Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/n...re/7951778.stm

Can't see this policy going down well...

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Well its not a ban at all its just those who can not understand English I would have though a great portion of foreign speaking nationals at least learn English when they live here. If a customer comes in rapidly chattering urdu and do not understand you how can you sell them anything?

I think its fair enough myself

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Making it a formal policy is the problem here. This part:

Yes. Obviously. This should go without saying, if someone comes in and is unable to speak the language to such an extent they could not convey their request then they won't be able to be served.

This guy seems to want to make a statement out of it. It's also the case that people may have just arrived or are visiting and is it fair to exclude them totally? How about if their English is poor but you can understand what they want? Are they excluded?

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Fair play to him, he can make a stand without the race card being used against him. There seems to be quite a few people on this forum who are quite happy to be trampled on, and feel sorry for the people who don't want to learn our language or customs, yet still reap the benefits that these posters are paying for in taxes.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

If he was white then he would have been arrested and cautioned or at least been thrown out of his post office job by now, but as he is asian everybody is probably to frightened to say boo to him in case he says their being racist.

Quite funny in many ways.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Ahem - from the article
"But Afzal Sadif from the Nottingham Racial Equality Council said Mr Kumarasiri's stance was "unacceptable". "

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

what if the customer is without speech ?
pointing and gesturing usually surf-ices ,no i think this is just plain rude.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Yes but he only said unacceptable, no hint of racism.

---------- Post added at 11:54 ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 ----------

Do you have to post just for the sake of it, people with afflictions can't help the way they are, he is on about immigrants who can't be bothered to learn the language.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

But no arrest or loss of job.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

what the hell are you on ? i have the same right to post as any other CF member , if you don't like it report it or go and play somewhere else ,you might find the bnp site better suits your point of view

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Calm down keyboard warrior. No one is saying you have no right to post, but maybe if you posted opinions that were relative to the title, ( Post office's foreign language 'ban') Then you would most probably get a better response.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

"pointing and gesturing usually surf-ices ,no i think this is just plain rude."
i think that counts as an opinion --

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Sounds like common sense to me.

Perhaps local government could save a few hundred thousand a year by not having to print everything in 15 other bloody langauages too.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

It is no secret we have many people living in this country that cannot speak english or will not. Having attended a training centre that had what was called an esol department specifically to help non english speakers learn english and the service hardly being used in a community that had a high proportion of non english speakers it is obvious to me some people will have to be forced to learn the main language of this country.

This is not to say they cannot ever again speak their native language but it isn't unreasonable to expect any long term resident of this country to learn to speak english. Apart from everything else if we can achieve that we will take a little piece of ammunition from such despicable groups as the bnp. Also this policy must take into account those vulnerables in our society who for whatever reason have speech impediments or other problems and must give due respect and facilities to those groups within our society.

It is all too easy these days to be called racist because you make a demand of minority groups but when it comes to learning english i don't see that as racist it is something that we will all benefit from no matter who we are and will only give positive benefits to those who do learn it living in the UK. It is not wrong to make such a basic request of any group of people that they learn the language of the country in which they live.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

If they don't speak enough English to be understood they should bring their own competant translator. The same goes for when they visit the DSS, Council, doctor, dentist, schools, etc.

Their lack of knowledge should not lay the financial burden for translation on the taxpayer as it often is.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

To give you an idea - we pay £95 per hour for a translator.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Think I need to brush up on my other languages and get into translation instead

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Try asking for a parcel to be sent first class recorded delivery by just pointing and gesturing

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

you would write it down in English simple ;)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Maybe this guy is just drumming up a bit of free publicity for his shop??

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I can undestand it though some years ago I used to be a butcher in a shop in the middle of Coventry city centre.The time you had to say pardon and I do not understand remind me of calling VM tech support

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

All those Eastern Europeans, coming over here working, can't even speak English - what do they expect?

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I for one, totally agree with the postmaster, and l will tell you why, If you go into a shop, and you cannot understand what the person wants, you cannot serve him, there is no hint of racism, whatseoever, and although the Royal Mail, have said they serve everyone, this is not the case.
It doesn't matter who they are, black blue, green, if they cannot speak properly, they cannot be served.

