How Can We Achieve Age Diversity in Silicon Valley?

Re:How Can We Achieve Age Diversity in Silicon Valley? by protomyth on Monday October 19, 2015 @04:15PM (#10415396)

I don't think any from that list is really cultural. They range from basic professional behavior to basic polite society behavior. I've run into people with the hygiene part. I've dealt with farmers who have just dealt with their pigs that smelled better than some folks I've encountered.

Also, "sweetie", really? When I was younger (teens) I offended someone by saying "Ma'am"[1], but I'm pretty sure I would have took a swat to the head from my parents if I ever said "sweetie".

1) I'm pretty sure at this late date (20+ years ago), she was a bit ticked that I used "Ma'am" instead of "Miss" implying she was older than she was. I'm pretty sure she was between 18 and 20, and I was 15 and looked a lot older.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How Can We Achieve Age Diversity in Silicon Valley? by x0x0 on Monday October 19, 2015 @04:33PM (#10415514)

Professional and polite behavior is cultural fit :) Or at least the working definition at this and previous employers where I've been a hiring manager.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How Can We Achieve Age Diversity in Silicon Valley? by crdoconnor on Monday October 19, 2015 @10:45PM (#10417121)

>I don't think any from that list is really cultural

It looks to me like a laundry list of requirements that they wouldn't admit in polite company or want to have documented in their company records, or advertise on their website.

They wouldn't want to put off any investors with bad breath, a PhD, or a penchant for saying 'sweetie', after all.

Also, one of the items clearly advertises an objective deficiency in their working practices. It's pretty plain why they'd want to keep that under wraps.

So yea, less about culture and more about having a list of hidden requirements.

[ Parent | on HN ]