What's Going On?

• ShutterBug

  11 May 05, 17:17

  Today, this morning I went to an HDB branch office to renew my monthly parking.
  
  There I was attended to by this China woman who tried her best to communicate with me in English, but eventually gave up and asked me if I can speak Mandarin with her. I agreed, and concluded the transaction.
  
  I left the HDB branch office, feeling troubled, asking myself in my head; what is going on? Aren't we multi-lingual? Aren't we largely bi-lingual?
  
  In fact, yesterday while ordering a drink at a foodcourt, the lady how took my order over the counter asked me what would a like to drink in Mandarin, and then turned to her colleague and spoke in hokkien, and another colleague in English. I replied in English that I would like 3 cold barley drinks.
  
  What is going on?
  
  I can understand if I'm in China and people communicate in Mandarin. The other question is; aren't employees in HDB and any other organization supposed to be able to communicate in both English and Mandarin?
  
  This brings to mind my awareness that there are a great many high school and university grads who can't compose a decent formal letter. Let alone a decent thesis in proper English.
  
  
• lotus999

  11 May 05, 19:13

  Originally posted by ShutterBug:

  Today, this morning I went to an HDB branch office to renew my monthly parking.
  
  There I was attended to by this China woman who tried her best to communicate with me in English, but eventually gave up and asked me if I can speak Mandarin with her. I agreed, and concluded the transaction.
  
  

  HDB counter service also need foreign talent?
• ShutterBug

  11 May 05, 19:16

  Cheap labour you mean? Not talent, foreign or otherwise.
• SMAPLionHeart

  11 May 05, 20:55

  Those foreign talent up north are more versatile....
  
  ive even saw one selling oakley sunglasses...no JOKE!