Why are culturally stereotypical behaviors so tolerated?

[mclennan, BSN, RN]

At a new job and once again I am seeing, seemingly for the umpteenth time, some very negative, destructive and disruptive behavior being displayed by a predominantly representative cultural group.

Before you all jump down my throat screaming racism, let's be real here. I'm well aware *anyone* is capable of negative behavior. I'm well aware all groups, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, what-have-you, have their weaknesses and foibles. I am a member of a marginalized ethnic group myself. I'm not a bigot. I'm not intolerant or anti-immigrant. I'm a big fat brown leftist. I love the melting pot and the rainbow coalition as much as any dumb liberal, I am not special.

But why....WHY do I consistently see the same group of people seemingly causing so much trouble and heartache in the nursing profession? Over and over I see it demonstrated again, across environments and specialties. For years!!! The drama. The soap operas. The back stabbing. The trash talking. The secrets. The cliques. The passive aggressiveness. The insults. The mind games. The personality conflicts. The abuse of power. The speaking of languages other than English in front of co-workers, patients and families who don't understand. The rudeness!!!!

And this is from people who are intelligent, educated and articulate citizens of society!

I am fed up with how pervasive this behavior has become. It has become so commonplace that the detrimental affects of it are now just accepted, tolerated.....and in some workplaces......embraced........

Don't people see what stereotypes they are? Is there no reflection? Why is this so difficult to talk about without it erupting into emotional and accusatory conflict?

[klone, MSN, RN]

I'm totally at a loss. I'm trying to figure out *what* stereotypical cultural behavior you are referring to (both the culture and the behavior) and I'm totally coming up blank.

[CarryThatWeight, BSN]

Ditto. I'm definitely missing something...

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

I'll just say that I, as an individual with little natural pigment, couldn't get away with writing what was in the original post. I was going to quote it, but was uncomfortable.

What I know is that most groups, cultural, ethnic, racial, etc, don't like to be characterized in any negative way.

OP, as a member of a marginalized ethnic group, consider if a white man had typed the last paragraph of your post, but about your ethnic group? Would that raise your hackles?

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Human behavior is an interesting topic. But our behavior as a person outside of a facility should not be reflected as the behavior inside of a facility.

In other words, everyone, regardless of culture, ethnicity, and/or socio-economic backround needs to conduct themselves in a professional manner in the workplace. Especially a workplace of adults whose purpose for being there is the functioning of patients.

Why is this not happening? Because it is allowed to continue. It is up to the unit manager to set the culture expectations of a unit. To set the tone for what kind of a unit theirs is going to be. With specific guidelines to how one is to conduct themselves. If a group is chit chatting at the nurses station in any language, then that needs to be moved elsewhere on one's break--and not disruptive to the nurses who are attempting to do work.

What language one speaks in the break room is their business. And don't let it turn into a Jr High "you can't sit at my table" issue--whatever, you have other fish to fry.

If this is communication with a patient that you are then receiving second hand, then follow your policy--most facilities require a medical translator. You need to be sure you are using one (if that is your policy) to assess, reassess, any communication with the patient regardless of what someone who speaks the same language as the patient may interpret and pass on to you.

You are not responsible for other's conduct. There are managers who are. Until they decide that the behavior is interfering with the culture of the unit, this will continue. You can only get up and move elsewhere, pay no mind, and do your thing.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

I'm totally at a loss. I'm trying to figure out *what* stereotypical cultural behavior you are referring to (both the culture and the behavior) and I'm totally coming up blank.

Interesting. I knew exactly what group the OP is referring to. It may be a geographical thing, but around here people have a name for this phenomenon: the ******** mafia. It can feel really lonely on a shift when you're the only person who is not a member.

I personally have not had bad experiences, but have seen the group gang up on others. It happens. Denying it won't solve this type of thing.

Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellcheck

[klone, MSN, RN]

Okay, now I'm dying to know what "the ******* mafia" is.

Can we please name the elephant in the room? What on earth are you and the OP talking about?

[OCRN3]

The mafia LOL! I see that too, many hospitals that I have worked at have this same tradition and it is something hard to break. So, why is it tolerated? If you can beat them, join them. It's better to be with them then against them, they will break you down if you are against them. Seen it with my own eyes, the higher up they go, the worse it is for other ethnic groups. Want a way out? Get into management and hire more varied ethnicities!

[edmia, BSN, RN]

Okay, now I'm dying to know what "the ******* mafia" is.

Can we please name the elephant in the room? What on earth are you and the OP talking about?

Ok fine. I'll do it. And please understand that I did not create this term but in my geographical area (and the OP is in CA where I believe the situation is similar), this is used to describe nurses who are Filipino.

Now, I completely understand why when they were recruited to come work in the US in droves in the 80s they absolutely needed to stick together. They were often taken advantage of by both employers and the Filipino agencies who brought them over. Their labor situation was not fair. I get how it came about -- it was a survival necessity.

But, in some hospitals it is really hard to move units or get management jobs because the hiring committee only hires their own. Also, this is not applicable to every nurse who is Filipino, especially the younger generations.

Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellcheck

[heron, ASN, RN]

I get what OP is saying, though. It's hard to be in the "out-group". When you don't know the language, culturally determined behaviors that establish status, non-verbal signals, and so on, it's hard to function.

But, in my view, the conflict isn't really about "professionalism" vs. "cultural stereotypes". It's about whose cultural stereotypes will control a given workplace and how does the out-group cope with that. Who has to adapt to whom?

In other words, it pretty much sucks to be in the minority.

My best advice is to be as courteous as you know how and stay focused on the work. The cliche is "Be the change you want to see happen." Learn as much as you can about the cliques, especially what's polite, what's rude and how to avoid offending. Find those in the in-group whom you respect and figure out how to earn theirs so you can work together with less tension. Keep as far away as possible from house politics.

You may or may not be able to change the dominant culture at your facility, if that's your goal. It's up to you to decide which hill you're willing to die on.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

But, in my view, the conflict isn't really about "professionalism" vs. "cultural stereotypes". It's about whose cultural stereotypes will control a given workplace and how does the out-group cope with that. Who has to adapt to whom?

In other words, it pretty much sucks to be in the minority.

Completely agree! I've never had any problems with any majority groups at work but I make an effort to find a connection. All humans have something in common and building a relationship from commonality is much easier than to buy into the conflict culture.

Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellcheck

[CriticalCareRN1]

What @mclennan is speaking of is a common phenomenon of feelings felt by people in many different states. Not only with this particular group, but with all non-english speaking people who feel the need to speak in their OWN language in front of an english speaking person "on stage" (on the clinic floor), when they know good and well they know how to speak english, which is how they were able to get the job to begin with. I say it is very disrespectful when non-english speaking people are holding a conversation in their own language in-front of an English speaking person when "on stage". Like another poster said, let that conversation go to the break-room and be "off-stage". I've even seen this behavior in front of the patients, and the patient jokingly asked me, "are they saying something bad about me". It was embarrassing. I believe it does come from the top down, and management direly needs to address this situation, because the spiral effect goes from bad to worse so fast, that you won't see it coming, until you get your HCAHPS or Press Gainey results of your hospital, leading to NO BONUSES FOR YOUR FLOOR. I just think out of respect for your co-workers, to keep all gossiping and other dire needs to speak in your native tongue, should be kept "off stage". It's just more professional in the US.