Corporate Culture Clash?

[RACooper]

What I was actually looking for was accendotal accounts from people who have noticed this or who haven't...

While some corporate cultures have managed to remain aloof from politics outside of the office, others it appears have not. Over the years it has become more noticable that some people have let global events influence office politics. In a post earlier in this thread (unfortunately deleted?) I was discussing the changing attitudes in the workplace in regards to dealing with in this case non-Americans - that are classified by others and themselves, Canadians or Europeans.

If you look at my sig. you'll notice a quote of mine that sums up to a degree what has happened. Some people because of 9/11, Afghanistan, and Iraq have rediscovered their patriotism... and some unfortunately have instead become nationalistic. An effective workplace must be considerate of others, and I have always held to the belief that politics and religion aren't exactly subjects that should be debated in the office, they are personal or private matters in my opinion. Unfortunately some have decided that politics and religion should be part of daily life in the office, and have taken to expressing or challenging others on politics or religion... and people are leaving (myself included) as a result.

PS> Rudey you'll also note that my first post in the thread did in the begining make a mention of personal experience I believe...

[Rudey]

Your personal experience is limited and I have never seen anything that resembles it. Also you haven't shown any sort of evidence or case study. Just like if I said I think all workers in Corporate Canada are monkeys. What the heck do I know how Canadian attititudes are in terms of the work place. What I do know for sure is that American colleagues don't sit there talking about colleagues in other countries. Somehow you have a "personal anecdote" about colleagues in the Chicago office making remarks about you because you're Canadian.

-Rudey

Originally posted by RACooper
What I was actually looking for was accendotal accounts from people who have noticed this or who haven't...

While some corporate cultures have managed to remain aloof from politics outside of the office, others it appears have not. Over the years it has become more noticable that some people have let global events influence office politics. In a post earlier in this thread (unfortunately deleted?) I was discussing the changing attitudes in the workplace in regards to dealing with in this cass non-Americans - that are classified by others and themselves, Canadians or Europeans.

If you look at my sig. you'll notice a quote of mine that sums up to a degree what has happened. Some people because of 9/11, Afghanistan, and Iraq have rediscovered their patriotism... and some unfortunately have instead become nationalistic. An effective workplace must be considerate of others, and I have always held to the belief that politics and religion aren't exactly subjects that should be debated in the office, they are personal or private matters in my opinion. Unfortunately some have decided that politics and religion should be part of daily life in the office, and have taken to expressing or challenging others on politics or religion... and people are leaving (myself included) as a result.

PS> Rudey you'll also note that my first post in the thread did in the begining make a mention of personal experience I believe...

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Rudey
Your personal experience is limited and I have never seen anything that resembles it. Also you haven't shown any sort of evidence or case study. Just like if I said I think all workers in Corporate Canada are monkeys. What the heck do I know how Canadian attititudes are in terms of the work place. What I do know for sure is that American colleagues don't sit there talking about colleagues in other countries. Somehow you have a "personal anecdote" about colleagues in the Chicago office making remarks about you because you're Canadian.

-Rudey

Yes my personal experience is... well limited to my personal experiences in the office... hence the request for others to submit observations.

But having worked in the HQ's of both the Canadian and American operations you do have an ability (I hope) to make comparisions or observations. Now if it was only myself making statements, or complaints, I would actually attribute the problem to a clash of personalities... but as I have said I have heard other making the same complaints (or observations).
I'm not saying that co-workers sit around all day making little jokes or jabs at others... it's just the little comments in meetings or at social functions; constant requests for advice, that when given goes un-heeded; or the repeated corrections that have to be made in regards to the Canadian market...


Again what I was wondering is have others noticed this at work or not... obviously they would either have to be working (at least sometime) abroad, or working for a large multi-national.

[Rudey]

And again, you can't make such general statements.

From my experience, international bankers from Europe are refined but rather haughty. Within Europe, England is different from Germany and Russia.

Bankers in the states are known for completely changing the industry through 120 hour work weeks and for bringing creativity into the environment.

And bankers from Asia are very attentive to detail to the point that they go back and check for spelling mistakes in prior deals that are already done.

You are trying to push forth these images that can't be done because you are making it seem as if all corporations can be melded as well as all countries on a continent.

On top of that since American companies recruit abroad, we have mixed workplaces filled with a variety of cultures.

-Rudey

Originally posted by RACooper
Yes my personal experience is... well limited to my personal experiences in the office... hence the request for others to submit observations.

But having worked in the HQ's of both the Canadian and American operations you do have an ability (I hope) to make comparisions or observations. Now if it was only myself making statements, or complaints, I would actually attribute the problem to a clash of personalities... but as I have said I have heard other making the same complaints (or observations).
I'm not saying that co-workers sit around all day making little jokes or jabs at others... it's just the little comments in meetings or at social functions; constant requests for advice, that when given goes un-heeded; or the repeated corrections that have to be made in regards to the Canadian market...


Again what I was wondering is have others noticed this at work or not... obviously they would either have to be working (at least sometime) abroad, or working for a large multi-national.