How to Deal with Non-English Speaking customers

[CS-TNP]

Speaking english is "mandatory", it's the universal language, and anyway it's so easy to learn, fortunately! But speaking other languages is an advantage for everybody. And don't forget that learning russian, chinese and arabic will open many doors.

Cheers

[jimworcs]

Just to be clear, I am not advocating not learning a second language. The key here is most definitely not the total number of people who speak a language as their mother tongue. It is the dominance of English as a second language. Clearly, Mandarin is spoken by huge numbers, as is French, Spanish and Portugese. However, I would hazard a guess that English is the choice of the vast majority of Mandarin, French, Spanish and Portugese speakers and has become, by default, the international language. That was my point. The benefits of learning multiple languages in terms of being able to communicate, understand cultural differences and improve social relationships are undoubted.

[PENKO]

Well, clearly English is not that dominant eh? Why else would this thread exist? Come fly to Italy, France or Spain, Poland, Deutschland or Greece to name a few and your lost with just English.

[Rush2112]

I guess the point is where are you? If flying around China, speaking only English might not be that good - but then would you have gotten the job in the first place!

[QFKFY]

Um, not trying to brag, but I speak Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, English, was a German major at university, and learned Japanese for 3 years. The list is still growing, planning to learn Spanish, as my partner is South American. I used to think all flight attendants speak other languages, but until I get in as a FA myself, I realised it's not the case.

Girls and boys, during our slips, shopping is not everything; try to learn at least one other language, it will open up your world; you will truly appreciate and embrace other cultures. As I still see racist FAs treating pax appallingly.

[Domestos]

QFKYF

Yes I too agree with you....I have seen a lot of racism amongst crew towards passengers and towards other crew at our airline...(I believe you and I work for the same airline). It is appalling to hear some of the comments made in the galleys. A lot of the domestics have no clue about cultural sensitivity and half of them have never left the country....except to do a CHC or AKL return. You would like to think all FAs were compassionate, open minded, and culturally sensitive....definitely not the case where I work. I think they should stay doing what they do best....tossing biscuits and muffins between SYD and MEL.