There exists an unwritten rule in modern corporate culture that certain topics remain off limits. This is especially true in New York City, the sports capital of the world.
The average office worker would never consider discussing the inner workings of politics or abortion rights with their boss. Religion, Race, Sexuality are camped firmly outside the realm of acceptable conversation. Feelings can be hurt, prejudices revealed and very important toes stepped on. It's best to remain non-committal when approached on a sensitive topic such as "What do you think about politician X's position on controversial issue #63?
But who doesn't chat up co-workers about the Super Bowl or last night's Knicks game? It's a safe area, right? Sports are harmless and innocent, a casual outside-of-work diversion that almost everyone can agree on.
Or is it?
I submit that this is equally dangerous territory, especially in New York.
In brief, here are some scenarios:
1. Determining that your boss/subordinate is mentally incapable of doing his/ her job—as allegiance to the wrong team directly reflects one’s intelligence.
2. Gambling--including bets and guarantees of victory (which directly leads to violence and/or workplace harassment)
3. The direct correlation between a big sports issue and work not getting done as demonstrated by Internet searches on work computers looking for “Shane Spencer’s career slugging percentage”.
4. Offending spouses or significant others. Offending Mothers and Grandmothers. Offending currently living and deceased family pets.
5. Revealing your encyclopedic knowledge of stats and scores instead of remembering that your proposal was due today.
