[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 12-02-03 AT 05:31PM (CST)[/font][br][br]Parabeagle - did someone pee on your couch? x;-) (as in one of the episodes...)
We'll try to continue the conversation over the chatter of the Seinfeld (is he Jewish?) junkies. I like the idea of inviting everyone in the workplace to freely bring and display the things they are proud of or honor, and that includes religious symbols. In a perfect world (workplace, playground, poolroom, battlefield bunker or bar) everyone would get along and have a chance to speak up and display things they brought from home for show and tell that day or night or season. And nobody would sling a longneck or conflicting religious journal at them for their opinion or thoughts. Likewise, during the period of time when Christians celebrate what it is they (we) celebrate, they should not be called upon to explain their faith or pretend their faith doesn't exist or shrink from their faith, nor should they be hollered at, pretending they offend, nor told to take their faith home and display it only within the confines of the walls they rent or own. We each, in good time, as the year evolves, will have a chance, if we choose it, to take a turn and show what we brought on our important day. In an ideal world, people of other faiths or no faith at all would walk up to others and, with a genuine smile, say, "Tell me more about your faith, I'd like at least to be able to say I understood a bit about it." And not to offend the original questioner, but I would display the Jewish symbols not out of respect for the Jewish employees, but to honor them and their celebration of their religious icons and practices, just as I would the Christmas tree and snowman, some silly, all important. We need to stop pretending that the workplace is some super-complicated minefield full of traps and dungeons and booger bears and conflict. The lawyers have done that to us. Think of it, just for a moment, as a peaceful, diverse place where smiling, congenial people get along and produce whatever it is the place is supposed to produce, and at the end of the day, leave the building and go home to the other half of their lives, and tomorrow morning, they look forward to coming back. Can we make that real in our lifetimes? Probably not.
>We'll try to continue the conversation over the >chatter of the Seinfeld (is he Jewish?) junkies. >I like the idea of inviting everyone in the >workplace to freely bring and display the things >they are proud of or honor, and that includes >religious symbols. In a perfect world >(workplace, playground, poolroom, battlefield >bunker or bar) everyone would get along and have >a chance to speak up and display things they >brought from home for show and tell that day or >night or season. And nobody would sling a >longneck or conflicting religious journal at >them for their opinion or thoughts. Likewise, >during the period of time when Christians >celebrate what it is they (we) celebrate, they >should not be called upon to explain their faith >or pretend their faith doesn't exist or shrink >from their faith, nor should they be hollered >at, pretending they offend, nor told to take >their faith home and display it only within the >confines of the walls they rent or own. We each, >in good time, as the year evolves, will have a >chance, if we choose it, to take a turn and show >what we brought on our important day. In an >ideal world, people of other faiths or no faith >at all would walk up to others and, with a >genuine smile, say, "Tell me more about your >faith, I'd like at least to be able to say I >understood a bit about it." And not to offend >the original questioner, but I would display the >Jewish symbols not out of respect for the Jewish >employees, but to honor them and their >celebration of their religious icons and >practices, just as I would the Christmas tree >and snowman, some silly, all important. We need >to stop pretending that the workplace is some >super-complicated minefield full of traps and >dungeons and booger bears and conflict. The >lawyers have done that to us. Think of it, just >for a moment, as a peaceful, diverse place where >smiling, congenial people get along and produce >whatever it is the place is supposed to produce, >and at the end of the day, leave the building >and go home to the other half of their lives, >and tomorrow morning, they look forward to >coming back. Can we make that real in our >lifetimes? Probably not. >
Two years ago, instead of a catered holiday party at our NY plant, the ees, volunarily, brought in food representing the ees particular heritage and tradition. It was a resounding success. We still do it and it may be the best meal of the year. It, also, creates a lot of good feeling among people of very disparate beliefs.
