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What Race Do You NOT Want as Your Boss?

#chineseboss#cantonese#lightdistrict#hazing#movefast
the transcript auto-captions · entered into evidence

0:00 It's like being in a frat. >> How do Japanese people haze each other in the workplace? >> Take them to Red Light District. [laughter] >> Or what's the hazing you don't like? >> Well, sometimes you just you just get punked. Punked like this >> basically. Yeah. >> But once you work your way up after a couple years, >> you get to be the one that does it. >> Can I have a Japanese boss? >> So you could do that. >> Welcome back to another episode of Careful Boys. Today we're going to talk about the idea of let's say that you had to go back and get a 9 toive job for some reason, right? >> Yeah. >> You don't get to choose who your boss is going to be, but you do get to choose what race he isn't. >> What race he isn't? >> ████ >> What which one would you like to rule

0:50 out as a possibility? >> What? >> So many choices. >> Race heat. >> And this is going to be your 9 to5 boss. >> I think white. you he can't be white. Why? >> I feel like um at least this is from all of my experience and specifically in nineto-5 uh environments. I feel like because I'm not to the books, I'm a very it's hard for me to conform to the books like to be to fit well in a to the books environment. And I think every other minority I've ever met in the nineto-5, they kind of have that like grace period too or like that threshold area. >> Yeah. So, like if I have like let's say a Hispanic boss or a black boss or an Indian boss or whatever, like if we get

1:40 the work done by 3 and we're supposed to be our shift ends at 5, a lot of them will be like, "Yeah, just bounces 4 or whatever, you know, or like or it could be a Friday that bounce 4:30, but then um I feel like the white guy will like would be like, "Oh, but what about the union rules?" And you know, I'm like, "Motherfucker." >> Start flanders you. Yeah. >> Yeah. You're just like, "But the rule or the union say and like the lawsuit." >> Rules are rules. I don't write them. >> Yeah. And I'm like, "What the ████ bro?" >> I'm going to say Chinese. >> Really? >> For the opposite reasons of that. >> Wait, why? What do you mean? >> Cuz cuz I might be like, "What about the union rules? [laughter] >> They cut too many corners." >> Yeah, that's true. Dang. Yeah. >> Run out of helmets in a construction zone. like when I work on like like uh productions in any other country, right?

2:32 It's like there's some version of a logic on how to execute certain things, >> but when I work on productions in China, it's like all of the necessary rules are out the window. >> And it's just like in one sense, maybe magic can happen cuz you're always everything's epic because they like cut every corner and that is cutable and you didn't even know those corners existed. But maybe you also go home sick, malnourished, and like you just hate life. But you made something incredible. >> But it's like the it's just not the same. And if I'm going to work there every day 9 to5, I would I would rather have some rules. However, I will also say uh you know, when you're in your own ethnic zone, then now those ethnic rules might apply to you. >> Oh, extra standard. It's also like now

3:23 they're my elder, not just like my regular employer. >> Yeah. >> Now they're like this other version of hierarchy. >> He's like your uncle now or whatever. >> And so I might not be able to escape those things or I might disappoint him. Not just like do the right job or her for that matter. >> That's true. >> Or maybe they pull out a ruler and they hit me when I'm falling asleep. >> That's true. >> Oh yeah. I don't want no Asians. >> I could do Asians. Other Asians. >> Maybe Filipino. You want a Filipino boss? >> Maybe. [laughter] Maybe. Maybe. Filipino. >> What? Which one do you not want if you have to eliminate one from being even possible? >> For the same reasons. Japanese. >> No. Japanese. >> I had Japanese managers. >> You don't like that? >> No. >> What's What do they do differently that that's like unique for them? >> Because when you speak and you're like a part of that group, there's a whole different set of rules. >> There's like they might

4:15 not fire you. Like they might not think of you first when it comes time time to downsize or anything, but like there's a lot of like hazing, constant hazing. There's just like it's like being in a frat. >> How do Japanese people haze each other in the workplace? >> Take them to red light district. [laughter] >> Just smiles. >> I don't know. Like >> or what's the hazing you don't like? >> Well, sometimes you just you just get punked and then if they're older than you, you can't do >> punked like this. Like how do they punk you at the workplace? >> ████ with you. Like they'll find it's like being around a bunch of like frat guys, right? Like I don't have any specifics because I always spoke English there, but the way that they treat each other, I would like it gets so bad that dudes will like off themselves cuz they're they're dealing with so much bullying. >> And then >> Japanese American corporation. >> Yeah, they had a they had a couple of

5:05 incidents in Torrance because they they operate the same way. Like they they don't treat Japanese Americans this way. We're like the outsiders. So we're like in the >> bow lower. >> Yeah. But like they really ████ with each other like hard and like but it's it's kind of like the the constant like over and over and over and then like or like for example one incident was you know you can't refuse to go out like if they go we're going to go drink tonight we're all going. Sounds like a fun time right but then you become if you're like the ████ of the group then you're the entertainment. So they'll be like, "Oh, dude, strip to your underwear and sing these five songs back to back." And everyone's dying laughing at you while you're doing it. And you can't say no. You just got to do it. So like it's like hazing like that. Like they just find creative ways like being around a drill sergeant, you know? Like eat rocks, like that kind of ████ >> It's like what your older brother did to you >> basically. Yeah.

