SG worker says his “Chinese colleagues” alienate him by only speaking in Mandarin

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean worker took to social media to share that his Chinese colleagues cast him out by speaking only in Mandarin.

In an anonymous post on the NUSWhispers Facebook page, the worker shared that his colleagues “would invite him to lunch, only to speak in Mandarin the entire time.”

He also mentioned that these colleagues would do the same to anyone who couldn’t understand their language.

“I keep reminding them not to keep doing that since what’s the point of asking me out to lunch when you’re just going to outcast me,” he expressed.

“It’s really an easy way to sideline/insult someone who doesn’t know what you’re talking about. I can’t believe that adults still have no basic respect for others?”

He then urged others not to do the same thing, saying, “I also want to remind everyone to pls be mindful of this habit as I see it being practiced so often nowadays. We learn English for a reason.”

“Starting learning Mandarin from them. I am sure they would be happy to teach you”

Many netizens did not agree with the man’s sentiment, stating that his colleagues were not intentionally being rude. 

One netizen who has worked with different races before explained that any racial group will tend to speak in their native tongues when they are the majority, as some things are easier to express in their native tongue.

He then suggested that the man take this as a positive opportunity to learn the language.

He added, “I have seen Chinese men working in security teams with mainly Malay colleagues and he spoke Melayu to them. I have seen an Indian who hangs out with mostly Chinese people and they spoke Chinese.”

“When I hang out with my Pinoy colleagues they speak Tagalog. I dun feel offended. Instead I ask them what certain words mean.”

Another netizen, who used to work with Malays in the past, shared that she now speaks fluent Bahasa thanks to her colleagues.

She said, “Instead of feeling left out, I picked up the language from them and also learned how to cook Malay dishes. So do it, starting learning Mandarin from them. I am sure they would be happy to teach you.”

Others, meanwhile, suggested that he politely decline their invitations next time or ask them to repeat what they said in English if he is not interested in learning Mandarin or being in uncomfortable situations.

One netizen added, “Be assertive to verbalise your thoughts during the lunch outing. Once they know your feelings, they should speak the common language.”

Read also: Singaporeans feel sad about the decline of Chinese dialects in favour of Mandarin and English

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