Phoning HSBC

Bendybops19

Idiophreak wrote: »

I've had that too...but the funny thing was...they were right...

Thanks for letting me know you've closed my branch...

:eek: LOL!!!!!!! :rotfl: :T

asea

dmg24 wrote: »

I tried this - according to the call centre, my branch doesn't exist!

Also, hate to state the obvious, but you know everyone is thinking it ...

Was the call centre in the UK?!!

no NOT everyone is thinking it - I imagine that what a lot of peope are thinking is that you are being racist, not that it is some stupid foreigner - we've all spoken to idiots here and abroad & it's the idiocy that she is complaining about, why are you trying to make this a race issue?

manofthemoment

asea wrote: »

no NOT everyone is thinking it - I imagine that what a lot of peope are thinking is that you are being racist, not that it is some stupid foreigner - we've all spoken to idiots here and abroad & it's the idiocy that she is complaining about, why are you trying to make this a race issue?

I dont think that was a racist comment. Why are YOU making this into a race issue?

asea

Also, hate to state the obvious, but you know everyone is thinking it ...

Was the call centre in the UK?!!




that's what the comments above looked like to me why else would you be asking if the call centres were in the uk or not?

maxfactor_3

Why,s it racist if someone cannot understand you on the phone,its not racist its that they clearly cannot understand.I was in hospital abroad having an operation as a kid and in frustration as they didnt understand I chucked the food trolley across the hospital ward.I tell you it makes you irate.

amyb_2

No the gentleman I spoke to was not English - and I don't think its racist to point that out. Surely as an English speaker I am entitled to expect a bank with branches in England to provide English understanding staff.

Its no different to expecting to have English speaking staff in the branch.

He only had a few set phrases to work with and what I said didn't fit in. The lady I spoke to afterwards was English and had no problem with my request.

Made me annoyed at the time but thinking back it makes me laugh.....

nobblyned

asea wrote: »

no NOT everyone is thinking it - I imagine that what a lot of peope are thinking is that you are being racist, not that it is some stupid foreigner - we've all spoken to idiots here and abroad & it's the idiocy that she is complaining about, why are you trying to make this a race issue?

I don't think it's racist to ask if someone's first language may not have been English and that was the reason they may not have understood the OP.

Nor do I think it's racist to expect to get through to someone who understands English when calling an English based bank.

chipmunk

asea wrote: »

Also, hate to state the obvious, but you know everyone is thinking it ...

Was the call centre in the UK?!!




that's what the comments above looked like to me why else would you be asking if the call centres were in the uk or not?

Oh for goodness sake! How on earth you would automatically assume that was a racist comment is beyond me. People who immediately jump on the "racist" bandwagon are, in my opinion, the ones who create these situations. In my job, I frequently have to converse with people in different countries and I know that sometimes they do not understand me. No way would assume that they were being racist if they commented that they couldn't understand me.

Please stop making something out of nothing.:rolleyes:

rosysparkle

nobblyned wrote: »

.......to expect to get through to someone who understands English when calling an English based bank.

I think the name of 'Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation' may give you a clue that while HSBC has branches in England and indeed worldwide, and the group headquarters is now in London, the main building is in Hong Kong (according to Wikipedia).

nobblyned

rosysparkle wrote: »

I think the name of 'Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation' may give you a clue that while HSBC has branches in England and indeed worldwide, and the group headquarters is now in London, the main building is in Hong Kong (according to Wikipedia).

OK got me there! Although actually HSBC Bank plc is a British company incorporated in England and Wales and regulated by the FSA. I take your point though about the global nature of the parent group.

You knew what I meant though!