Can I request to speak to an English person?

Phate · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:26

I have to ring Lloyds TSB - I don't want to speak to someone who floated over on a door.

I have no problems with Indians, just ones handling my accounts that can't speak english.

So, when I ring them. Can I request to speak to an English person?

Thanks,
Jake

Voltar · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:27

No that's racist

MiNxYyY · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:28

I don't see why not. If they have english people there then im sure they wont mind.

TheMagicPirate · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:30

Yes of course you can.

I do it quite often. Not because I'm racist but because my broad geordie accent make its hard for English people to understand me, never-mind someone who doest speak english as a first language.

Voltar · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:30

MiNxYyY said:
I don't see why not. If they have english people there then im sure they wont mind.

But HOW would YOU feel if someone didn't want to speak to you just because they can't understand what your saying? So racist etc etc.

ok ok i'm being a bit facetious...

but it will probably be quite difficult to ask them and they might take it the wrong way. As a consumer it should be in your statutory rights as such

4T5 · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:31

I have done in the past & as long as you are polite it's not a problem. Personally I just explain to the English speaking person that I just couldn't understand the accent.

Every single person should do this.

Phate · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:33

Awesome

Here goes..

Morgoth · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:34

Phate said:
I don't want to speak to someone who floated over on a door.

Ahahaha.

TheCenturion · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:34

Phate said:
I have to ring Lloyds TSB - I don't want to speak to someone who floated over on a door.

I have no problems with Indians, just ones handling my accounts that can't speak english.

So, when I ring them. Can I request to speak to an English person?

Thanks,
Jake

Jake... What the hell? I helped you wire up all those pc's a few months ago!

muon · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:36

Phate said:
I have to ring Lloyds TSB - I don't want to speak to someone who floated over on a door.

I see no problem if there are communication problems. But with an attitude like that, I suspect there are other undertones to your request.

SB118 · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:36

Phate said:
I have to ring Lloyds TSB - I don't want to speak to someone who floated over on a door.

win \o/

Azagoth · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:36

Voltar said:
But HOW would YOU feel if someone didn't want to speak to you just because they can't understand what your saying? So racist etc etc.

Well, for a start I wouldn't take a job in a call-centre dealing in a language I don't understand and that I can't speak with any degree competence. So it's a moot point.

It's not racist in the slightest to request to deal with someone who has a basic grasp of the language you're dealing in, especially when it comes to something as important as banking details. Although I do get the impression that you're one of those people who get offended on other people's behalf.

4T5 · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:37

After being Completely polite during your call at the end just mention that you found it a tad awkward having to ask for an English speaking person, Then ask if they would mind mentioning it to somebody higher up/complaints etc

One day an English worker will Thank you. :cool:

I know I'll do it myself now.

Thanks Phate.

Voltar · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:39

Phate said:
I don't want to speak to someone who floated over on a door.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, just re-reading the thread.

Can't believe I missed that.

What did they say to you by the way?

strudey · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:39

Of course you can. You might offend someone by your wording, but that's all that's going to happen.

Why not just ask for someone who speaks with an english accent, or a more english accent or something? Same result, same effort, less chance of hurting somebody's feelings/****ing someone off. Or perhaps the heroic battle against political correctness is more important than how people feel?

Felix Da Housecat · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:40

Nein

Voltar · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:40

Azagoth said:
Well, for a start I wouldn't take a job in a call-centre dealing in a language I don't understand and that I can't speak with any degree competence. So it's a moot point.

It's not racist in the slightest to request to deal with someone who has a basic grasp of the language you're dealing in, especially when it comes to something as important as banking details. Although I do get the impression that you're one of those people who get offended on other people's behalf.

i was trolling, my apologies. It was mainly due to the Kinder people getting on high horses which irritated me a lot.

4T5 · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:41

strudey said:
Or perhaps the heroic battle against political correctness is more important than how people feel?

The New Holy War.

+

I'm prepared to Die for my cause, Are You ???

clv101 · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:41

Phate said:
I have to ring Lloyds TSB - I don't want to speak to someone who floated over on a door.

I have no problems with Indians, just ones handling my accounts that can't speak english.

So, when I ring them. Can I request to speak to an English person?

Thanks,
Jake

You can request whatever you want! It's up the the bank how they respond though.

SB118 · 23 Jul 2009 at 18:41

ghost101 said:
I see no problem if there are communication problems. But with an attitude like that, I suspect there are other undertones to your request.

What attitude? He wants to have his finances dealt with by somebody who can count in english, not a huge expectation is it?