Assumptions Essay 3 Yongtao Xiao Wesley ENG 5 9/20/2018

ASSUMPTIONS ESSAY 3 Yongtao Xiao(Wesley) ENG 5 9/20/2018

I was once employed as a customer care service in a bank. For the three years I had worked there, the people who were preparing and serving our meals were all women. Fortunately or unfortunately, one of the tea girls left, and the search for another tea girl went futile, but there was this young man who came to the manager seeking employment. The manager decided to give him a chance, although he was unsure if he would fit the task. Naturally, his service was not as the previous tea girl’s had been.

He would take a long time to bring tea and would serve only one item at a time. Since tea breaks were meant to be very short due to the high volume of customers, we found ourselves wasting the allocated time. We all decided to help him improve the situation, but this decision was guided by various assumptions. First, we assumed that his services would be poor because he was a man, given the societal perception that such tasks are predominantly women's work.

We thought he would not improve and decided to serve ourselves instead of supporting him. We also assumed that he had not attended school or college. These assumptions influenced our behavior, leading us to take on roles that the man was employed to perform. Had we not made these assumptions, we might have helped him develop his skills, which could have benefited both him and the team. Instead, our assumptions led to a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy, where our beliefs about his abilities influenced our actions and ultimately reinforced those beliefs.

Later, we learned that our assumption about his lack of education was incorrect. He had studied a course related to restaurant service, but lacked practical experience. This experience taught us a crucial lesson about the dangers of making unfounded assumptions and how such perceptions can hinder the potential for growth and improvement in others.

Paper For Above instruction

Assumptions play a significant role in shaping our perceptions and actions, often influencing our judgments about others without sufficient evidence. In many settings, assumptions can either facilitate understanding or foster misunderstanding, prejudice, and inaction. This essay reflects on a personal experience that highlights the impact of assumptions, emphasizing the importance of challenging initial beliefs to foster fair and constructive interactions.

The incident revolves around my experience working in a bank, where the staffing of food service personnel was exclusively female. This cultural norm was challenged when a young man applied for a position as a tea server after the departure of one of the female tea girls. Our initial assumptions about his abilities and suitability were based on gender stereotypes and assumptions about his educational background. We presumed promptly that his performance would be poor because he was male and that he lacked the necessary schooling, which was not necessarily true.

The assumptions we held influenced how we interacted with him, choosing not to assist or guide him, instead stepping into roles intended for him. Our biased perceptions created a self-fulfilling cycle where his potential was neglected, and consequently, his performance did not improve due to the lack of support. These assumptions reflected societal stereotypes about gender roles and the prejudice that can stem from unexamined beliefs.

However, the revelation that he had studied a relevant course dispelled our misconceptions about his lack of education. This realization prompted a reflection on the importance of evaluating individuals based on evidence rather than stereotypes. It illustrated that assumptions, when unchecked, can hinder personal development and unfairly restrict opportunities for others.

Challenging assumptions is critical in fostering an environment of fairness and growth. Critical thinking allows individuals to question their biases and stereotypes, leading to more equitable treatment and better decision-making. In organizational contexts, this can improve teamwork, innovation, and the sharing of opportunities. For example, in hiring practices, avoiding assumptions based on gender, education, or appearance can lead to more diverse and competent teams (Mayfield, 2014).

Moreover, assumptions often serve as mental shortcuts that help navigate complex social interactions but can become obstacles if left unexamined. Researchers suggest that cultivating awareness of one's biases and seeking evidence before forming conclusions can help mitigate the negative effects of assumptions (Nisbett & Ross, 1980). In the case of our team, recognizing our biases could have led us to support and mentor the young man, potentially enhancing his skills and contribution to the team.

In the broader scope, assumptions influence societal perceptions about gender, race, and class, affecting policy and systemic attitudes. Education and awareness campaigns are instrumental in challenging stereotypes and promoting diversity and inclusion (Sue et al., 2009). Organizations that actively promote critical thinking and bias awareness foster a culture of equity and innovation.

In conclusion, the personal experience detailed here underscores the importance of scrutinizing our assumptions and stereotypes. By questioning our beliefs and seeking evidence, we can foster more fair, inclusive, and productive environments both in workplaces and society at large. Moving beyond assumptions not only helps individuals reach their potential but also contributes to creating a more equitable and understanding world.

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