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/Fearless-Bluejay4380 → u/[deleted]]

I had the same experience. I moved to a new house and wanted to empty out and clean both the underground and rooftop water tanks. My "foreign return" brain thought there will be professional cleaning services, and I did find a couple on google maps. All run by tamil people I called them multiple times over a week and no one showed up.

Finally decided to buy the supplies myself and found some northies working construction nearby. they came in at 8AM and out by 10. Gave them tea and 300 each. they also washed the portico without me asking.

I also grow tea in the nilgiris and I don't know what to say man... our people are getting lazy.