One Size Fits All Mentality

[nailit]

Why does society have a 'one size fits all' mentality?
Ive seen it over and over again since my school days when everyone was expected to enjoy sports for instance (I hated it and still do), and you're seen as odd if you don't conform. Ive seen it in prison when a screw told me that I was anti social because I preferred to spend some time alone in my cell rather than go for 'association' periods. And ive recently experienced it when getting my CV drawn up. For some reason been a 'team player' almost seems a requisite on a CV nowadays. I'm NOT a team player and work best when left to it. I'm not anti social either, just don't like mixing too much with people that Id rather not be with in my personal life.
Why doesn't society accept that we arnt all the same?

[jno]

if you're applying for a job that requires team players, and you're not one, perhaps you should be looking elsewhere?

[nailit]

I'm not applying for jobs that require team players jno.

[Tilly2]

If you are going to work at the food bank you will need to be part of that team, Nailit.

[fiction-factory]

There will be some jobs that will prefer some one who works best alone but if employers feel certain they want a team player then you either have to adapt or look elsewhere. Maybe you should become self-employed or do agency work where you just go from place to place and don't have to pretend to get on with everyone and be seen to interact

[-Talbot-]

Why doesn't society accept that we arnt all the same?






it does ... by and large

[Islay]

Its not recently I have been working for over 28 years and 99% of my jobs applied for has required me to be a team player!

[anneasquith]

I believe " society" is well aware we are all different, so don't really agree with you're point of view nailit .

[fiction-factory]

You could try to persuade potential employers that they are wrong to look for a team player and that you are ideal employee, but most recruiters have a clear person spec and will probably reject you if you do not fit the bill

[nailit]

Tills // If you are going to work at the food bank you will need to be part of that team, Nailit//
I'm actually applying for volunteer driver Tills.

[Tilly2]

They don't have to be your best buddies but you do have to work together to achieve the same ends.

I also think that you are wrong with your one size fits all theory. people can be very accommodating .

[Jackdaw33]

To my mind 'Team Player' is one of the most ridiculous terms ever invented.

[Prudie]

Team player in a job context doesn't really mean literally that you have to work well in a team, it means more that you are tolerant and interact well with those around you. It's easier to just say you are - unless you want to be a lighthouse keeper.

[nailit]

I didn't really intend this post to be about my job prospects, more of an insight as to how people are somehow expected to conform and if they are a little different how they are seen as anti social.

[nailit]

//It's easier to just say you are - unless you want to be a lighthouse keeper. //
THAT ^ would be my ideal job

[yogi-bear]

Hi nailit

I Just don't let it bother me in everyday situations..... everyone, hopefully, finds their forte or niche in life, and they can excel in that, probably a damn sight better than other can do.

If you're happier not to be a team player, or mix socially with anyone and prefer to get on with matters on your own, then there is nothing wrong with that....Whatever works for you, should be important here......I wouldn't give a flying fig what others think I should do.

Hope you're keeping well,nailit :-)

[Jackdaw33]

I'm with Nailit. Years ago, because I read the Times rather than the Sun and wasn't particularly interested in football I was frequently asked if I was a 'poof'.

[nailit]

//people can be very accommodating//
Not in my experience Tills. As re: my OP, seen odd at school because I hated sport, seen as anti social because I prefered time alone in nick, etc

[Tilly2]

There are not many lighthouses in Stoke. :-)

[nailit]

//Hope you're keeping well,nailit :-) //
Cheers yogi, I'm very good thanks...

[Tilly2]

Nailit, perhaps it's because I was a teacher that I believe that people need to be treated as individuals rather than part of a 'blob' .

I'm obviously on a different wavelength and will bow out.