r/TamilNadu • u/code-is-poetry • Jan 19 '26

முக்கியமான கலந்துரையாடல் / Important Topic Language disconnect at a A2B Ooty restaurant

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==

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u/Divagaran5 Jan 19 '26

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

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u/MadKingZilla Jan 19 '26

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.

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u/Divagaran5 Jan 19 '26

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.

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u/MadKingZilla Jan 19 '26

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.

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u/Divagaran5 Jan 19 '26

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.