Interesting. We did that for many years and found it very successful, too creating a lot of good feeling between people of different beliefs and cultures. We don't have a lot of minorities, but the few we have would bring in one of their favorite dishes to share and was always well received. But.... a very big but because I think we have gone taken a step backward... it was dictated this year by corporate that we will have a catered Christmas party for the ee's held in our cafeteria. I have contracted with a local restaurant that many ee's eat at for lunch, so they are well known. But, I'm already hearing complaints about not being able to bring a dish to pass. I'm hoping somebody will complain to the president who will be in attendance. If I say anything, I will be undermining my boss and that is not good.
Hate to be picky (not really) but it's a holiday party (all inclusive) rather than a Christmas party. Our CFO still wants a catered party, claims it is classier. However, the holiday committee (can't think of another name for it)is adamant that the ees prefer the "Potluck" party.
Yep. One of our Jewish ee's asked my assistant what he is supposed do during the "Christmas" party. I told her we should have just called it a holiday party. He could consider it a Hanukkah party if he wished. We did decorate with a tree and garland hung around the building. But, it really is nothing more than a time to have a big meal and a good time, nothing really is being celebrated. To paraphrase you Whatever, we are right to have a party even though it is centered around and associated with Christmas and our Jewish friend is right to question how it involves him. We are all learning.
Think of it, just >for a moment, as a peaceful, diverse place where >smiling, congenial people get along and produce >whatever it is the place is supposed to produce, >and at the end of the day, leave the building >and go home to the other half of their lives, >and tomorrow morning, they look forward to >coming back. Can we make that real in our >lifetimes? Probably not. >
Not probable, but possible. The HR office is a safe haven. An employee brought a Kwanza candle to me. I asked about it; wanted to know the meaning and tradition. Other employees asked and I believe that they left with a better appreciation of another employee. I love diversity.
If a quilt had one color, it would cease to be beautiful. It's most valuable when contrasting shapes, sizes, and colors blend to create a spectacular array. Be about the business of piecing it together.
Ah Don, true to form - what did I say - or that article. Curudgeons "hold out secret hope for the improvement of the species." "They are idealists at heart." Don't ever quit, we need you.
I hate to bear this newsflash, but, we must not refer to these party/event/recognition days as holidays. Holiday originally meant holy day. Now holiday is defined as 'A day on which one is exempt from work', or 'A day marked by suspension from work in commemoration of an event', or in typical British fashion, a day or more during which one is on vacation. So, if you are working and not closed and not on vacation, you will no longer be allowed to refer to such days as holidays. Nor will you be able to refer to the politically incorrect Christmas tree as a holiday tree, since no holiday may result as defined above. And you can't call them holiday parties either, since again, there is no holiday occuring and to party is not even allowed by several religions, especially if dancing or the showing of legs is involved. We won't even discuss the touching of another person's leg here.
We also need to toss out any cookie cutters that are in the shape of what used to be called Christmas ornaments.
I also noticed that appearing right below the definition of holiday in my dictionary is 'holier-than-thou'. Is that divine intervention or what?
We've simplified things by never having any company event associated with any holiday. Our "Staff Appreciation Dinner" is held in October and out "Staff Picnic" is held in May or June. It's all kind of sad, isn't it?
Just thought I would go ahead and ask: But..... will you have someone say a prayer before the dinner at your company sponsored "event(s)"? We always do (unless the MC forgets) and best I can remember, here in the bible belt of the mid-West the prayers have always refered to Jesus Christ.
I just now have read this thread through. If someone is offended by Christmas trees, they must not be able to get out much. We've been bombarded with the things in every single store since before Halloween. Heck, I'm offended by them when I see them in September! While this item is indeed associated with the Christian holiday (holy day) of Christmas, it is so much more associated with the Santa Claus side than the nativity scene side. But history has it's say I suppose.
Now what say you to this...our casino is loaded with the "benign" decorations of Christmas. We have a Security Officer who placed a Menorah on the main security desk. GM said take it down, and it was so. Hmmmm.....
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 12-03-03 AT 06:19PM (CST)[/font][br][br]The general manager is an uninformed, myopic boob. Why don't you go and have a discussion with him? You could start by asking him if he has any clue as to how many coins are dropped in his slots by Jewish patrons. I think you're on a reservation, aren't you? What if the guard had placed an item on his desk symbolizing Indian faith?
