When calling my local chinese take away i have to explaiin to them many times my address and my order, so why don't they employ someone who understands the lingo, it is so annoying
2006-12-30 04:14:21 · 17 answers · asked by bty541233 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
They're usually sole proprietorships owned by a family who's doing their best to learn the language. I imagine it is annoying to have to repeat your order, but they probably can't afford to hire some American to answer phone calls when they can pay a family member cheaply. Not to mention that having an American on the phones means he wouldn't be able to tell the cooks in the back, some of whom probably speak even less English, what to cook.
Try to think of it as part of the charm of the experience instead of as a hassle. If that doesn't work, you can always consider changing Chinese take-out restaurants.
2006-12-30 04:19:37 · answer #1 · answered by magistra_linguae 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It adds to the authentic experience. Actually, most of the people taking your order understand and speak perfect English, but would you really be comfortable ordering Chinese take out from someone without a thick accent?
2006-12-30 04:50:16 · answer #2 · answered by SDTerp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in a town which has a large transient population of chinese.
These people tend to speak good english - they have come to town for their further education. They are friendly people who are eager to learn western culture.
The staff at our local chinese speak very good english and then write your order in chinese.
I wish I was half as good as them with a foreign language.
2006-12-30 05:02:33 · answer #3 · answered by David P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are being stereotypical!!! My family and I have worked in the business for many years and English is our first language so we all speak it well (and probably with better grammar and spelling than the average English GCSE student) ....well enough to amass 4 university degrees between us anyway.
2007-01-01 12:26:17 · answer #4 · answered by ladypeonie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's all about making you feel like you are really in China of course.
2006-12-30 04:21:50 · answer #5 · answered by Princess415 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because everyone that works for them is family.
They would have to pay someone who spoke english then their profit would be less.
2006-12-30 04:27:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
haha! they love keeping it in the family way, so to speak. i think its nice...but slightly annoying also, especially when you're hungry and frustrated with repeating your order.
2006-12-30 04:19:33 · answer #7 · answered by hana woo 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My usual takeaway must be unusual then, they have english girls working for them.. But do know what you mean though :o)
2006-12-30 04:20:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They can employ who they like but their food's good, isn't it?
2006-12-30 04:20:32 · answer #9 · answered by Knobby Knobville 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nepotism - OK so long as you keep it in the family.
2006-12-30 04:22:06 · answer #10 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