These are times of boundary less world. These are also times of our obsession with the ‘less’. On one hand, we are trying to fill the gap by addressing sensitive issues in course curriculum, and on the other hand, we keep loosing it because of changes happening where we least expect. The changing profile and attitude of teaching faculty is one such thing. No longer has it remained the profession of the noble, as it is seen as just another profession, and some times a comfortable one. It has also become a feather in the cap of today’s manager. And hence, a very diverse set of people are entering the teaching line, with diverse interests and backgrounds. It is good to a large extent, but bad when we start expecting them of certain kind of nobleness as teachers were always expected to.
As I entered the class late, the teacher allowed me to come in. But he made the class give me a big applause (clap, clap, professors do that to bore the late comers :). I came in and said “thank you”. He seemed to feel that I was a bit intimidated, so he held my arm while asking me to come in and said, “Don’t worry dear, I am not touching you the wrong way :)” Good sense of humour? Let us see…
Two minutes later, he makes a point to one guy, saying, “Suppose you get married” (class laughs) “And suppose you have a child too” (laughter), “And even suppose it is your own child!” (more laughter)… He watches people laughing, stands tall, and says, “Yes, Can you know who the father of a child is? Never! Even DNA tests won’t tell. ONLY the mother knows the father of the child!” He feels himself superior and moves around, while people let the joke passed amidst laughter. Why this example? He was trying to explain the real decision makers in the buying process, and something about consumers and customers. 1.5 hours and 1.5 dozen double meaning jokes… Did we deserve more? :)
Today a friend in another class says his teacher of CRM asked a guy, “Do you think having one-night-stands every day would make you have a better relationship with your girlfriend?” (many worse examples are not shared here) What the hell! The class laughed while some people felt bad. He was explaining how customer relationship management is as complex as real life personal relationships...
Normally we all avoid minding or objecting to such comments because they are occasional ones and in pure humour. But many a times, they are derogatory to a particular sex, caste or religion. Most common is to see women as an object. And they take it that the class will enjoy such jokes! From my personal experience, this phenomenon is seen mainly in the visiting faculty from the industry, who would make their day (evening) by breaking such funny but double meaning jokes at every opportunity. The students just laugh and let it go. In one subject, we tolerated one retired HR manager for 3 months, who kept telling corrupt stories in the name of sharing practical cases. And one professor, who described lewd details in the name of explaining cultural diversities. We rated them low in the feedback forms, but I am not sure if anyone mentioned what they said in the class rooms. All such incidents still make me sure of one thing – no matter how much the new generation has changed, we still respect our elders. And we discount their bad habits to a generous extent.
I had read somewhere that while in public, we should never tell such jokes because public memory keeps that particular impression of ours for a long time. If I meet my teacher after 20 years, it may happen that I will recall him by the double-meaning jokes he told in the class. It is high time the teachers behave themselves. As such I am decided now that if that teacher continues his way, I would politely let him know of my opinion, ok, gyaan :) Complaint is a big decision and something I would avoid. But we never know :)
Everything can be laughed off, but there is always a limit.
***
Note: This article doesn’t generalise the phenomenon or behaviour of teachers in general. Views expressed are personal. Nothing is against any particular teacher or university. For the record, incidents mentioned may be fictitious. And it should not be quoted for any action against anyone.
As I entered the class late, the teacher allowed me to come in. But he made the class give me a big applause (clap, clap, professors do that to bore the late comers :). I came in and said “thank you”. He seemed to feel that I was a bit intimidated, so he held my arm while asking me to come in and said, “Don’t worry dear, I am not touching you the wrong way :)” Good sense of humour? Let us see…
Two minutes later, he makes a point to one guy, saying, “Suppose you get married” (class laughs) “And suppose you have a child too” (laughter), “And even suppose it is your own child!” (more laughter)… He watches people laughing, stands tall, and says, “Yes, Can you know who the father of a child is? Never! Even DNA tests won’t tell. ONLY the mother knows the father of the child!” He feels himself superior and moves around, while people let the joke passed amidst laughter. Why this example? He was trying to explain the real decision makers in the buying process, and something about consumers and customers. 1.5 hours and 1.5 dozen double meaning jokes… Did we deserve more? :)
Today a friend in another class says his teacher of CRM asked a guy, “Do you think having one-night-stands every day would make you have a better relationship with your girlfriend?” (many worse examples are not shared here) What the hell! The class laughed while some people felt bad. He was explaining how customer relationship management is as complex as real life personal relationships...
Normally we all avoid minding or objecting to such comments because they are occasional ones and in pure humour. But many a times, they are derogatory to a particular sex, caste or religion. Most common is to see women as an object. And they take it that the class will enjoy such jokes! From my personal experience, this phenomenon is seen mainly in the visiting faculty from the industry, who would make their day (evening) by breaking such funny but double meaning jokes at every opportunity. The students just laugh and let it go. In one subject, we tolerated one retired HR manager for 3 months, who kept telling corrupt stories in the name of sharing practical cases. And one professor, who described lewd details in the name of explaining cultural diversities. We rated them low in the feedback forms, but I am not sure if anyone mentioned what they said in the class rooms. All such incidents still make me sure of one thing – no matter how much the new generation has changed, we still respect our elders. And we discount their bad habits to a generous extent.
I had read somewhere that while in public, we should never tell such jokes because public memory keeps that particular impression of ours for a long time. If I meet my teacher after 20 years, it may happen that I will recall him by the double-meaning jokes he told in the class. It is high time the teachers behave themselves. As such I am decided now that if that teacher continues his way, I would politely let him know of my opinion, ok, gyaan :) Complaint is a big decision and something I would avoid. But we never know :)
Everything can be laughed off, but there is always a limit.
***
Note: This article doesn’t generalise the phenomenon or behaviour of teachers in general. Views expressed are personal. Nothing is against any particular teacher or university. For the record, incidents mentioned may be fictitious. And it should not be quoted for any action against anyone.
1 comment:
You have raised a very serious and apt question. I feel ashamed of these lots who don't know how to behave with younger lots. And then they turn around and blame students for non seriousness and ill manners.They don't think that they are dealing with an individual who has a brain and feelings. But you seem to be mature beyond your years! :-)
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