The only problem , i this will bring up, is all the normal crap, you get racism, and all this, Here is an Asian speaking his mind and running a business, someone brough up if the person was WHITE he would get arrested, total crap again, we are entitled to free speech, also to run a business, the guy has made a decision, that is the end of it, simple, you cannot speak English, l can't understand, l cannot serve you.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I think it is important that this is kept in context this is a guy who lives here made the effort to learn the english language and is purely saying if he can do it they can which i think is perfectly acceptable. Personally i am happy to see this guy stand up and be firm on this it is the best smack in the face that groups like the bnp will ever get. Integration not seperation is what we all want in this country and being able to speak english will be more beneficial to those who can't at the moment then i think they realise and will certainly make the whole question of immigration a little easier if the vast majority are seen to be making this one effort.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

He was actually fluent before he came here. But i do think he's making valid points, its hard to deal with people if there is a language barrier and if they choose to come to this country, then the least they should do is learn enough English IMO.

I've often thought about moving to Spain and would only do this if i knew enough of the lingo to get by, i also think its a showing a level of respect to the country who are accepting you into their culture. Thats not to say you should forget your roots though.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

<snicker snicker>
ThisIsNottingham

"Mr Kumarasiri, a Liberal Democrat member of Gedling Borough Council"

Shurely not! ;)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

i don't think we have enough houses here for that.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

A lot of assumptions being made here, as nothing in the story mentions race, creed, or religion - how do we know it is not Eastern Europeans (who, btw Arthur, are "WHITE") he is having problems with? ;)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

With all due respect- I think this chap should get his own house in order before dictating the use of english in his shop.

A cursory perusal of his fantastic website is evidence that he himself could be doing with brushing up on the use of the old lingo before leaving himself open to ridicule.

"For an example did the voters who voted for Labour Party ever thought that the government will go for War against Iraq or pay billions of taxpayers’ money to Banks who mismanaged depositors’ money"

etc, etc ad infinitum.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

"When in Rome"

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I think that the postmaster has said what a lot of us feel. If you go to a foreign country or live in a foreign country, at least try and make the effort to speak the lanquage! I stand on his side in this.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Crucify heretics, keep slaves, invade other countries and build an empire?

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Good on him!!!
It's about time people who come here and can't be a@@ed to learn the language or try to fit in have a bit of a hard ride.I'm sick of this country bending over backwards for bloody immigrants.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I hope all our posters practice what they preach next time they go abroad to Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, etc, etc....;)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I agree, if I was going to live in Greece or Finland or any country whose first language wasn't english, I'd learn enough to be able to communicate what I need, when I need it.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

hope he learns welsh before coming to Wales ;) lol

though i agree people coming to live here should learn the language i cant see this is a good idea and most likely is illegal any how

imagine the problems if the Spanish / French etc refused to serve any one there who couldnt speak the lingo

( speaking loud and slowly dont count ;) )

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

When you made this comment and even quoted someone there was no mention of "everything" cited above. You may as well have quoted an advert on television such as heinz beans and then made some comments about the weather. If you're going to quote someone please make any comments relevant. I am easily confused ;)

Is the Spanish / French bit sarcasm? To be clear....

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

me sarcastic :angel:

thats a yes ;)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Personally I think the guy has a valid point, if your prepared to uproot and live in a foreign country I'd say its downright imperative that you learn the national language, however are you going to integrate and prosper if you don't?
Just as a side note whats the betting that this guy will be championed in the Daily Mail sometime this week, held up as the perfect immigrant so as they can feature all the ones they don't like.:D:

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

erm, the link in the Original Post.....

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Wonder how the Mail will word it as he is politically not to the right of Ghenghis Khan :erm:

Perhaps the Post Office will now insist counter staff are at least bi-lingual :dozey:

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

i agree anyone living here should learn the language i just dont think the post office counter is the place to enforce or oversee this ;)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...re/7956570.stm

Not really a surprise.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

The truth of the matter is simply this, This country is to damn soft on everything, if we sneeze someone gets offended by it, we have a postmaster, who is quite within his rights, to not serve someone, as he cannot understand them. If you go into a foriegn shop and ask for something, and they can't understand what you are saying, what do you do, go somewhere else, here wwe have an Asian guy, who is saying what everyone else is saying, if you want to live in this country, learn to speak English, simple as that. Good on yer mate.

