Thursday, May 14, 2009

hi. i'm in delaware...

I'm having a tough time believing this Delaware Department of Transportation memo is real, but who knows. My whole office is chuckling over it, insisting, "Come on, Beth. It's Delaware." Here are some hot tips from (allegedly) the State of Delaware on how to avoid "Workplace Faux Pas" or basically, Shit You Shouldn't Say:
• I don’t consider you gay.
This is insensitive.
• Never call a coworker a “fag” or “homo.”
This is derogatory, rude, and totally
insensitive.
• Should we order fried chicken or watermelon for you?
This is stereotyping and shows ignorance.
• You must be the new IT person.
All Asians are not IT professionals.
• Never refer to a co-worker as a “retard.”
This is an insult to people with mental disabilities.
• Can you help me out with my landscaping?
Why would you assume that all Hispanics/Latinos are landscaping experts?
• Wow, you are from India! My neighbor Ashok Shah is from India; do you know him?
Think for a minute … do you know every American - or everyone who lives in Dover or Wilmington?
And not to be all racist and shit:
• I don’t trust white people; they are all racists.
This is stereotyping and totally insensitive. Get to know the person or discuss why the actions may have offended you. Don’t generalize.

Maybe San Francisco is so PC, this stuff seems ridiculous but in the Mid-Atlantic states, people are pulling Michael Scott's left and right. Or maybe this is bullshit. Either way, I've got to hand it to the clip-art designer. It's like a goddamn Benetton ad! Thanks, Delaware!

9 comments:

Brittney said...

It's real. There was an apology.

sfmike said...

Actually, that clip art is quite terrifying. Were their arms chopped off at the elbows so they could do an interracial handshake? And did they cut them off with a shredder?

Melissa said...

I can't believe you left out my favorite:

You must be the new IT person.
All Asians are not IT professionals.

Where did you find such a gem?!?!

tangobaby said...

Is it wrong for me to admit how hard I laughed at this? And I do use the word retard much too often. I admit that too. But I don't think it counts if you call your boyfriend that.

THANK YOU for posting this. I'm really glad it's real. I might have to print out a copy and keep it handy.

Spots said...

@Mel The Asians made it in there!

And everyone, I googled the Indian dude, Ashok Shah: http://people.forbes.com/profile/ashok-shah/70061

He's real! What an honor!

tangobaby said...

I sent this to my brother in law and he says he's putting it into his company's manual. See what you've done?

The trash industry outside of Las Vegas will never be the same and I am not making this up.

Anonymous said...

They left out "Don't piss in the communal kitchen sink."

Nikki said...

I saw the link to this on your twitter and had to share it! I too, laughed excessively and was in awe and being very un-PC myself thought "what kind of retard wrote this?". I know, it's rotten. Love "people pulling Micheal Scott's left and right", that is awesome.

rpnorton said...

Dude, I went to high school with the new Lt. Gov of Delaware! And, the 25th reunion is coming up this summer, so if he shows I'll ask him if it's real.