Let me share with you all, my experience. I am not against the
Chinese language, Mandarin, as I am a Chinese myself - but more
accurately a Teochew with a little mix of Portugese.
Some months ago, I made a phone call to one of the many auto
accessories shops in Singapore, and I enquired about the brands,
models, and prices of their car audio products. A girl on the other
end of the line asked me in Mandarin if I can speak Mandarin. I
replied in Mandarin that I can only speak a little, but am more
comfortable speaking English. She simply said that NOBODY there can
speak English, and suggested that I get someone who speaks Mandarin
to make the enquiry for me.
Tell me, is this customer service in Singapore, or China? Is this
customer service, or has the Speak Mandarin Campagne done more than
what it was expected to do?
I have experienced on many occasions, when I step into a shop, a
petrol kiosk, buying a movie ticket, and even at government
offices, that I am greeted and spoken to in Mandarin. Has the
standard medium of communication in Singapore for commerce business
and trade been changed to Mandarin instead of English?? Or was it
because out of convenience, the sales person, service provider, or
officer, speaks to me in Mandarin because he/she does not know how
to communicate in English?
Whatever the reason, I know that in the service industry, service
providers should never assume the customer prefers to speak
Mandarin. In fact, service providers are supposed to make customers
feel comfortable - by speaking whatever language the customer
prefers.
So now I see buses with large bold letters pasted on the rear ends
that shouts "Speak Good English". Where's the co-relation? I don't
see it!
It doesn't necessarily mean that when you are comfortable in
Mandarin, others around you should too.
