I was listening in a conversation between 2 colleagues. It was about some mundane topics. One was in the middle of recounting her experience on something while the other colleague simultaneously raised her voice slightly louder to drown out her colleague so that she could continue narrating her own story.
I frowned.
Though it is absolutely harmless in this instance, I find it extremely rude. Is it so difficult allowing the other person to finish her piece first before continuing with yours? Where are the manners?
What raises my eyebrow is this is not an isolated case in the workplace. It is in fact quite an everyday scenario. Somedays such dialogues go unnoticed while somedays we get to witness shouting matches between headstrong colleagues who won't budge at all. Quite akin to kindergarten children having a spat.
I wondered out aloud to the man and friends if this is the norm in german working culture. Apparently not.
Therefore, does it mean as long as their opinions are being put across and they have the last words, it means a battle won? Whatever happens to discussing work issues calmly and amicable like grown-ups? And be professional at that too?
Even simple work queries are answered in a hostile and sometimes aggressive manner.
Another colleague as old as me in this workplace has had enough and finally called it quits. In short, she was bullied for being slow to catch on.
Something is amiss here. Yet the management does nothing to discourage such behaviour. They simply stand aside and look on while the agressiveness festers like an ugly disease in this workplace.
I am determined not to let this evil disease catch me. If necessary, I will stand my ground and state my views but I refuse to bully and get bullied.
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