Season 2/Episode 7: Stop Stereotyping
In All Seriousness
Get to Know a Person
In this week’s episode, Tony apologized for his tendency to stereotype accountants. That led to a plea for all of us to stop stereotyping.
Tony told listeners to avoid asking a person what they do for a living, if they’re meeting for the first time. If that person asks you that question, say, “What do you think I do?” This may open their eyes and get them to stop stereotyping.
Jill urged listeners to take the time to get to know who the person is.
Both have other suggestions:
- Â Look within to determine why you have a tendency to stereotype
- Â Ask questions related to what a person feels and values
- Â Consider that nothing positive comes from stereotyping
If someone has ever stereotyped you, how did that make you feel? What are you doing to avoid stereotyping others? Leave your response in our comment section. We enjoy hearing from you.
Tony’s advice not ask what a person does for a living is very interesting. When I worked for an airline that flew to London, I learned the British thought it rude to ask about a person’s work. (Also culturally unacceptable was saying anything bad about the royal family.) With globalization I think these cultural prohibitions have been relaxed, at least somewhat. However, I understand the value of knowing a person a little before letting their job influence our perceptions.
When I started working, I was a hairdresser, and many would respond that I didn’t seem like one. It may be a field that draws different types, but I met and befriended women with whom I had much in common. Hahahaha.
How interesting that it’s actually considered rude in some cultures to ask a person about their profession! I hadn’t realized that, so good to know. That’s also a funny point about it being unacceptable to say anything about the royal family, too, given the latest situation with the royals.
Thanks for commenting!