tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post1140759279996735698..comments2023-09-29T06:09:21.089-04:00Comments on Ask a Manager: when customers speak to each other in a foreign languageAsk a Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05281942480230532899noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-9864820218207873702010-09-10T02:05:28.399-04:002010-09-10T02:05:28.399-04:00I'm a manager in a medium-sized architectural ...I'm a manager in a medium-sized architectural business and a foreigner in an English speaking country. My partner and many friends are my fellow countrymen/women and although I can speak good English and use it everyday at work there are some exceptions like e.g. when my husband calls me on my cell (yes, I do leave the room but that's just a natural thing to do when on any call anyway), when we're discussing personal issues or when shopping in the company of purely non-English mates. In such situations I don't feel obliged to speak English, even if there are English people present and immediately switch to my native language.<br /><br />Of course the situation is different when a) our English friends are involved in the conversation, b) business matters are being covered or c) when the subject of the conversation involves in any way the English-speakers present.<br /><br />In my opinion, although we all speak English, it still is more natural to communicate in our native language when we are in our own company - and with all due respect, a shopping assistant is rarely considered part of the company...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-31011021298867129902010-09-02T21:54:51.778-04:002010-09-02T21:54:51.778-04:00@12:33--You are wrong. What the comments here cle...@12:33--You are wrong. What the comments here clearly demonstrate is that people can have the same work experience and yet still have different ideas. <br /><br />It's childish to simply discard other people's opinions simply because you don't like what they have to say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-62410087897395734192010-09-01T21:10:38.704-04:002010-09-01T21:10:38.704-04:00@Class Factotum,
I was in South America with some...@Class Factotum,<br /><br />I was in South America with someone who is utterly British in every respect, except she grew up in Buenos Aires and speaks perfect Spanish. Same thing happened, except it was two girls talking about stealing our purses. Boy did they run fast.<br /><br />I'd just like to remark one thing though. My grandparents all emigrated to the USA. All of them, once they hit Ellis Island stopped speaking their native language and only spoke English. I asked them about it once. They said that they felt they had a new country and a new language and that was it. (Although my one grandfather swore long in German when a bird pooped on his Sunday suit but I guess that is another story.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-32377410578485929522010-09-01T18:03:42.238-04:002010-09-01T18:03:42.238-04:00I agree with Karen, the customers are being a bit ...I agree with Karen, the customers are being a bit rude. If I'm in a group and will be using a language that not all members of the group understand, I will utter some version of "Exuse me" to ease their discomfort. It's just good manners.<br /><br />On the other hand, the customer is always right, so one has to live with their rudeness as long as it's not over the top.<br /><br />DanDanRuizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11233721847367736146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-56805544617248166882010-09-01T08:09:31.099-04:002010-09-01T08:09:31.099-04:00I guess I just don't see why this specific pro...I guess I just don't see why this specific problem is really different from any other customer service issue -- if a customer were ignoring you, on the phone, letting children run amuck, or simply being an outright jerk (in English or any other language). <br /><br />Or, if the customer is being nice and polite but doesn't speak much English, or they have a disability that makes it difficult for them to speak at all, etc. <br /><br />Yes, all these situations make your job harder and more annoying, and yes, people ought to behave themselves, but you can't tell the customer what to do or treat them differently from any other customer just because they're being annoying. You follow your store's customer service protocol. If things get out of hand, you call your manager. If things get threatening or illegal, you call security or the cops. <br /><br />I spent 14 years in retail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-27742339136587556822010-09-01T00:07:58.992-04:002010-09-01T00:07:58.992-04:00Perhaps you should take the time to learn to speak...Perhaps you should take the time to learn to speak some words in "their" language - like Good Morning/Afternoon, Hello, How can I help you, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-45122092649194862842010-08-31T22:57:36.844-04:002010-08-31T22:57:36.844-04:00AAM: Exactly - my explanation above includes perfe...AAM: Exactly - my explanation above includes perfectly legitimate reasons to feel exasperated by a repeated behavior from a customer. I didn't see it as a sense of entitlement, but of being genuinely frustrated and not sure how to actually solve or address the issue in a productive way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-3655170876351107852010-08-31T12:41:14.595-04:002010-08-31T12:41:14.595-04:00Anonymous 12:33, I think those are certainly reaso...Anonymous 12:33, I think those are certainly reasonable points, but the OP was saying she thought the customers were rude and clearly sounded exasperated with them, which is a different issue than the ones you're raising.