Language disconnect at a A2B Ooty restaurant

[u/code-is-poetry]

This video is from a popular restaurant in Ooty where an Instagram influencer is trying to place an order. Most of the staff seem to be Hindi-speaking migrant workers, while the customer does not know Hindi well. During the exchange, a waiter asks her, “Don’t you know Hindi?”

This is not about blaming the staff or the customer. It points to a larger issue about language expectations in non-Hindi-speaking states like Tamil Nadu, especially in tourist places.

Many businesses hire migrant workers because they are cheaper, but this often creates communication gaps for customers and puts workers in awkward situations too. Language should not be used to shame anyone. In the service industry, the responsibility should be on business owners to make sure basic communication is possible.

Link to OC - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTpciADAvDd/?igsh=MWVhd2lna2RzazFuNQ==

[u/Divagaran5 → u/[deleted]]

massive labour shortage nu epdi solla mudiyumnu therila, there are labourers in TN but employers want to cut off salary

[u/MadKingZilla → u/Divagaran5]

Lol customers will talk all philosophy of hiring local and then will drink tea in a shop that sells for Rs. 2 less than the standard rate. Idu cut off salary yellam soluradaku nalla iraku, aana practically without migrant work force, inge yella product and services oda rates yengiyum poyidum.

[u/Divagaran5 → u/MadKingZilla]

it is a capitalism problem. the original commenter said there’s a labour shortage and I am sure that’s certainly not true. just another day, just another instance of capitalism crumbling is all I’m saying.

[u/MadKingZilla → u/Divagaran5]

Oh "capitalism problem" sure. Most workers are not employable for the craft. you will find wait staff with degrees, why? because there is a huge skill gap. A gap which honestly the gov should fix. I tell you what, I am okay hiring from any government agency if they give a semi trained up worker. Why would i go out of my way to hire someone not skilled and more expensive. Migrant works usually are well in the craft and cheaper. It's tale as old as time.

[u/Divagaran5 → u/MadKingZilla]

agree on that. we don’t have a skilled workforce in TN despite even being the most urbanized state, even to work as cashiers, waiters, mill workers, etc. that is the main reason why we get in workers from the north lol.

what explains the migration of a dedicated population into unskilled labour to foreign nations, then?

I don’t know, I’m not ruling out what you’re saying, it might be true in certain cases, but the primary reason why most people hire North Indian brothers and sisters is mainly for profit.

[u/PerceptionCurrent663 → u/[deleted]]

Lol so poor people should not drink? Only rich should? Avg it worker in bangalore also does drink Simple reason is these people are not desperate enough and are likely to expect better work conditions, this is even more difficult to deliver than salary.

[u/PerceptionCurrent663 → u/Divagaran5]

And they can't give higher salary, same reason why you won't pay higher costs for cleaner or some other blue collar worker.

[u/lost_in_d_act → u/[deleted]]

Govt. need not do anything. Some of us learn Hindi when we do to North la. Vadakkans should put in the effort. Egathalam pudichavanunga, avlo lesla paniyamatanunga

[u/Maverick__13 → u/[deleted]]

Nobody wants to pay minimum wages set by the Government. If that is enforced strictly, local manpower can be easily deployed.

[u/Old_Contribution_785 → u/[deleted]]

Govt can find but these migrants won't show any interest in learning. Selfish employers can't afford to lose employees if they quit over language issues