Workplace Political Conversations

[thrill]

Generally, the place where I work keeps a decent balance between open political dialog and not getting to the point where people eventually hate each other based on their politics. I have one coworker who I disagree with on everything and generally think is a dumb turd, but it never goes to an ugly enough place that I might do or say something that would be unprofessional.

However, something just happened. We hired a new guy in a business development/marketing capacity in the federal contracts field. Specifically military. He works out of Tallahassee.

Our CEO was walking him around the office introducing him to people when he had to go drop a deuce. I assume that's what he was doing because he said he was going to the restroom and was gone for ten minutes. Anyway, less than a minute after our CEO left, this dude looks around the IT dept and notices they're all dudes. He walks over to our helpdesk manager and goes, "I notice your dept is all men. Is that intentional?" Helpdesk manager says, "No, it just kind of worked out that way. We interview and hire people based on their qualifications." New guy nods thoughtfully and goes, "You got a minute for a story?" He then proceeds to enlighten everyone within earshot about an air force study having to do with multitasking, stress management, reaction time and other [expletive] like that. He said men scored much higher and we should be thankful it worked out that they were an all-male team. I was not part of this conversation but I had turned towards them at that point and must have had a look on my face, because he immediately goes, "Not that there aren't things women are better at than men. Child bearing and nurturing and stuff like that. They're just inferior in technical fields." I just raised an eyebrow, made eye contact and turned around. He then went on to babble like a [expletive] bumpkin about being from the only county in florida with no traffic lights and how Ted Turner owns a ranch near his house and how Jane Fonda had big [expletive].

With no inkling of anyone's thoughts on gender politics, this guy just leaps into a full-on screed against women in the work place like it's nineteen [expletive] fity regardless of any potential consequences or who might be listening. What kind of moron does that? Should I have gotten in the mix? Trolled him about confederate flags? Gay Marriage? Atticus Finch being in the Klan now? Did I do the right thing just staying out of it? How is this person alive in 2015?

[TimeForGuinness]

Generally, the place where I work keeps a decent balance between open political dialog and not getting to the point where people eventually hate each other based on their politics. I have one coworker who I disagree with on everything and generally think is a dumb turd, but it never goes to an ugly enough place that I might do or say something that would be unprofessional.

However, something just happened. We hired a new guy in a business development/marketing capacity in the federal contracts field. Specifically military. He works out of Tallahassee.

Our CEO was walking him around the office introducing him to people when he had to go drop a deuce. I assume that's what he was doing because he said he was going to the restroom and was gone for ten minutes. Anyway, less than a minute after our CEO left, this dude looks around the IT dept and notices they're all dudes. He walks over to our helpdesk manager and goes, "I notice your dept is all men. Is that intentional?" Helpdesk manager says, "No, it just kind of worked out that way. We interview and hire people based on their qualifications." New guy nods thoughtfully and goes, "You got a minute for a story?" He then proceeds to enlighted everyone within earshot about an air force study having to do with multitasking, stress management, reaction time and other [expletive] like that. He said men scored much higher and we should be thankful it worked out that they were an all-male team. I was not part of this conversation but I had turned towards them at that point and must have had a look on my face, because he immediately goes, "Not that there aren't things women are better at than men. Child bearing and nurturing and stuff like that. They're just inferior in technical fields." I just raised an eyebrow, made eye contact and turned around. He then went on to babble like a [expletive] bumpkin about being from the only county in florida with no traffic lights and how Ted Turner owns a ranch near his house and how Jane Fonda had big [expletive].

With no inkling of anyone's thoughts on gender politics, this guy just leaps into a full-on screed against women in the work place like it's [expletive] regardless of any potential consequences or who might be listening. What kind of moron does that? Should I have gotten in the mix? Trolled him about confederate flags? Gay Marriage? Atticus Finch being in the Klan now? Did I do the right thing just staying out of it? How is this person alive in 2015?

Happens to me a lot, I know a doozie is coming when they look around before they talk.

I just shrug and say, "whaddya gonna do..." with a stupid smile on my face. I'm there to do my job, and I have to maintain a working relationship with some interesting people...but if I had no working relationship with them, I would have said something.

[Schlich]

just yesterday I got to listen to a wonderful spiel about how most homeless people are happy with their situation. luckily this wasn't directed towards me. I usually just make some weird grunting noise when it is and they stop talking.

good rant.

[heyzeus]

Your CEO probably needs to know that at some point in time, this guy is going to get your company sued. But it's not your job to worry about that and it's not your job to educate this bumpkin. Just walk away when he starts his spiel.

[wart57]

Idiots are everywhere.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

With no inkling of anyone's thoughts on gender politics, this guy just leaps into a full-on screed against women in the work place like it's nineteen [expletive] fity regardless of any potential consequences or who might be listening. What kind of moron does that? Should I have gotten in the mix?

You should have gotten him a cup of coffee.

[slide_into_first]

He will self destruct without you intervening.

[Jocephus]

He will self destruct without you intervening.

hah

definitely seems like a weird way to introduce yourself.

if it really gnaws at you, i would mention it to the boss. id definitely be tempted to

[planet planet]

Does it go without saying that this irritates me beyond belief? On a side rant, since we're generalizing and all, why do military (ex-military) people always get a pass when spewing such garbage?

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Does it go without saying that this irritates me beyond belief? On a side rant, since we're generalizing and all, why do military (ex-military) people always get a pass when spewing such garbage?

Right. Huntsville is stocked with these guys. Lots of retired military too.