<br /><br />I think a lot of people were responding to what came across in her letter as a sense of entitlement to be comfortable at the expense of her customers, who were doing a perfectly reasonable thing.Ask a Managerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05281942480230532899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-90018065889482977972010-08-31T12:33:48.220-04:002010-08-31T12:33:48.220-04:00From reading the responses, it's very easy to ...From reading the responses, it's very easy to tell who has never worked in sales or a retail job for an extended period of time. Thanks to the few people who gave the OP the benefit of the doubt vs rushing to label him/her insensitive or paranoid. <br /><br />Hardly any sales training out there allows you to ignore the customer and leave them to their own devices for longer than a few minutes. I can't tell you how many managers, supervisors, corporate training guides etc specifically instruct you to not only ask questions, but to listen for feedback in order to help the customer (not necessarily upselling, but generally sizing, color, or availability issues) make the best choice for them.<br /><br />If you truly care about service, yes it's annoying when the customer excludes you repeatedly - because first of all it's keeping you from doing parts of your job, and secondly even if you're okay with giving them some space, your management chain may not be - and *they're* the ones that control whether you have a job , how many hours you get, and whether you get that raise. I won't even get into how demeaning and dismissive it can feel over and over and over again.<br /><br />And no, not all people are able or comfortable asking for help if they need it. Some people are shy or have social anxiety, some are inexperienced and unsure exactly what to ask or how they need help. Further, my job as a sales rep is to communication information they may not realize they need. Such as "that skirt tends to stretch/shrink over time. You'll want a smaller/larger size" - but I can't offer that information if I don't understand that they're discussing size in the first place.<br /><br />When the customer has a bad experience later because you couldn't interject with relevant information - it becomes an overall level of service issue. It can be very tough to strike that miracle balance with each and every customer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-46547392447497861792010-08-31T12:11:46.773-04:002010-08-31T12:11:46.773-04:00@Sue and Anonymous 9:56: Learning languages isn...@Sue and Anonymous 9:56: Learning languages isn't free. Even a community college is going to charge about $300 for ONE course, and if you want to become fluent in any reasonable length of time (which is highly unlikely to happen in less than a year at the quickest), s/he's going to need to pay for private tutoring/conversation classes. Tutors are usually around $20/hr. That's probably more than the OP makes.<br /><br />Are you really suggesting that a salesperson (who might be at Macy's for all we know and making $9 an hour) should pay to learn a language they don't have any other use for than to cater to the occasional conversation in the store? And which language is s/he supposed to take? Spanish? French? Swahili? All of them?<br /><br />The customer isn't being any less rude than the ones who chat on their phones but then get pissy when the salesperson steps away to help someone else who's signaling that they actually need assistance. Sometimes people like to go online and ask things anonymously because their manager is an ass or they're afraid to bring it up.<br /><br />Meanwhile, now that AAM has enlightened the OP as to how rude s/he's being to the people who pay his/her salary...let's all pick up a copy of the new ebook.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-70954669611075508522010-08-31T09:56:28.155-04:002010-08-31T09:56:28.155-04:00The politically correct answer: With paying custom...The politically correct answer: With paying customers the only language is green. <br /><br />Unfortunately, I've seen many people use another language not to be coy or respectful to their guests, but to talk trash.<br /><br />The not so PC answer: You'll have to learn a language to get this done properly. When they switch languages, if you feel invited to join in, follow suit. <br /><br />If you don't get the included vibe and you sense the customer is looking for a little privacy, you do the same thing you normally would - give them space. <br /><br />I'd give no clue you understand what's being said until they say something hideous, destructive, terribly rude or ignorant. Then I'd ask in their language if that will be cash or credit. The shame alone results in 1 purchase so you better decide upfront if you can live without them coming back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-54849812070628547792010-08-31T09:48:37.092-04:002010-08-31T09:48:37.092-04:00I think most of the comments are pretty on point h...I think most of the comments are pretty on point here. <br /><br />Good customer service (and sales!)involves giving your customers the appropriate amount of space to consider their purchase, look around, get comfortable, try it on, think about how they'll use it at home, whatever it is that applies to what you sell. It sounds like the OP isn't being sensitive to thier client's comfort.<br /><br />Think about all those stores you walk into where the sales people are on top of you from the moment you walk in, listening to your conversation with your friend about how your husband might like this dress. Its really uncomfortable, I don't stay in those places long. I would LOVE to be able to have a semi-private conversation by switching to another language with my shopping companion, would create a nice barrier and hinder the eavesdropping salespeople.