Isn't this racism?

Question

I'm Japanese and a new flight attendant for a Japanese airline company and my boss told me that I should talk in English to non-Asian customers.

Is this just good service or one of racism? There are many Asian customers who aren't Japanese. What about them? and What about Europeans or Africans who speak Japanese by their practice?

I think I should talk in Japanese to any cutomers first and if they ask me to speak English, then I should start talking in English.

What do you think?

The flights I serve for are mostly from Japan to the US or European countries but most of customers are JApaense.

Many of answers say that I should talk to non Asian customers in English because it's international language but again, there are many Asian customers who aren't Japanese. What about them? and What about Europeans or Africans who speak Japanese by their practice?

Answer 1

Theres a lot of stupid question on yahoo answers and this is one of them.. lol thanks for the 2 points..

Answer 2

Wow. Some of you boneheads missed the point that this is a Japanese airline....not "American." So, it is merely a matter of courtesy that one would speak English to "non-Asian" customers. However, to the questioner's point, not all non-Asian customers are de facto English-speaking, and not all Asian customers are Japanese. In any industry where customer service is paramount, one generally attempts to cater to all ("the customer is always right"); but, in reality, you must determine the percentage of your customers that fit potential profiles and cater to them. In other words, if 35% of customers speak English and 45% Japanese and 10% Cantonese, and the remaining 10% an assortment of languages, one can only reasonably cater to the top 3 languages. You certainly can't surmise that by the looks of someone he/she speaks English (however, being that in most countries except the US people have mastered more than one language - and usually the second is English - this might be a fair assumption). You should start in your native tongue and adapt as the circumstances call for.

Answer 3

No - it is not racism. It would be wise under these circumstances to utalise common sense. Anybody appearing foreign you should consider addressing them in english to avoid any further complications. On the other hand, how many Frenchmen fly JAL and cannot speak a word of Japanese or English?

I understand where you come from, but I think for now it would be best for you to listen to your boss in order to get far in life. You could be suspended and charged with insubordination for refusing addressing your clients in English. Again, I'm still stressing the fact that you have to use your logic.There's no point in forcing an elderley woman from Sapporo to speak in English.But for your own sake - address them in english.

Answer 4

If you are a new employee and already using the racism word--you are in for a lot of misery. It is not racist to ask you to carry out a company policy. You were hired to do a job, not take issue with your boss or change the company policy. If you were told to speak to the passengers in English, then speak English. The passengers don't care about your nationality or language which, I think, may be behind your opposition to instructions.

If the passengers don't understand English, they will let you know, and then you can communicate with them in a language they can understand.

Answer 5

When you speak the the passenger for the first time say "Welcome Aboard" or "Hello" in both languages, and see which one they respond to. If they respond in English then speak to them in English. If they respond in Japanese then speak to them in Japanese.

If they are talking to someone who they are traveling with then speak to them in that language.

The problem with speaking in Japanese until they ask you to do otherwise is that your wasting more time and they may be confused. I've been on those flights, and occasionally some people that look Japanese only speak English, and vice versa. It happens.

Either way follow your airline's policy, that's what your paid to do.

No I don't think it's racist, you are just trying to make the passenger more comfortable and if they are bi-lingual then they will let you know what language they prefer.

Answer 6

I'd go somewhere in the middle, I don't think you should have to speak english across the board, nor do I think you should automatically speak japanese to people who aren't japanese. I'd size up individuals and decide from there. If they were non-japanese businessmen who seemed like they came to Japan often I'd speak Japanese, but if they were obvious tourists, I'd go with english.

I don't think it's racist so much as it is going overboard on your boss's part though.

Answer 7

No that isn't racism. Last time I checked language isn't a race. He's right. Probably 95% of the non-asians are going to know english. Just speak english to make everything easier.

Answer 8

Hi!

As your airline is Japanese, it would seem logical to me that you should address passengers in Japanese, first, then any other languages.

I think your boss is trying to encourage the use of English because it would make the flight attendants appear more international. This is, of course, silly.

When I fly JAL or ANA (which has been often), I expect to be addresed in Japanese.

Answer 9

I think you should just speak freaking English, because what are the chances that everyone on your plane is going to be Japanese? Probably one or two, or maybe one family. This is America, lady. Either speak in English and do your job right, or don't do it.

It's not racism. It's good service. It's like when you go to McDonalds and the people speak spanish to you. The general population, I'm sure, is not Japanese on your airplane, so just speak English and switch to Japanese for those who want it.

Answer 10

Maybe you should greet them in Japanese and then if they speak Japanese to you then you will be able to speak your native language...I understand where you boss is coming from in that not all people will speak Japanese, but on the other hand, not all people speak English also. I don't consider it racism, but I also don't think that you should be forced to speak English to people that you aren't even sure speak English....

Answer 11

This isn't really racism as you are not being told to treat them as inferior in any way. English is considered the worldwide "business" language, which means it's common ground for many different cultures. I also think you should probably listen to your boss if you want to keep your job. He/she may have an idea of what they're talking about. If not, you'll learn that in time. ;-)