If we go to a foreign land, and you can't understand the lingo, what do you do, go and learn it.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

How is your mastery of foreign languages, Arthur?

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I have just read the article, where the postmaster, has now left his job, The Royal Mail and all the people who took offence at his stance, are totally bang out of order, This is a disgraceful act, and goes to show that, this damn country won't stand up for there rights.

---------- Post added at 15:01 ---------- Previous post was at 15:00 ----------

I suppose Foreverwar, you will allow people to walk over you then;)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

No, Arthur, I try to understand them, and not react in a "knee-jerk" fashion that caters to prejudices. I actually think that people who live in this country should learn the language, but I am not proscriptive about it - when I lived in Germany, and worked in France, I tried to speak in the local language - then the locals would carry on the conversation in English :erm:

So, back to my question - have you been abroad, and if so, did you speak the local language when you were there? Or did you just speak English slowly and loudly?;)

btw, from the latest BBC article "There were also reports that Polish migrants had been boycotting the branch."
and
"Mr Kumarasiri had told the BBC he had turned away about six customers who had wasted his time and annoyed other customers by not being able to understand English."

Oooh, sounds like a bit of a publicity stunt to me, don't you think.

And an apposite quote (imho) from the local paper
"We have been there for nearly 10 years trying to build up the business.
"It doesn't matter about race or language - if we can help people out then we will."

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Post Offices are shutting down left right and center, which is a great shame.
You would of thought that the gentleman in question realised that his position in his post offfice is to serve the general public.
He is not allowed to pick who he wishes to serve, he supplies a service which ALL are intitled to recieve.

I understand fully his frustration at dealing with customers who do not speak the same language as him, and therefore holding up his queue, but surely by making such a stand he must of realised it would have consequences to him?

This type of stance however only fuels a fire about ill tolerence of others that already exists!

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

We have to have a serious look at the whole package, but you cannot win, no matter what you do or say.

I have been to Spain, France and Florida and the hardest place to go to understand a language to me is Scotland, the further North you go, the accent is harder to understand, I am married to a Scot, Also Irish accent is also hard to understand, and this is NOTHING against either accent, If people come to England, they should try and learn the language, We have a large amount of foriegn people come here, and you cannot understand them, if you go into various shops, the language they speak is there native tongue, so what do we do complain, we can't, they can if we complain, so therefore you have a draw a line, the sacking, l believe he was given no choice, was bang out of order, what it has done is open a channel for all thiese foriegn groups to complain, it is like today, a well known group was saying if WE don't like it, then WE should leave Britain, so you can't win.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

It should be a cast iron requirement for entry into the UK for anything more then holidays that the person is conversant in english and if not fully gives an obligation to further their language skills many countries do it so should we it is only fair.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Hi RizzyKing, Thats a good idea, but someone would complain about it, this is what l am saying, whatever we say or do, someone will come along and say, that is wrong, we should be allowed to move freely.

I will always maintain, that is what is wrong with this country, We cannot say anything, as someone will complain, you only have to look at what happened to the postmaster, l think it is totally out of order.

You must rememeber, we have to abide with what other say, this used to be a country that was ' free speech ' we CANNOT SAY THAT NOW.:)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

This outcome was always going to happen. His ethnicity and political affiliation just bought him some time. If he were white, he'd would have been dismissed on the spot.

Still, hope he joins my local post office. The staff can't speak english, let alone the customers.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Hi Punky, I think your comment, sums it up - l like it, I was once in a post office, and l was standing in the queue, and these foreign people were in front of me, and speaking there lingo, And when l got to the glass, the postmaster said too me, ' they were talking about you, they didn't like the deodrant you were wearing' and he just laughed.

This is what we are up against, they talk about us, in a bad way, but we have to keep our mouth shut.:)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Well maybe I should've been a seer;) true to form the Daily Hate have today printed a double page spread featuring the defiant post-master, amongst claims for him to be sacked by "local Muslims".
All we need now is for Littlebrain to pick up on it...I doubt it'll be long.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

@ArthurGray50

You didn't actually respond to more than 1 prompt similar to the below, which I would like to see?

