It's just that the race-make up of Singapore has it that the
majority are Chinese. Worse, see how you're treated at Swenson's or
Jack's Place when you try to order a steak but can't speak English.
You get scoffed at and there is really hardly scant regard for your
existence even when you flail your hands about madly trying to get
the waiters' attention. Being looked down upon is a feeling much
worse (and felt more keenly) than being answered in a different
language when I speak.
Ok, now the problem.
With the majority of the people in Singapore being Chinese
(supported by statistics), a substantial number of working
staff among the service crew in Singapore would obviously (or maybe
not that conspicuous to some) be Chinese. If we can tolerate
Indians from MaMa shops speaking in their tamil accent, then why
can't we just understand that some people can't pick up English as
quickly, or are just too used to speaking their own language. (We
have four national languages, right?) The more-highly-educated
bilinguists are more generally the office workers and those with
higher spending power, hence often the consumers (and the ones
complaining). And those who are less educated are left with jobs
(whichever you are referring to), so with the gap in education
qualifications, I am quite sure you wouldn't expect your kopitiam
Aunty (even in shopping malls) to speak fluently in English like an
expert linguist when you order your kopi or teh, right? We have to
give in to those who are not-as-well spoken.
If everyone were indeed able to speak fluent English, then I
guess Kopitiam Aunties would be left jobless. Because, those who
even manage to get an education are the young.
With English being the language of commerce (ignore the fact we
have four national languages now), most companies - MNCs or
well-established firms, that is - would certainly train their staff
to remain competitive, especially since people are already whining.
But don't anyone forget, such companies who are able to recruit
even foreign staff and send them for training and upgrading courses
are often the ones who are located in high-end stores of VivoCity
or Taka. The crowd they are essentially serving is different. So,
point is, you cannot compare subjects (or objects) which serve
varying crowds. Do the Kopitiam bosses or Small/Medium firm-owners
have the essential budget (even with the govt's help these days)
have the budget to recruit, train, and upgrade?
Unless you're the one who's going to volunteer as a sponsor, I
guess we have to tolerate whatever service we are entitled
to.
Besides, I don't order my Roti Prata in Chinese, and I have
almost no problems in communicating. I'm sure we're not turning
into a second China or anything, it's just the proportion of
different races in Singapore. You wouldn't expect a Tamil to speak
Chinese when learning English would do, and a China man would not
even want to learn English since Chinese is fine. See the
logic?
Nothing is wrong in the entire concept except the small
detail.
That detail is "Service".
I think you guys are shooting the wrong target.
The point from TS is "If
you can't, you wil get a glare or they might even refuse to serve
you."
