I've been dealing with a non-profit organization. Many times when I call the receptionist does not answer and it goes to an old automated system. They recently changed it that now includes a 30 second blurb in spanish which you must listen to before you can choose an option. I complained that I should not have to waste my time listening to this, and a simple press 2 for spanish would be appropriate. Of course, the head of customer service, I was talking to wasn't aware of the recent changes. I was told they "needed" to include the spanish information because of their diverse membership. Of course, they don't include any other language options of any type. What's your opinion?
Given the number of other activities in which I'm engaged, I'd say this isn't worth trying to change.
I'm with Marda on this one. Life's too short.
It doesn't bother me that I have to listen to something in Spanish for 30 seconds. I'm sure people who speak Spanish have to listen to a lot more English before they can get the information they need a lot of the time anyway.
In another decade, Spanish will be the #1 language in this country. I think we'll all need to get used to it.
from Cheryl -- we are being told we are a "melting pot" and need to bend and accommodate our immigrants...
kinda sad in a way - didn't the new immigrants used to try to adapt quickly to their new lives here? (don't mind if they still want to speak their language(s) but then kinda wonder about the Native American languages that have died out due to gov't interference)
if you want to try and change it - try - but I think you'll be hitting a brick wall....
we have Spanish and Arabic on our voting ballots...we are being told we are a "melting pot" and need to bend and accommodate our immigrants...
Its not so much the other languages that bother me as the music people put on their messages. I had to wait for the intire song from some heavy metal group the other day just to leave a message. I think that is rude. No wonder I dont feel like calling them back.
It sounds like you have spent more time stewing over this then it takes to just listen to the message. Save yourself the time and energy you are complaining of loosing and get over it. Spanish speaking clients must need that info. They are just as important as you.
As much as I hate it too, there is nothing we can do about it. This country is very diverse in language. We just need to accept that and know that Spanish (or whatever language someone speaks) needs to be helped just as we do.
It's a non-profit, and making changes costs money. If you don't have the 30 seconds to spare, then just put it on speaker phone when you call and do whatever you want during those 30 seconds.
Let it go. There are so many bad, terrible things in the world -- catastrophic climate change, malnourishment of children -- I mean, choose your issue! I really recommend taking the time and energy you are devoting to this automated system and focusing it on something or someone who could really benefit. Or, at the very least, try to figure out the Spanish. Learning a second language is the best form of cognitive "ejercicio" in the world.
Is it a voice automated system. Like, you can say 2...or hit the button? If so, say operator, customer service...something like that. Usually it will take you to a person. Or, you could try pressing 0 a couple of times.
I do agree with the others that they should make them in spanish but also as well as other languages, BUT I do think that you should be able to push a button and skip it if you don't want to/need to listen to it. When I'm making a phone call I don't always have a lot of time when my kids are around, so I don't like to be on the phone that much unless I'm home alone or something, so I don't want to have to waste my time listening to that either.