5:55 >> But once you work your way up after a couple years, >> you get to be the one that does it. Yeah. >> It's kind of I'm going to Okay. Can I have a Japanese boss? >> So you could do that. [laughter] >> He'll work way up. I'll suffer the first couple years. >> Makes you go to red light district. Hey. Uh oh ████ [laughter] >> All right. What do you not want? >> I was going to say Chinese. >> Really? Chinese? >> Damn. >> Dang. >> I think my parents burned into my brain. They were like, "Don't work for a Chinese person." >> What was Did you ever ask why? >> That was it. >> No, but it was just say it was just like the typical stereotypes like they're cheap, they cut corners, you know, like things like that. >> Is there specific though? Like it would it like if it was Cantonese or mainland or Taiwanese or any or Singaporean or whatever. >> No, I they never really said but I think they they they specifically mean from

6:45 China. >> That's what that's that's what like they would say to me. Um but they didn't really have any like spec well they would never tell me the specifics, but they would just say, "Yeah, they're cheap. They they'll treat you poorly." Just like stereotypes. So in my head I'm like and then when I hear you talking about like the insideness of like oh I'm Chinese and there's like a certain level of like uh like a extra standard I feel like you have to keep up cuz I've had white bosses, you know, they can be kind of sticklers. They can kind of be annoying but they're they're pretty chill because I'm Chinese. I get to I feel like I get a little advantage of like oh see I'm a minority here. >> I had black bosses. They've been pretty chill. Where where did you have black boxes at? >> I'm an old fight gym that I used to work at. >> Yeah. Um like it was mostly pretty

7:36 chill. Like nothing too crazy. >> Um I'm working for a Persian guy now. Yeah. >> Oh, >> and it's not it's not bad. It's not bad at all. >> Is he always trying to sell you rugs? >> I wish. He has no rugs. He has no rug >> in talking about Jeremy. >> Yeah. [laughter] I worked with that dude and he's he's probably been the chillst freaking boss I've worked with. He's so chill. >> Yeah, he's the best. >> But he is he half >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Half chill. >> It balances them out. Is that what you mean? >> Yeah. Half and half. A mix is good. >> I don't really know the stereotypes, though. >> I had a Chinese boss. I worked for a Chinese construction company and it was one of the best experiences ever. >> Really? >> So, he says a Cantonese company. So, like Cantonese >> Cantonese Chinese is kind of like the most stereotypical that you find in like I guess in the SUV in America. And everything is just about efficiency.

8:27 So I really like that because you move fast. So it would be like my first day on the job they would pay like a hundred bucks a day to do help with construction. I'm like skillless, right? So they just first you're just like our errand boy. So like let's say we're like collecting nails or sweeping or whatever and then it comes time for lunch. He's like here's $100. Buy anything where you could feed 10 people. So it's just like quick. It's not like oh what are we going to eat? Whatever. It's just I'm like oh ████ Okay 10 people 100 bucks. It has to be under $10 per plate. >> What' you end up getting? I got everybody fur and everyone was happy. >> Heck yeah. >> Cuz it to me just like a good call. >> Yeah. Him was like surprise me. You know that's [laughter] what it felt like cuz they're gonna do because I'm going to meet him tomorrow and then Wednesday and then Thursday. So he probably was like the variety is going to be cool. And then I remember the first time I got into having a actual like building uh role. Um he's

9:17 like I need you to like nail these like 4x4s together with the nail gun. I'm like do you need like a license for this or like I'm like like what if I shoot this? They were like >> it's okay. hot hat. >> No, he was I didn't even have I didn't even have a hard hat. >> He goes, "Go do it one time." And I go like that. He goes, "Good. Now do all of them." And I'm like, "Oh s███." Okay. So, I just went boom boom boom boom boom. We just built like a whole stud wall and we like >> And I just liked how fast we moved. And then uh Yeah. And it was like one of those where it's like we're This is the part of the house that we need to complete and we finished it early. Everyone just went home. >> What if it's like a accounting office? >> Yeah. The setting is probably really important. probably different. I don't know. I think I like more hands-on. That's like more everyone's kind of like more rough around the edges and it was it was just cool to like work like that. >> Yeah, I worked for Cantonese bosses at a restaurant. They were cool as ████

