I work at a local bank and a man came into get his check cashed into a local account. He was a latino and spoke with an EXTREMELY heavy accent. We had a billigingual worker but she was busy with another customer. I kindly told the man that I could not understand him. He became very angry and said something like this: fowrcause i fhuckin whetback messican eh? and I once again told the man it had nothing to do with his race, but I was simply having a hard time understanding him. He called me a "fhuckin bhitchh" with a real smart attitude, again I had a hard time making out his words but coudl eaisly understand the vulgarity. he said "vwhat bhitwch u gonna ju." It seemed the the only things this man could say were insults. I HAD it i was done so this is what I said. SIR Its not because your a W*TBACK! Its not becuase your MEXICAN! I Just can't understand you! He stormed out of the building, but apparetnly others heard what I said, and called it a racist comment. UGH! what do you think?
2007-06-15 10:51:00 · 15 answers · asked by Stephanie V 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Nope it wasnt.
It was completely his fault but you shouldnt get so angry at work though might get you in trouble
2007-06-15 11:08:12 · answer #1 · answered by Aingeal 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, it wasn't a racist statement because your intent wasn't racist in nature, but it was a sucker play and you fell right into it. You can't repeat verbatim the stupid things the general public may say to you because it will always offend someone listening on who wasn't privy to the entire conversation (and cause damage to your professional reputation as a result). Working in a bank is a customer-service related industry, and as such your rapport has to be above reproach at all times...I'm sure you know that. SImilarly, you're no doubt also aware that there will always be someone who will tax your patience to its limits. It's usually safer (for the sake of your economic survival at the least) to just let some things pass, and when you see it's about to overcome you, try to go on break as soon as possible. I'm sorry you went through that, but in a bank, it's not likely to be the last time. Work some strategies over in your head in anticipation for the next time. Good luck to you.
2007-06-15 18:05:43 · answer #2 · answered by Captain S 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well I think that you could have left out the part where you said "it's not because you are wet back. It's not because you are mexican". and just plainly said I don't understand you what you are saying. But I seen this happen before, with other hispanics, they get get offended all the time whenever somebody tells them that they don't understand them. You know this gona might happen again so goodluck with that, and I don't think you're a racist.... can I have ten points please?
2007-06-15 18:09:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one thinks that you are racist but you have to remember working with customers you always have to remain calm. "The customer is always right." even when they are not right. Your bosses or corporate members will not care that he started it they will just care that you responded back that way. I know it's so hard. You will feel better soon. I have been a restaurant manager for over 4 years now and I know everyone has those days where you just lose it and snap on a customer! It happens.
2007-06-15 19:19:41 · answer #4 · answered by faith b 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would have left the "w*tback" part off...
That's the only thing you said, even though it was repeating what he said.
I would try to learn a Spanish phrase, for the next time you encounter this situation.
"Lo siento. No comprendo, porque no hablo bastante..."
I am sorry, I don't understand, because I don't speak enough.
2007-06-15 17:57:17 · answer #5 · answered by MamiZorro2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No its wasn't a racist comment! I'm Hispanic and my folks are trying to learn the English language, because we live in different country.
2007-06-16 00:01:49 · answer #6 · answered by dyno_ok_64 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
after informing him that I could not understand him because of his accent, I would have simply walked over to the bilingual employee and asked her to talk to him when she had the time. Then I would have ignored him.
2007-06-15 18:01:30 · answer #7 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we're living in a world of unfair advantage. he had the advantage of telling you off w/ no manager to intercede and since you had to fend him off by yourself, all they heard was your reply. not fair. so all I have to say is, don't worry about it. when you work with the public they have the advantage over you and they know it. all this politically correctness is ruining the workplace.
2007-06-15 18:09:51 · answer #8 · answered by renamed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Racists think everyone is racist.
And every IS prejudice. Which means to pre-judge someone or something. Because they lack self-respect, and don't think anything of themselves.
(Egotism being just an attempt to overcome that lack of self-respect).
And they WANT to self-righteously and hypocritically condemn and criticize others, to make them look like nothing too.
2007-06-15 18:02:06 · answer #9 · answered by Baron Draconis 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it was not a racist comment but you shouldn't have to say W*tback. Just ignore it/forget it.
2007-06-15 18:46:11 · answer #10 · answered by Sara 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