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-5076579185040425672010-08-31T09:13:19.384-04:002010-08-31T09:13:19.384-04:00Slightly off topic but good to know: A friend was ...Slightly off topic but good to know: A friend was conducting a training session in Florida. My friend, who looks as gringo as they come, speaks Spanish fluently. During a break, two of the trainees remained in the room with my friend. They started speaking Spanish to each other, trashing their boss. <br /><br />My friend, after a few minutes, said to them in Spanish, "You need to be careful. You never know who might speak Spanish."<br /><br />The blood drained from the trainees' faces. They begged my friend not to say anything to their boss. She didn't, of course, but those women are probably a lot more careful now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-25980682228074995102010-08-31T00:05:45.081-04:002010-08-31T00:05:45.081-04:00My parents can speak, write and read English (well...My parents can speak, write and read English (well enough that they have government jobs) but when they talk to each other or to me or my sister, it's in Mandarin Chinese or Taiwanese. It takes them time to think of how to say something grammatically correct and it's not worth the hassle for them (if we're just shopping or something). <br /><br />We've been in stores where my mom will say something to us in Mandarin or Chinese and the cashier or clerk will say "excuse me?". Usually my mom is just asking if we have an extra dollar or a penny. I think some clerks/cashiers think that we are talking about them, but we're not. If we wanted to make snide comments about you, we could wait until we left the store, we wouldn't have to do it in front of you!<br /><br />That's the general feeling I get from people who complain about others speaking a different language in front of them. They (the offended) think that the others are talking about them. Well, guess what? They might be, they might not be! Life is too short to care what other people are saying about you. I grew up in a multilingual family, most of the people I see at work are non-native English speakers, and I don't even bat an eye when people start talking in a different language in front of me. I try to guess what they are discussing!<br /><br />The only thing that I can think of is if the OP is required to stand there and service the customer. I know some people are offended if the store clerks don't personally assist them (they feel snubbed). Maybe this is one of those stores/situations? If that were the case, though, I would imagine the customer is king and therefore can speak in whatever language they want.Lolanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-80105171102224496432010-08-30T23:45:13.774-04:002010-08-30T23:45:13.774-04:00@Karen
I agree with you there: it's absolutel...@Karen<br /><br />I agree with you there: it's absolutely rude to simply ignore a person that is clearly trying to assist you. And if the clerk has to stand there, it seems appropriate that the customers would either let him/her know if they need help or that they're going to browse by themselves.<br /><br />As you implied, this must depend on the shop. Some stores are more for browsing independently, and some fancier stores seem to require that clerks keep a close eye on consumers. In the case of the latter, I would agree that it's polite to keep the clerk in the conversational loop, so to speak. <br /><br />I guess I just felt the need to defend my grandparents, who can sound like they're fluent in English, but who I know struggle a lot with understanding it.jmkenricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-44231601192436580912010-08-30T23:02:09.904-04:002010-08-30T23:02:09.904-04:00" I find myself mostly frustrated that I cann..." I find myself mostly frustrated that I cannot help our customer to the best of my ability because I don’t understand their language."<br /><br />So basically, OP wants to eavesdrop on customer conversations so they can upsell the customer. Well, that's not a good sales approach. Truthfully a good salesperson could tell by their body language whether or not they like something or are looking for something or need help in some way.<br /><br />Common etiquette says you should not speak in a language another person doesn't understand. But that applies to people in your group, not to eavesdroppers or sales staff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-81101180143751252942010-08-30T21:25:28.778-04:002010-08-30T21:25:28.778-04:00The well being of your feelings is NOT your custom...The well being of your feelings is NOT your customers' priority. Quite the opposite, their ability to speak to each other in whatever language that makes them feel comfortable without feeling being judged or unwelcomed IS your priority. (From what you wrote, I find it hard to believe that you never let your irritation show.) <br /><br />Plenty of people, myself included, who work in international markets learn other languages so we can do our jobs better. If your issue is really you cannot help your customers at the best of your ability, time to learn some new languages!Suenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-10814541471388166622010-08-30T20:49:56.183-04:002010-08-30T20:49:56.183-04:00Imagine if YOU were in, say, Italy with a group of...Imagine if YOU were in, say, Italy with a group of your friends buying shoes in a shop. If you were to ask your friend if the shoes looked nice, wouldn't your instinct be to ask your friend in your native language and not your second one? It's what feels more comfortable to you and is simpler for you to communicate to eachother.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-72665056060396752752010-08-30T20:12:47.841-04:002010-08-30T20:12:47.841-04:00@jmkenrick