Your response was:
Since you have been to Spain and France how is your grasp on these languages? I ask as this is central to your argument.

Yes they talk about us, you talk about them in a Forum so it hardly keeping your mouth shut (except that you are typing....). They were not speaking to you but about you and they are perfectly entitled to use their own language. Since you didn't know these people nor their status they could have been tourists and not suceptible to your rules of learning the lingo they simply need to speak their own language slowly and loudly surely?

P.S. Have you changed you deodorant? :p:

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I say send them all back home lol, but really fair lay to the guy, atleast he had morals unlike some of people.

Rule should be you Live in England you speak English simple.

*waits to be called racist*

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Simple rule for a simple person.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Will there be an exemption for the Liverpuddlians?

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

:confused:

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Not racist. Another dent to civil liberty... yes

If we make legal rules like this it is absurd. We should be able to refuse service if the other person cannot be understood after a reasonable length of time and would also depend upon the circumstance.

Since all we have to go on is reports so far, we are not necessarily seeing the whole truth of it. It is possible that he was simply being prejudice based upon his learnig the lingo vs other not.

It reasonable to expect someone that chooses to live here to learn our language, but I wouldn't force the said person. Surely by not they are just making life harder for themselves and eventually conclude it is in their own best interest?

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Twas a joke. You lot can be a bit hard to follow to my non-native ears (as well as many native ears, so I've been told).

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I'm not strictly an inner city scouser, so my accent isn't as strong - but you might just find this of use to get by http://scousedictionary.blogspot.com/ :p:

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

It's ok. I've got a copy of this:

http://shop.fact.co.uk/shopimages/pr...f-scouse-3.jpg

:D

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

pure genius, doesn't that sort of prove the point :)

Given the size our our country are we alone in the sheer diversity of our accents within fairly close proximity? Close proximity being defined at less than 100 miles or if you wish kilometers (yes I know the latter is much shorter distance but it still holds true).

e.g. North of Wales isn't al that far from Liverpool
Birmingham
Nottingham
Newcastle (where I hail from though dont have the accent)
Devon
Cornwall
Edinburgh
Glasgow

etc.

All vastly different accents and in a country no more than 700 miles in length. Yet most above are in England no more than about 400 miles ish.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Not really. I'm Dutch, and I can tell the difference between people from Amsterdam, Leiden, The Hague and Rotterdam. Four cities with distinctly different accents that lie on a straight line with Amsterdam and Rotterdam being furthest apart. A whopping 60 miles (100 km in real money) between Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Thanks I always wondered... I'll PM if I have anything else I'm sure I have.

:D

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

One rather worrying bit of information about this guy is that he classes Jeremy Clarkson and James Whale as people he admires...even the DM were a bit concerned when he said he liked Clarkson's views on the environment, ooo-eerrr :)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

If I were to move & live in a country that didn't use English as a first language I would make sure that I and my family who came with me learnt the language. I understand and can speak a little Spanish & French and a smattering of Turkish as well and these are countries I holiday in, just imagine how fluent I would be if I lived there.
Its not about people visiting for a couple of weeks and not learning English, its those that come over here to live use and abuse our country and refuse to learn to speak English.

---------- Post added at 06:10 ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 ----------

You know the saying, but just to make it a little clearer for you just in case. When you live in a country that uses another language it is respectful and polite to learn that language, the same goes for the customs of that country.

---------- Post added at 06:15 ---------- Previous post was at 06:10 ----------

Totally agree with that. Its a shame that some other people really dont give a dam what language is spoken here in the UK.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Rizzy, I agree - when I lived in Berlin, I learned German (didn't get much of a chance to use it, as 99.99% of Westies spoke English fluently).

When I go on holiday I take a phrase book (I have German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Greek on my bookcase behind me, along with German, French, Spanish, and Portuguese dictionaries) - however, it's about customer service; if I couldn't get the appropriate phrase out, I would hope the person behind the counter would try and help, and not tell me to beggar off as I wasn't fluent.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Nobody is saying that people coming to the UK for a holiday have to learn english but only those that are coming here to live and work and in that context it is not unreasonable to expect them to learn the language. I personally see it as a measure of respect for the country you plan to live in and if i were to move to another country i would not do so until i had taken a course here and continued it in whatever country it is a measure of respect that you show to that country for them allowing you to live there.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Will that help the point made in the OP - queues in the Post Office?

