Why I hate work (an essay)

I'm sitting here listening to two co-workers communicate in a mock-asian accent about something. Soon it turns into something sexual alluding to prostitution like "two dolla, no holla". All of this is a sad attempt at humor.

I'm not trying to cast the first stone here. I've mocked asian culture and language before. I'm not innocent, but I've never done it at work. By sheer coincidence I have a large number of friends that are half-asian american. So I have a certain fondness of asian culture, food and language. When I do joke about asian culture I do it in an atmosphere where everyone knows that I'm joking. They know I'm joking because they joke the same way, and it's not because they are being hurtful because they are accepting of different ethnicities the same way I am.

Right now, I don't know if they are making fun of asians to be cruel or to just provide a social commentary through their clever theatrics. I am not friends with these people so I don't know their morals, values, traditions or political and social views. I can easily believe that they are being hurtful and insensitive. And on occassion I do. I don't think that "political correctness" is some prude trying to bring a party down, but instead it's a matter of common courtesy. One should never talk in such a way because they don't know how others feel. If they do and their "audience" feels the same, they are very lucky. If someone does not feel the same ways, and does not understand the performer's humor, then he/she will be seriously offended. So it's only polite to refrain from certain comments if they may impact someone negatively.

This is an especially important concept at work. In the workplace, there are many people who are doing the same or similar jobs, who may not have chosen to be friends, or even in the same environment 8 hours a day. As opposed to one's home, it is important that in a workplace one maintains the strictest level of politeness, just because it is too difficult to judge whether the co-workers feel the same way. If someone is offended by certain speech or actions, then it will make them feel uncomfortable, cause tension and thus lower production or cause more adverse effects. This benefits no one and in reality is easily avoidable.

The problem is not someone casually mimicking an asian person. It easily expands into racism, religious intolerance, ethnic hatred, sexism and more. And it has expanded into many other areas. I can walk through the office and hear many other hateful words and phrases at any given time. Some pertain to me, some do not, but all are offensive to me that someone would feel that superior to someone else that he/she can treat people so rudely. This is why I hate work. I can't stand the intolerance and the prejudice and the all around mean atmosphere in the office.

It's sad because in the end we all are part of a group that makes us unique. If everyone just accepted everyone else's qualities then we could move on to more important things, and leave the petty intolerance behind.