I'm against the Republicans' "English Only" policies, BUT....

[ThatsMyBarack]

Sometimes when I'm trying to get good service, I get stuck with people whose first language isn't English. My hearing isn't what it used to be, so they can be hard to understand. I try to ask them something, and they twist my words around so I don't get the straight answer I need. I'm not racist--just frustrated. I don't want to do anything illegal by insisting on "English only."

What to do? :shrug:

[Denninmi]

1. Just explain to them that you cannot understand them.

And then ask them to transfer the call to another customer service rep. That has worked for me. I have the same issues when dealing with call center works in foreign countries. I don't think it is rude to request to speak to a different agent if you cannot understand the first one.

Some customer service call centers overseas also have US supervisors available -- you can request that your call be transferred to a US based agent -- that may help if the company has this option available to customer.

[Newest Reality]

2. Too bad

the Bablefish is not real. You could just stick one in your ear and, problem solved.

[PDJane]

3. You can demand that they transfer you

to someone whose native language is English. It's not racist; at least, it's not if you can't understand them. I've done it. It takes some persistence.

[leftstreet]

4. Just start speaking in a language THEY don't understand. Instant transfer

:beer:

I'm just being silly

[iris27]

5. How would "English only" fix this problem?

English spoken with a thick accent is still English.

[Logical]

6. Good point. Hard to define "english".

[ThatsMyBarack]

7. It wouldn't.

I just wanted some tactful solutions on how to deal with not understanding--and I got them.

[Canuckistanian]

8. Get a hearing aid and learn a second language

It can't be that hard to communicate in the 21st century.

[Jamastiene]

9. Speak up and talk slower.

That helps most of the time. Just think, you could have someone who speaks English but is still hard to understand. Do the same for the ones who didn't learn English as a first language as you would for those who did learn English as a first language, but still are hard to understand. You'll have much better results.

[Lost-in-FL]

10. Speak up. You have questions regarding X product...

or service and it is your right to know.

You are having as much a hard time as they are... so... make it easy for the two of you by asking for someone that is higher up or just say you have a problem understanding them due to a hearing problem. It is that simple. Just be truthful without being rude. Chances are this person has been in worse situations with extremely rude customers. They will certainly appreciate your openness and could even direct you to the right person.

[Drale]

11. I had a similar problem with Dell a couple weeks back

I got an Indian guy who was very helpful, but I had hearing problems and had to keep asking him to please repeat.