Post office's foreign language 'ban'

[superbiatch]

Originally Posted by Taf

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.

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

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by superbiatch

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

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

[v0id]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

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

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

you would write it down in English simple

[lucy7]

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

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

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

[Arthurgray50@blu]

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.

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.

[superbiatch]

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

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.

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.

<snicker snicker>
ThisIsNottingham

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

Shurely not!

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by Taf

If they don't speak enough English to be understood they should bring their own competant translator.

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

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

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.

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?

[Mr Angry]

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.

[alferret]

"When in Rome"