M&S have dropped a clanger

Mynight · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:21

Only way I'd happily make these changes is to make it tit for tatt. Youre free to refuse to personally serve alcohol/pork if you allow your women to live by the rules of the uk.

mike.grayizzle · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:21

pioneer2000 said:
Yes, I would definitely like Italians and Chinese to speak English when in England. What's the problem with that? The language of the country is English.

Much like if I went to china, I would feel embarrassed and ignorant to be talking English.

Do you speak any other languages?

wndsr · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:22

pioneer2000 said:
Yes, I would definitely like Italians and Chinese to speak English when in England. What's the problem with that? The language of the country is English.

Much like if I went to china, I would feel embarrassed and ignorant to be talking English.

What is important is that people have a basic level of English to enable them to interact with you in the way that you need to. I'm sure the lady in my Chinese shop manages perfectly fine with her level of English.

It's not like you're going to have a full blown conversation with the bloke in your newsagents so don't let it bother you. You tell him what you want, he gives it to you and then you pay. Job done.

pioneer2000 · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:25

mike.grayizzle said:
Do you speak any other languages?

Conversational French and Spanish- specifically had lessons before going to Spain to ensure I could integrate.

mike.grayizzle · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:28

pioneer2000 said:
Conversational French and Spanish- specifically had lessons before going to Spain to ensure I could integrate.

Where you there for pleasure or work?

Mynight · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:29

Starting to sound like an immigration interview here

pioneer2000 · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:31

mike.grayizzle said:
Where you there for pleasure or work?

Pleasure. To see Spanish culture. I came, I saw, i followed their norms without wearing a bowler hat and speaking cockney. I went home, without opening a corner shop and begging for government handouts and seeking asylum.

Danthus · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:34

It won't be long before a Muslim complains that person x would not queue at my checkout.

LeeUK · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:36

This doesn't mean that all M&S muslim staff will refuse to serve you. Only the ones up themselves will. The ones that M&S are protecting themselves from a court case.

helpimcrap · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:36

Sounds a bit like if I refused to serve someone cigarettes because I don't smoke or believe people should.

Danthus · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:38

LeeUK said:
This doesn't mean that all M&S muslim staff will refuse to serve you. Only the ones up themselves will. The ones that M&S are protecting themselves from a court case.

So, I go to M&S, there is a woman wearing a Islamic headwear, do I risk offending her or go to another checkout?

mike.grayizzle · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:38

pioneer2000 said:
Pleasure. To see Spanish culture. I came, I saw, i followed their norms without wearing a bowler hat and speaking cockney. I went home, without opening a corner shop and begging for government handouts and seeking asylum.

Fair enough

helpimcrap · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:39

pioneer2000 said:
Conversational French and Spanish- specifically had lessons before going to Spain to ensure I could integrate.

On a side note - I completely agree with this statement.

I wouldn't be so ignorant as to ignore that fact I would have to adapt to a new culture rather than expect them to adapt to me.

Merlin5 · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:42

Mynight said:
Starting to sound like an immigration interview here

MooMoo444 · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:43

If you work on checkout your job is to scan my items and take my payment.

If someone refusing to do their job, surely that is grounds for gross misconduct, regardless of religion.

4p · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:45

Don't understand. They won't actually touch raw meat or flowing alcohol, it is in a package/bottle. Mad.

Merlin5 · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:46

MooMoo444 said:
If you work on checkout your job is to scan my items and take my payment.

If someone refusing to do their job, surely that is grounds for gross misconduct, regardless of religion.

Not if M&S have given them special dispensation.

Ryan-3 · 22 Dec 2013 at 18:46

OldCoals said:
So, would you support a policy whereby non muslims could refuse to handle halal products?

I wouldn't. Simply because I wouldn't implement any of the other stuff M&S have put forward.

I can see where the language complaints are coming from, but it is separate to religion. If I was moving to Germany, I'd bother to learn German first, or sie hatten kein wort verstanden, like many who come here and just think that as they're not understood, it's okay.

MadMouse101 · 22 Dec 2013 at 19:03

The non muslim staff at the check out will be working harder and the muslim working at a snail's pace. What about if you do on-line shopping and find out there is no alcohol or pork because a muslim was doing your shopping.

Mynight · 22 Dec 2013 at 19:05

MadMouse101 said:
The non muslim staff at the check out will be working harder and the muslim working at a snail's pace. .

How on earth do you work that one out?