Thanks for your comment...I understand...@jmkenrick<br /><br />Thanks for your comment...I understand where you are coming from completely. I think what I take the most issue with is that the OP seems to have to keep standing there while a conversation goes on that she/he can neither contribute to nor use to improve the way she/he assists the customer (I'm not sure what the service expectation is at their place of work, but I'm going to try and assume here). <br /><br />Again, it would be very similar to being expected to stand there while someone talks on their cell phone. Whatever the person is discussing with the person on the other line isn't helping the salesperson assist them, so basically they have to stand there and awkwardly do nothing.<br /><br />This would be different if, at relatively frequent intervals during the conversation, the stronger English speaker tried to include the salesperson in the dialogue, or at least pass along the other person's concerns or questions. To carry on a several minute conversation and get irritated when the salesperson moves along to a customer that he can be more of use to isn't acceptable.<br /><br />I also get the comments made by many of you regarding paranoia about being "talked about." I agree that that is silly and wouldn't be a valid concern on the part of the salesperson.Karennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-49848049688806911162010-08-30T19:57:18.036-04:002010-08-30T19:57:18.036-04:00I speak a foreign language and I do that with my f...I speak a foreign language and I do that with my family members sometimes when I'm our shopping not to be rude, but because it is easier to converse like that. I wouldn't take it offensively if someone is doing that in front of you. They are customers. I would probably agree with the OP if it was your employees who do that but that is not the case.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-59920952556457087162010-08-30T19:34:04.008-04:002010-08-30T19:34:04.008-04:00I'm guilty of speaking English with a friend i...I'm guilty of speaking English with a friend in stores in foreign countries. I didn't know a word (except maybe a few small polite sayings like "please," "thank you," and "do you speak English"). I was oblivious to the store clerks reactions, but at the same time, I think they more than likely understood me. English, being universal, was spoken to me by a few people when approached so I didn't have to ask "Do you speak English?" You know how others act when you are put in their shoes.<br /><br />In this country, we are not used to foreign languages despite our nation's history. We speak English and expect others to follow suit. While I think English should be declared the national language of the U.S.A., I don't think it should discourage us from studying and becoming fluent in another language or two. We should have an appreciation for other languages instead of jumping down others' throats because we think they are talking about us.<br /><br />And OP, you don't understand other languages and neither your own. People have a way with their first language that they can rarely ever develop with their second. So while you may be offended that the woman turns to her friend to speak in a different language, just remember that maybe she just knows how to phrase it better in that language; more than likely, they aren't talking about you. Instead grow an interest in other languages and you'll appreciate hearing them a little more.<br /><br />Meanwhile, work on doing great customer service.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-91638934546521192942010-08-30T19:23:28.651-04:002010-08-30T19:23:28.651-04:00We are operating in global village were all langua...We are operating in global village were all languages must be tolerated. When this behaviour is exhibited in a work team, then it is wrong because it could undermine teamwork. However when a customer does it in front of a sales person, I personally do not see anything wrong. Take a quick read at Workplace Multilingualism that provides a comprehensive review on how to respond to these scenarios http://EzineArticles.com/?id=4900988<br />The customer is “king” at any point of a sale transaction and the sales person must just look on for their decision and may participate through non –verbal welcoming signs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-9350626536868143702010-08-30T19:01:19.520-04:002010-08-30T19:01:19.520-04:00This person must be insecure to worry that the cus...This person must be insecure to worry that the customers don't have enough self knowledge to ASK when they need help. When the customers are speaking in their own language that is their business. If they want to criticize the product in their own language that is their choice. As an English only speaker I might have to leave the store to criticize a product to my friend before possibly coming back in to buy it. These patrons can stay in the store and are possibly more likely to complete a sale because of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-12140129020139860252010-08-30T18:31:42.819-04:002010-08-30T18:31:42.819-04:00Anonymous, if you can't look up to anyone who ...Anonymous, if you can't look up to anyone who is snarky, I agree that I will not meet your expectations!Ask a Managerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05281942480230532899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-12084949855387614852010-08-30T18:26:27.647-04:002010-08-30T18:26:27.647-04:00Mary Sue is on point with her commentary!Mary Sue is on point with her commentary!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com