Wow, sorry I am so late reading this thread. As a diversity trainer, you know I want a say. HRSage and Don hit it on the head -- respect and understanding is so much better than ridicule and exclusion. During this wonderful time of the year, let us all learn to accept and appreciate something new about each other.
Love Seinfield -- I want to be Newman -- he just lots a ton of weight.
Believe it or not, one year at our holiday party we were not permitted to have red pointsettias (we had to have white) as it was felt that red represented Christmas and might offend non-christians in attendance!!!! Good Grief Charlie Brown!
Dasher, I'm trying to decide whether it's offensive that you're named after one of Santa's eight tiny reindeer. Depending on your view, that's dangerously close to either a Christian symbol or an anagram of Satan. x;-)
Comments
>chatter of the Seinfeld (is he Jewish?) junkies.
>I like the idea of inviting everyone in the
>workplace to freely bring and display the things
>they are proud of or honor, and that includes
>religious symbols. In a perfect world
>(workplace, playground, poolroom, battlefield
>bunker or bar) everyone would get along and have
>a chance to speak up and display things they
>brought from home for show and tell that day or
>night or season. And nobody would sling a
>longneck or conflicting religious journal at
>them for their opinion or thoughts. Likewise,
>during the period of time when Christians
>celebrate what it is they (we) celebrate, they
>should not be called upon to explain their faith
>or pretend their faith doesn't exist or shrink
>from their faith, nor should they be hollered
>at, pretending they offend, nor told to take
>their faith home and display it only within the
>confines of the walls they rent or own. We each,
>in good time, as the year evolves, will have a
>chance, if we choose it, to take a turn and show
>what we brought on our important day. In an
>ideal world, people of other faiths or no faith
>at all would walk up to others and, with a
>genuine smile, say, "Tell me more about your
>faith, I'd like at least to be able to say I
>understood a bit about it." And not to offend
>the original questioner, but I would display the
>Jewish symbols not out of respect for the Jewish
>employees, but to honor them and their
>celebration of their religious icons and
>practices, just as I would the Christmas tree
>and snowman, some silly, all important. We need
>to stop pretending that the workplace is some
>super-complicated minefield full of traps and
>dungeons and booger bears and conflict. The
>lawyers have done that to us. Think of it, just
>for a moment, as a peaceful, diverse place where
>smiling, congenial people get along and produce
>whatever it is the place is supposed to produce,
>and at the end of the day, leave the building
>and go home to the other half of their lives,
>and tomorrow morning, they look forward to
>coming back. Can we make that real in our
>lifetimes? Probably not.
>
Yes Don...as a matter of fact...he is Jewish.
>for a moment, as a peaceful, diverse place where
>smiling, congenial people get along and produce
>whatever it is the place is supposed to produce,
>and at the end of the day, leave the building
>and go home to the other half of their lives,
>and tomorrow morning, they look forward to
>coming back. Can we make that real in our
>lifetimes? Probably not.
>
Not probable, but possible. The HR office is a safe haven. An employee brought a Kwanza candle to me. I asked about it; wanted to know the meaning and tradition. Other employees asked and I believe that they left with a better appreciation of another employee. I love diversity.
If a quilt had one color, it would cease to be beautiful. It's most valuable when contrasting shapes, sizes, and colors blend to create a spectacular array. Be about the business of piecing it together.
Elizabeth
We also need to toss out any cookie cutters that are in the shape of what used to be called Christmas ornaments.
I also noticed that appearing right below the definition of holiday in my dictionary is 'holier-than-thou'. Is that divine intervention or what?
We always do (unless the MC forgets) and best I can remember, here in the bible belt of the mid-West the prayers have always refered to Jesus Christ.
Now what say you to this...our casino is loaded with the "benign" decorations of Christmas. We have a Security Officer who placed a Menorah on the main security desk. GM said take it down, and it was so. Hmmmm.....
Love Seinfield -- I want to be Newman -- he just lots a ton of weight.