EOP - English only Policy
We find this phrase ever ubiquitous in almost every corner of our workplace, constantly reminding and sometimes threatening in most ways.
That way either we
1. Practice Professionalism within the workplace
2. Improve on our Comm Skills
3. Make our customers believe we are not in the Philippines - Some Companies actually have to lie with regard to its Location - i.e. Our Headquarters is based in AZ.
I get that - I enforce it to a fault.
You know how it is, If you're not rich and you speak English all the time people tend to think you're trying too hard, ,or MAARTE at the minimum. But what weirds me out is this - Speaking English in Restrooms is a bit surprising , Speaking English in the Elevator - commendable. Speaking English in the sidewalk where you make tusok-tusok the fishballs? Are you kidding me?
Displaying one's set of skills is admirable.
But conspicuously over enunciating words only gets us the same kind of reaction all the time (Ah taga call center yan!)
All in the right place
I find most Reps speak Filipino in the office but once stepped out of the company premises and voila! 'Like you know my friend?!, like we saw the new twilight movie and like, it was so amazing!!
Which begs the questions why do people think its a dead end job? That its only for those who've no ambition? Worse that only morons work in a call center?
Although I have been guilty of the same I remember hailing a cab as I got in I said 'Manong, Ever' .and he kept asking me till I figured 'Eber po'
Believe me in some Call Centers - people are actually shocked if they hear you speak English during normal conversations - As if the only time you can speak English is during calls.
I'm not ashamed to speak English with my friends because that's how we usually do it and I will never feel the need to explain, regardless of what other people think.
But if I'm in a public place where Filipino is most applicable then I never hesitate speaking my Native Language, which I love dearly.
You speak the Language most appropriate - unless attention is really what you crave for.
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9 comments:
Honestly, I don't really care if it's appropriate or not. So long as one's COMFORTABLE speaking in a particular language, then let him. We have to understand that people were raised differently.
But if one's not really comfortable in that particular language, and tries so hard to hold it at the wrong places (like on the streets)... that would be embarrassing. You don't have to hurt yourself just to keep up.
But say you were a sheltered kid or that you’re culturally different, and you weren't really exposed to the Filipino language, and for some reason, you had to eat fishballs just to get along with the average Filipino. Why would you hurt yourself trying so hard to speak in Filipino, when you're more comfortable speaking in English? It may look strange to some people, but in my humble opinion, it’s always a good thing to be open to other cultures regardless of how you were raised and what language you speak.
What I’m saying is that, there should be no discrimination against a particular language or culture. So long as you’re comfortable speaking in a particular language, and there are no office or other rules to stop you from speaking that language, then by all means, go. But if you’re not really comfortable, and you try so hard to speak that particular language just to “impress” people (especially at the wrong places), then yes it may be a little disgusting, embarrassing, and not impressive.
Point taken - but This is just within the confines of the call center populace really - Im all for individuality - But admit it - u know those people - If its anything other than for that reason - I don't really get it
I don't think it matters where you're from, whether you're from a call center or you’re from a different country. What matters is if your English is good or bad.
These people you meet at the elevator... if they didn’t come off of call center floors or if they weren’t wearing their pathetic call center IDs... If they worked at non-call center companies, or if they were from a different country, would you react the same way regardless of their English? I would understand if you get ticked off because their English is awkward, they’re pronunciation is off, or their grammar is screwed up. But I think it’s kind of prejudicial if the reason you’re ticked off is because these people are from call centers.
clap clap clap!
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