It started with a simple greeting. A professional based in Bengalur, who shared his experience with the favorite subredit in the city, told walking on office meetings that began with a polite “how is your day?” In English. But in moments, the discussion would move completely to Hindi – quick exchanges, jokes and ideas that jump around and let it lose. As Kannadiga, he found himself as an outsider in a room full of colleagues who unknowingly created a language wall that could not cross.
The Reddit user named Eclipevanquisher has described in detail how this language barrier has spread to fair meetings. “Imagine that you go to a meeting that starts with polite” how are you? “In English, only after another 30 minutes dissolved on fast Hindi. The jokes fly, the ideas bounce and you are just … nodded. Not because you agree, but because you are lost. You are South Indian, northeast or from the area, where Hindi is not your mother tongue.
The feeling of exclusion was not limited to the tongue. The user shared how informal office culture also played a role in its insulation. As a non -smoker and Teetotaler, he often found himself from informal network spaces. “No smoke?” No drink? No seat at the table, ”he said. “Here are other” unofficial rules “: Smoke Breaks = Working Gold. Every hour the balcony is filled with people who are inflated, discussing projects, venting about managers or just… chatting. Don't you smoke? Congratulations on healthy lungs! Now enjoy staring at the screen while career critical conversations take place without you. ”
The isolation has spread to the office parties, where his decision did not drink him as an outsider. “And office parties?” If you do not eat glasses, you are a ghost. “Why don't you drink?!” becomes the anthem of the night. Drinkly fall and suddenly you are “boring”. Fomo is not about alcohol – it is a friendship that evaporates when you are not “one of them”. ”
His sincere considerations hit the chord with many. Reddit users rang their feelings and shared similar experiences with a cultural sense. One commentator noted: “Your point not. 1: I agree with you. I have never seen a Hindi guy who faced the same embarrassing situation in the Kannada Majoritation group. I usually noticed that Kannady employees are also beginning to speak Hindi to make their colleagues from Kannadiga happier. ”
Another user emphasized the importance of promoting the inclusive work environment and sharing their personal approach: “It is difficult to find companies that differ because it is also quite dependent on the team. But there are such teams and companies. I expressly ensure that my teams speak only in English when it is related to work. I started my career with smaller startups and I quickly realized that I would have to play the borders around them. I did peace with the fact that I would miss the discussion and also did not receive so much “time on the face with the boss”, etc. It's 7 years and fortunately it worked out for me. All of my colleagues know and respect the fact that I do not drink or smoke. ”
This conversation casts light on the fine but significant ways that culture in the workplace can become excluding, not apparent acts, but through the habits and social standards that many do not even realize.
