Coworker asked me to talk to a friend about our job as his friend had a “similar background”. It turns out the only thing we had in common was that we’re both of Asian origin (different countries though) and did an MBA in Europe (am Europe-based), but at different schools. His friend has never even worked in consulting and had their whole career in Asia, whereas I’ve been in consulting my whole career, and mostly outside of Asia. Am I overreacting by thinking this is subtly racist?

likefunny
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How exactly is that “racist?”

Yes, you’re overreacting. Sounds like your coworker was just trying to help/do something nice and you’re being overly sensitive.

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Think youre overreacting, remember that most people tend to bundle all MBAs together. Europe MBAs are a niche in their own right, and enough to label you as similar backgrounds.

As someone already suggested, I would ask (in a non-confrontational way) your friend where do you think you can add most value.

likefunny

Also, even if the connection was purely based on you being Asian, I would say it’s insensitive but not racist. Clearly your coworker/friend is coming from a good place why not embrace that rather than the negative?

I come from a very specific minority and had plenty of overt “hey my friend is also xyz, you should hang!”, I always took the opportunity to expand my network.

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Might be a bit overestimating the negative. “Similar background” is a broad brush for “I told my friend I’d get him someone to chat with and I’m not putting much effort in”

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Europe MBA is enough. Both being Asian is a plus. Overreacting dawg

likefunny

This is why Asians do not have a strong presence in the business world of Western society. This Asian type and that Asian type, it doesn’t matter. We have all gone through the struggles as a minority climbing through the ranks of corporate western society. Help a brother out man!

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Yeah but I think your friend is being very inclusive and trying to help people regardless of their colour. I think it’s a great thing they are trying to connect people in their network that want to switch over to consulting. That should be hailed.

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Just ask them what they mean by similar background, instead of guessing

likesmart

Right ask how they think you can help their friend, depending on their answer, they may clarify, and you might realize you are reading too much into the situation, or they will say out loud an incorrect assumption and in that case you can correct them and move along.

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As a Black person, I will say that I am not sure you understand what racist is OP

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Idk, there ARE some similarities in background like you described. Is the recommending friend somebody who would be familiar with the more nuanced similarities or somebody that only has the high level knowledge?

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High level knowledge. We’ve not interacted very often or at length. But I know he’s seen my LinkedIn profile so he’d know that I never worked outside of consulting and barely in Asia.

C’mon man……

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Both being Asians and Europe-based MBA is very similar. Help them out…

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If someone told me to talk to their friend who is from the same region in the world (neighboring countries included) I’d be happy to. Networking is much easier when you find some common ground, common experiences.

I would not be offended or think the person who is trying to make the introduction is racist, by any means. On the contrary, people who share their connections, and help me expand my circle, are the type of people I want to be connected too, and I would return the favor.

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I guess the question is if you switched out the descriptors (eg Americans who have done their MBA in Europe but don’t actually have similar work backgrounds) - would you have introduced them as having a similar background. I think I would given that there are less people who have a MBA and I have been introduced to people simply for having a MBA.

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Networking is about finding ways to relate, not parsing out details to highlight differences. That said, you don't need to ask permission to feel offended. If you felt that way, it's a real feeling. I would encourage you to consider your use of language though. It's counterproductive to question this as "racist". Racism means something and broadening the term diminishes the impact.

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