A NUS student was annoyed that canteen aunties and uncles cannot speak English even though they work in a top university.
I think it’s unfair that NUS as an English speaking institution allow canteen staff who don’t speak English at all to work. As a non-Chinese speaking race, I was outright ignored when the canteen staff didn’t understand me. When I ask how much the food was, she replied in Chinese. And when I asked for extra chili she just waved her hand indicating she doesn’t know what Im talking about. I kept my sentences short and I dont have any heavy accents
The student clarified that he is not blaming the staff in particular. He just wants the school to uphold a certain standard.
I am okay if I go to Chinatown for example and they don’t speak English as their primary customers will be Chinese-speaking people. However, as a university with many international students, the school should impose a standard of being able to service the university population.
What is your view on this? Should the school make it compulsory for canteen uncles and aunties to know basic English?
This makes us, Singaporean special. In class, we are able to communicate in English. To what perfection? That’s up to each individual. Outside, we are able to chicken and duck talk… Speak in Chinese if Chinese. Listen Malay but reply in English if Chinese… vice verses for the Malays and Indians… or even others born here. I believe it’s more annoying for the uncles and aunties. Some of them had been there almost the whole of their life, no issues for decades but now… there’s a severe issue???
Kamu faham Bahasa Melayu?
Vendors in Singapore food stations MUST be able to communicate in basic local languages. Many hawkers hire arrogant Mandarin speakers who refuse to accommodate or cannot. Then the office concern should relook their vendor specifications.
As a fellow NUS student, this is extremely embarrassing. The student sounds like an entitled brat who expects the world to suit his needs.
I think the auntie’s conduct is what likely spurred the student’s annoyance. She sounds impatient and unfriendly. Even if she couldn’t speak in English, friendly gesturings and signals can help. However, if this is truly the case, the student’s judgment of the auntie’s incapacity to converse in English is not warranted.