Across various cultures, such as the United States and other nations, there is a common practice of setting up work regulations and societal norms. Charles Grill serves as a prime example of the importance of aiding fellow members of society.
Irrespective of the location, drug abuse in the workplace is prohibited by all cultures. Society highly values education and community assistance, starting from early schooling to teach children how to positively contribute to society. This guidance continues as individuals reach adulthood, empowering them to make well-informed decisions. The United States strictly adheres to dress codes and cleanliness standards.
When individuals go to work, they are typically required to adhere to a professional dress code which often includes wearing suits. Nevertheless, there exists deviant subcultures that defy these norms and opt for alternative behavior. These groups actively oppose t
...he accepted standards of conduct and give precedence to different sets of values. They do not prioritize contributing to society as their primary aim.
(Montoya & Pittinsky, 2012) According to Charles Grill, this ethnography focuses on deviant individuals who do not align with Mr. Grill's values. Personally, I conducted my study at a wholesale shop located in my Ohio neighborhood.
The shop has a unique expression of deviance that is widely accepted and unquestioned by the people. The workers, who have different dressing codes, contribute to this unusual atmosphere.
Among them, a few were dressed in dirty attire. I sought permission from the manager, John, to conduct interviews and observations on the premises. Once granted permission, I proceeded to interview four individuals: David, the delivery truck driver; Vincent, the store keeper; Gideon, a high school dropout working as a cleaner; and Collin, the
cashier in the shop.
Despite the curiosity and eagerness they showed in talking to me, I had mixed feelings about their looks. It was evident that no one in industries like banks, where reputation mattered, would be willing to hire any of them. Even the manager, who appeared good looking, displayed signs of drug abuse in his eyes. I believe that as a person in a position of responsibility, he should strive to look better than others.
The majority of the women present were attractive and represented the business. It was clear that a lot of individuals were not sober. I inquired John about any issues he had with his employees showing up to work intoxicated, which appeared to disturb him judging by his brief pause.
Contrary to my expectations, he smiled and said that as long as it doesn't impact the business, he is indifferent. Hence, I excused myself and had a discussion with the four individuals in a different part of the warehouse.
The premises had a window and a door for both entrance and rear exit. Before any greetings, David had a roll of pot in his mouth and a flame in his right hand. Within seconds, he was outside and smoke came out of his moustache and nostrils like a steam engine train. Vincent joined him and they returned within a minute.
I inquired whether David had any worries about facing job loss due to a certain action. He reassured me, mentioning that he had been engaging in it for two years without encountering any difficulties. Vincent added that as long as he fulfilled his duties, there should be no issue since it pertained to
his own life. Not receiving a clear response, I shifted the topic away from drugs and asked their thoughts on the significance of pursuing higher education and making a positive impact on society. Their reactions revealed their lack of preparedness to answer that question.
Gideon expressed his indifference towards education, stating that it held little importance to him as he had limited educational experiences. The rest of the group agreed with him, seemingly unaware of the impact education has on individuals. Given the circumstances, I chose not to voice my opposing views.
If I were in someone's shoes and supporting their perspective, it would be normal to question the prevailing standards in that region of the state. Collin alleges that individuals in nearby establishments are using very powerful substances such as cocaine and heroin. This disclosure left me contemplating until Gideon, who had been silent up until this point, interrupted.
While acknowledging that this is an unusual situation in most areas, I understand that as long as we take precautions and avoid being noticed by authorities, there is no need to be concerned. The crucial element here is a person's level of intelligence." Personally, I found this perspective somewhat naive, but I chose not to express my thoughts. We engaged in a conversation for some time, and I observed how the individuals in this specific location differed from societal norms typically embraced elsewhere. All four individuals proudly indulged in drugs and openly discussed it. It was peculiar to witness such unconventional behavior. As I silently contemplated the potential consequences if every subculture within the USA had the liberty to deviate in their own distinct manner.
The potential result could
be harmful. As demonstrated in profiling, "Mr. Grill emphasized that volunteering is admirable and exceptional, as it entails individuals contributing both their resources and efforts to improve society. He recounts how his father, despite his conservative and religious beliefs, collaborated with others to invest in a local salvation army, which resulted in the acquisition of a small church building. They consistently assisted those in need within the church and the community."
His father, a devoutly religious man, believed that a person's actions were the true measure of character. He often quoted his dad, saying "your actions speak louder than words." His father always dressed in a white shirt and suit with a tie, but would remove his jacket and loosen his tie when he came home. He was so religious that he insisted Gill's mother never wear slacks in public, as he believed it was too suggestive. Despite this strict adherence to religious principles, he himself provided support to Hillside Christian orphanage in Korea, both financially and emotionally. Mr. Grill is quite different from these individuals. If an average American were asked about our community's values, they might mention hard work, education, and obtaining a good job. However, it is clear from observation that people from this community deviate from these norms and appear to disregard them entirely.
It is intriguing how some people can deviate from societal norms, leaving a normal educated person like Mr. Grill surprised. My study taught me that not everyone adheres to the norms of society.
References
- Montoya, R., ; Pittinsky, T. (2012). Individual variability in adherence to the norm of group interest
predicts outgroup bias. Group Processes ; Intergroup Relations, 16(2), 173-191. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1368430212450523
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