|
Comment List
|
|
|
You know, it is OK to support multiple languages, but you are right, sometimes it goes to the point that it is no longer accomodating, but becomes a form of oppression all it's own.
We are not alone in this. In Germany, there is an enclave of Americans around Ramstein AFB. In a certain area, often called K-Town, the predominant language is English. You can even find some stores that do not have German signs or speak German! Strange, and hard to understand.
If your business in a predominately Korean neigborhood trying to accomodate only a certain clientele, I am OK with supporting only the one non-English language fully. If I have problems dealing with that, I'll go elsewhere. (if I can) On the other hand, big chains must always support English, and I have seen the trend away from that myself. For me, it was not a checkout lane, but a sales associate on the floor of such a big chain. I needed help finding something, and the language barrier (they spoke Spanish and only very broken English) made it impossible for them to help me. In the end, she and I were getting frustrated and voices were elevating. When I sought help from another associate, I was told that the person I was previously trying to get help from was the only one who could help me. It was her department. Needless to say, that is no longer my store!
I hope that this stupidity will kill itself if only by the number of businesses that go under when they continually abuse their mainstream customers in this way. Some businesses are smarter than others. Hopefully, this will sort itself by people like you and I no longer giving them our vote of confidence with our dollars, which are their lifeblood.
As a side note, this relates in my mind to that stupid trend to wish people 'Happy Holidays' around Christmas to the point of refusing to say anything else. I went to several stores and asked them if they could not do that and wish me a 'Merry Christmas' instead. I went through three that absolutely refused, even though I was requesting it, becasue they had some politically correct corporate policy that had been hammered into their head to the point of absolute insanity. I had a fairly full shopping cart each time, took a little time at the register (with other people behind me) to make my simple request politely plain. When they refused (and twice after ringing everything up), I left and refused to purchase the items. One actully threatened to call the police on me! I was half tempted to stick around and force them to do so, but was not in the mood to be that confrontational on the matter.
There is a point that each person will get to that will cause them to push back. On that item, they had passed my limit. Just remember where it hurts them the most: in their sales! Just don't buy from them. As an individual, you won't make much difference, but boycotts on tuna changed the fishing industry, and that was just a whole lot of individuals!
Be Blessed,
Mel
2006-06-16 12:50:43 Posted by Mel ()
|
|
You must be logged in to leave a comment.
|
|
|
