one of my coworkers hosting an event asked me to not invite him (I’m close to him) since he’ll just “weird” everyone out the way he talks. Every time I hang out with two of my co workers, and they’re a bit drunk and the topic of him comes up, those same two just start mocking his accent non chalantly. There was one moment where one of the guys said “Imagine being that successful but then going home to a wife who probably cringes during sex while hearing his voice.” I realize they were drunk, but to me, it reveals true intentions. Do you think that something in regards to HR should be done? Should I approach them face to face maybe about this topic?
As much as I like making fun of pajeets online, this sort of thing is never tolerable A: you never make fun of someone for something they can’t help B: you never talk about what goes on between a man and his wife But... C: You need to tell these people something to their face instead of being a chickenshit and going to HR. You can go big or small, however you choose, but I personally would look them straight in the eye and say “What goes on between him and his wife is none of your fucking business” Aka: be a man and settle this yourself. Do the needful 🤘
“Pajeet” “Do the needful” You’re part of the problem. As for the rest, yeah. I am going to tell them it’s not okay to their face. I just wanted to phrase it in a way where I don’t create an “us vs them” situation but fuck it.
I say that online to troll. But I have never, EVER thought of someone who looks different from me or sounds different from me as less than me. I am an immigrant and this country was built on the back if immigrants.
What is it with Pakistanis on Blind being huge social justice buffs? Grow up. Accents are near-universally *bad* and looked down upon (for many valid and important reasons). Get over it. But also making fun of people behind their back is probably not good either. Personally whenever I can’t understand someone at work I just straight up tell them I can’t understand them. I don’t explain why (unless they ask), or grant sympathy. The basic expectation of the workplace is the ability to communicate clearly. However, if the populace is inclined to make fun of you, you probably deserve it one way or another. Typically people mock features or habits of people that are possible to change. For example, anyone smart enough to be at Facebook is smart enough to fix their accent. Your coworker simply sounds unsocialized and poorly acclimated to western culture. To me, he should be mocked, because he’s perfectly capable of changing and should do so. Of course, behind the back mocking doesn’t do anyone any good. Your friends have no spine for not pointing out to this man he has bad habits that cause him to lead a sub-optimal social life.
By far the dumbest comment I have ever read on this platform. You expect people to fix their accent. Wtf.
Report to HR if this looks like a harrassment
Everyone should be respectful of others. Tell your peers to knock it off, if it doesn't stop tell hr. It doesn't matter if it's the weakest or strongest Dev.
JFC, can people not be PC even when they are drunk? if they don't vent out then, then they can't put a facade to your friend at work. don't try to shove your preachings down other's throats.
It's a soft move by those who make fun of the accent, but it's not the worst form of discrimination out there. Stand up for your friend and stop being complicit and complaining about it to others.
Email Mark Zuckerberg about it and complain that you need more diversity in your team.
Overreaction, HR won’t care unless the person with the strong accent complains himself about being disrespected
Well almost all of the time it’s behind his back so he doesn’t know. I haven’t told him about it yet, but was thinking of doing so. But then again, I don’t want to discourage him.
Stand up for your friend and don’t allow them to keep making fun of him.