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I have read various comments on this thread, concerning the lanuage we speak. When l went to school, we were taught two languages French and German.

Over the years, we had immagrants come to this country ie Indians, Pakistanis, and Asians, we worked together and got on with each other, every employment you worked in, you would be working together, and got on very well with each other, l worked for a cleaning company, and we had several migrants working with us, and we all got on very well, Then all of a sudden we get a lot more of different nationalities coming in, and everything has gone bonkers.

We now have to ' agree ' to accept various cultures, such as we do, but now, it is getting out of control, We have a postmaster, who has now been sacked, and evenm thrown out of his Lib Dem party for saying what everyone else is saying, if you come to England or the UK, you must try and learn the language, but things have taken a turn for the worse, and ceratin peaople have taken offence too it.

IF we go to there country, we should try to learn there language, to get on

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Arf, arf, arfur - you so funny!

"Indians, Pakistanis, and Asians".......:rofl:

btw (he says in his best Jeremy Paxman impression), you still haven't answered my earlier question, Minister - when you went abroad (not counting Florida), did you speak the local language in the shops and bars?

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Speaking personally, when I went to france, I spoke french where possible, Germany I spoke german, When I am in an italian restaurant which is italian staffed, I speak italian.

It's courtesy (I used the restaurant as I have yet to visit italy).

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Foreverwar, why do you keep picking faults in everything l say, I have over the years worked with various workers from different races, and have got on very well with them, but l am not prepared to let them walk all over me, l am entitled to my view, l do not not offend anyone, and l will work with anyone, no matter what colour they are.

The UK has a great system, ' freedom of speech', but we appear to be a society, that we are being dictated to by a certain section of society that has come to this country, that we welcome with open arms, they use our benefit system as though it is a bottomless pit, use our housing system, and our NHS service, as though is is open house. and yet we are told to either like it or move out of the UK, l love this country and for what it stands for, but we have to draw the line, at the stupidy of what is happening now.:)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Lets all remember that this isn't just about us but also the elderly, alot will find it extremely hard if not impossible to learn a new language. We don't actually know who the guy refused to serve.

---------- Post added at 19:22 ---------- Previous post was at 19:20 ----------

foreverwar is pointing out what you just said, i don't think you've got it so i'll explain.

"Indians, Pakistanis, and Asians"

indians and pakistanis are asians. so you could have just said asians instead of splitting them from the group.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Arthur, India and Pakistan are in Asia - your statement was tautological.

btw, still not answering my question, are you, you naughty question-evading person, you? How is your Spanish? ;)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

I cannot speak spanish, l speak ENGLISH, :) the nearest to spanish l speak, is ' papa voir ':D

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

We are all pussycats here(no pun intended), we let these so called "endangered at home" people come to our shores.
The VERY least they can/will have to, do is learn the god dang language.
If not, show these idiots the door, simple as that.

---------- Post added at 20:45 ---------- Previous post was at 20:44 ----------

But you live in England and you speak "English", so all is good.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

how dare you say that about my mother ;)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Can l go and shoot myself.

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

not in the post office ,the ques long enough as it is:)


please por favor porfa'βor (pore faah-VORE)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

But Arthur - what do you do when you want to send a postcard to your friends in London when you are on holiday in Spain - how will you buy "la estampilla" in the Post Office?

Here, let me help you, in case some nasty Correos official won't serve you because you can't speak his language -
¿Dónde está la oficina de correo?

and when you get there -

¿Tiene usted tarjeta postal?

I bet right now, there is some Spanish forum, with someone (perhaps called ArturoGrisCincuenta@blu) complaining he had to queue behind some foreigner who couldn't speak Spanish) ;)

btw "papa voir" - the nearest thing this makes any sense in a foreign language is "dad sees (in the wrong conjugation)" - your linguistic talents are obviously only exceeded by your open-mindedness.;)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

Quite. (sic)

Re: Post office's foreign language 'ban'
 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle2342583.ece

A SRI Lankan-born postmaster who refused to serve customers who could not speak English has been sacked.


he wont be so quick to judge next time