10:09 >> Cantonese, >> but I never worked for like Mandarin speakers. I heard they're culturally different. >> Yeah, I never I never work for man, but like Yeah, it's just Cantonese is just efficiency. If you move fast, if you can move fast and if you could save money, everyone's on the same page. >> Everyone's happy. >> Yeah. Everyone. >> That's true. Yeah. Doing this stuff in China. That's the first time I've ever seen somebody on a like a 25 ft ladder putting a light up and then they have to like they have to get that light. So then he grips it with his legs and scoots the lad. >> Yeah. It's like A STEEL WALKING THING. >> AND THEY'RE like they're not wearing any eye stuff. They're welding and stuff. is just like >> you would never see that here >> in between breaks cuz they don't get official breaks. They're just sleeping on cardboard boxes and stuff. >> Isn't that like a trend in China right now where it's like a it's like a number

11:00 but it's basically like a 5.56 or whatever it is but it's about like working seven days a week hella hours and a lot of like programmers and young people do it cuz they they could make a ton of money and then they sleep at the company. >> There's like a whole trend going on. Yeah. But there's a but they call it a number like 772 or whatever. >> I mean, if there's a payout and any you know, you're always willing to do something insane if there's like a a reason, right? They they do that. Let's say they do that for like a year or two and it's hard as hell. But then it's like, okay, cool. Now you got a house and you can actually retire by like 45. Sure. I think anybody could choose to endure. But if we're we're going on just like a this is your nineto-ive for the rest of your known existence of work. >> Yeah. I'm like, what's going to be the most >> definitely not want to be in China. I don't know about Chinese here, >> but I wouldn't want to be in China. >> For sure. Not over there. I don't even

11:50 understand the rules over there. >> Just cuz that was like the hardest thing was was noticing that nobody is willing to help you with anything unless their boss sees them do it. >> Cuz it's like empty credit >> cuz you have you have to be performative >> cuz there's no reason to do anything unless the boss sees them do it because that's how they get the boss's job. That's in That's in China or >> Yeah. At least the productions we were on, everyone's their job was to literally help us with ████ but they don't do nothing. You got to You see like 10 people just all sitting in the side waiting for someone to tell them to do something, but they won't do it. >> So many weird power dynamics, too. Like the boss and then like like your boss and then their boss and then their boss and their boss and the way they come in and just try to like take credit for something. It's like it's the craziest thing. >> Yeah. They're like it's like a get what you can grab situation. It looks very

12:40 desperate. And then when the ████ main guy is in the room, everyone suddenly becomes mad efficient. Yeah, of course. Yeah. What did you tell me? Yeah, sure. And if he's not there, like they're not there, but they're supposed to be. I was like, this is >> how do they have A SENSOR LIKE MANAGER COMING? OKAY. >> But magic happens, but the end product is al always insane though. >> Nothing stops. If the main dude is like, "Oh yeah, you I want lasers here." Then no one's going to go, "Oh, well that's not safe." Like [laughter] that's what I love. >> It's like who who wants to get paid, you know? >> Yeah. >> That sucks. I think I would still pick Jewish. >> You wouldn't work with a Jewish guy? >> Nah. >> Why? >> From my family's experience, if it had to be a 9 to5 like my um my dad used to work at this one hospital where he racked up hella

13:31 benefits and and like retirement and all this stuff. The owner was Jewish. And then uh when it came time for like I guess the embezzlement got discovered um only the Jewish people got protected and everyone else lost all their >> Whoa. >> And then that was the that was the first time my dad was like he didn't say nothing about Jewish people. >> ████ the juice. [laughter] >> But that was the only >> that was like one of the only times I saw him cry. >> Oh >> damn. >> Wow. >> Just gutted, bro. >> Yeah, dude. Retirement's crazy. cuz he came here to this to America and he worked in the same hospital as a janitor and then when he finished his like certification he moved into X-ray and never worked any he gave full loyalty to this one place and then they just said no there's nothing there all your whole fund gone everything >> that's heartbreaking bro

14:22 >> so since then I'm like my dad was like he didn't say like oh Jews are bad news he didn't say that he just said that like he just said be careful because at the end of the day people take care of people first and uh yeah, that wasn't >> okay. I want a Chinese boss. I want a Chinese boss. Please give me a Chinese boss, even if it's in China. [laughter] >> That's true. I'm going to get hazed by Japanese cuz they'll take care of me while they beat me up. >> I think it's just part of the culture. I think we all have to accept our own bosses. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Let's all be honest, though. No, nobody wants a Korean boss, huh?

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