(no subject)

[katyism.livejournal.com]

There's a radio commercial around here advertising a computer repair and consulting business in the area. It's the first thing of its kind I've heard. Do you have this in your area? What is your opinion? I found it ever so slightly offensive for some reason.

Thick Indian Accent Man (TIAM): Hello, thank you for calling tech support, how may I help you?
Redneck: Hi, I'm having some trouble with my computer systems.
TIAM: OK, here is what you do. (rapid and melodically, think of Apu yodelling) La bla bla la bla la, La bla bla la bla la, La bla bla la bla la, La bla bla la bla la...
Redneck: What? I can't understand what you're saying. I wish I could talk to someone who makes sense. I need help NOW (whiny)!
Radio Announcer: You don't have to listen to a foreigner. Get help NOW from Powersource, your local computer expert. Laptops, cell phones, iPods, LCD displays! Call us today and speak to someone qualified!

(Note: I don't remember the exact wording, and it's hard to convey this commercial in text)

Comments

[brothersterno.livejournal.com]

ah, yes, racism to sell products.

The problem is that often, one does get better results when you're dealing with someone in canada or the US.

[anivair.livejournal.com]

That IS offensive.

We have those businesses here, but they're not quite that offensive.

[katyism.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we all know how difficult a language barrier can be when you need to exchange important information, I'm sure. But this was just ... I dunno, probably not the nicest way to illustrate that fact. I can't put my finger on the exact way it bothers me.

[xforge.livejournal.com]

I find it offensive, especially since the Americans in the US that I speak to on TS lines are often inarticulate as hell, or so astoundingly stupid or mistrained that it takes an hour to get them to tell you you have to change your username to "username@domain.com."

[katyism.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and how many of thse Americans are bilingual enough to get a job using a second language? I have to give credit to the workers of those outsourced jobs for that...

[ghostdandp.livejournal.com]

depends on the american. I could do technical support in 3 languages. Although 2 of them would be about as good as the indian support.

[brothersterno.livejournal.com]

well, it's a racist stereotype. that bothers me.

[katyism.livejournal.com]

Kudos to you, but I meant to imply that's rare for an American, statistically at least. Although that may be changing, and depends on how you define "american" but still...

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah really, most of the Indians I've spoken to (save maybe one or two) have spoken perfect accentless English. Over here, if you happen to speak Spanish AND English and can walk and chew gum at the same time, they'll step on their mothers to get you to work for them. = )

[xforge.livejournal.com]

That other comment was me; unscreen it for me if you can, thanks.

[brothersterno.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry that I upset you by using the common useage of racism instead of the correct useage.

However, in speaking clearly, one ocasionally uses common rather than correct useage.

Also, this advertisement is making an implicitly racist argument: "Our native 'mericans are better techs than those fucking towel-heads over there speaking jibba jabba!"

[jecook]

Agreed. In Arizona, if you are multi-lingual, your changes of landing a job go up by a decent amount.

[crazdgamer.livejournal.com]

"Call us today and speak to someone qualified!"

Perhaps that needn't be in the commercial, or at least, if that's included, it should have an end like "speak to someone who's both qualified and easy to communicate with!" That would really emphasize what they're selling: local, non-outsourced tech support.

That said, I laughed when I read this. Judging by other responses, I may be in the minority though.

[shirenomad]

Good point (we've all had to deal with too-thick accents), but poorly expressed.

[mouser.livejournal.com]

I believe you're fixating on on definition of the term. I don't want to argue the point, though. I do want to give you this to ponder:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=define%3A+racism

[jahbulon.livejournal.com]

It's not a pet peeve, it is wrong. Language is fluid, it changes in culture, in location, everything. That is why language is a beautiful thing.

Unsufferable pedants..

[jahbulon.livejournal.com]

I can't put my finger on the exact way it bothers me.

What if you were an American of Indian descent going for a job with the company? There's obviously a problem there..

[anamacha.livejournal.com]

at least 3-4 times a day I get some yahoo saying some variant of "thank god you're american." I used to say "thanks" but now the whole arrangement makes me somewaht ooky. I understand the sentiment, but they're working for a living just like we are; I'm not a fan of outsorcing, certainly, but ...

grah. Back to the usual parade of idiots ...

[louisville-mike.livejournal.com]

I personally beleive that companies who pay someone half a world away to read canned solutions off a script will soon see the error of their ways.

Everyone is so hung up on the racial aspect. The core issue is nothing of the sort. It would be the same if tech support were outsourced to Europe, Quebec, or Mexico.

People are not just looking for robotic technical answers. They want assurance, understanding, and empathy. It is natural to believe that someone in another country 12000 miles away probably does not care about your problem as much as the guy down the street. With any language barrier, that perceived lack of empathy on increases.

I fully support outsourcing manufacturing where it makes sense. I even support outsourcing more mechanical jobs like order processing and the like. But not technical support.