General Forums >> Indians in the American Workplace >> Family Ties
Family Ties
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Posted 8 months ago My friend's grandfather just passed away in India and she was unable to get a flight that would bring her back to work within her stipulated leave days because of the season, so she didn't go, but I feel like if she had been managed by an Indian, he/she would have understood that in India, grandparents are as close as parents, and that it's a long and difficult trip to make. Has anyone had similar problems and how do you explain Indian family ties to an American boss? |
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| Posted 8 months ago I think family relationships transcend national boundaries. Whilst Indians are very close to family, I think that's true for many cultures. I would imagine that if your friend had a chance to discuss this with her boss, it might have resulted in the reason being rather different than just a lack of understanding about grand-children/parent bonds. American does take pride in being a nation built on the cult of the individual and some people embrace that philosophy more completely than others.
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| Posted 8 months ago i agree with both of you - at the end of the day, it is a very personal thing - i know lots of americans that are very close to extended family, but yes, for indians, it is an indispensable part of our culture.. in america, you work hard, you get rewarded, so it follows that if you don't work, you lose (money, efficiency, etc.). would an indian boss in an american firm really have been more sensitive? |
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| Posted 8 months ago the distance makes things harder for sure - but when we moved here, we gave up the right to be so close to all these events. |
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| Posted 8 months ago i don't think we gave up the "right" - i think we made a choice and recognized that we would put some distance between us and events like this. i have had no problem going back for weddings, and deaths- but i have been at my company for long enough that they understand the constraints. it's never long enough, obviously. |