racism...does it really affects you???
@angel_of_charm (4134)
Philippines
May 23, 2008 4:25pm CST
well i just got off from work..i work on night shift so its 6 am in here..good morning Philippines...
i come up with this discussion because i had a very bad day today at work..it didn't worked fine for me today..as i had mention on my past discussions that i an working as a call center agent as collection rep..i tried my best to be nice and trying hard to do my best to help the customers the best way i can..see i work with sprint and i do understand that most of the time not all customers will understand my accent fully but not all the time either that they don't understand me..i also say sorry whenever they said they cant understand me and say I'm sorry it should be my accent...but tonight..this lady that i spoke to is definitely rude and racist...she called in just to tell me that i had the very worst accent ever and that i suck..not even if i helped her out during the 45 minutes conversation with her because she wanted some overages fees to be waived off..not our departments thing to handle but did my best to get an approval to give her what she wants..i credited over $100 to her overages minutes and plus waived the late fees just to help her caught up with her bill..just for her to say those words upon me..and she even dared to say..she don't wanna speak with Filipino agents..she only wants American agent..
what a shame...i really couldn't believe this people's manners..i for one would not even say that and really i mean it when i said..I'm so sorry if i wasn't the type she wanted to speak with but it was my pleasure to help her out and hope she will have a wonderful weekend..i was just offended by the approach..i thought she was racist...
now do you think she is racist? and if ever you are on my shoe..would you feel offended like i do? or am i just reacting to exaggerated upon her actions towards me??your input will really be appreciated as i wanna know if i was just narrow or not...
6 people like this
14 responses
@Power_of_Ganda (217)
• Philippines
25 May 08
Actually of course WE CANNOT PLEASE EVERYBODY and it is expected that other people in other countries are really racist especially Americans. But there are some Americans that likes Filipinos too. Maybe in your case it happens that she is really impatient. I could not say that it is your fault but it is natural for us to Filipinos that we cannot speak with the right accent very well. Maybe it happens that it took her so hard to understand what you are saying. Of course she would prefer the American agents that she could totally understand since she is used to it and her accent is similar to Americans so that she could easily comprehend to listen. I am no longer surprise if they are really rude especially Americans. That is why when I watched the episode (unfortunately I forgot the title of the TV show) regarding the call center agents or the workers of Call Centers there was this scene on how they trained the trainees for Call Center. They even tested their patience. The trainer himself pretend that he is an American rude who is impatient and he did that by yelling and using foul languages. If I am in your situation I could admit or I will not be even hypocrite to admit the fact that I will be offended as yours. But because I really used to Americans the fact that I even had a relatives who are Americans it is better for me to understand them and I could always think that at least I have my earns of dollars.
@angel_of_charm (4134)
• Philippines
26 May 08
i actually believe she did understand me somehow..she's answering my questions and what she did is just paid her bills off and nothing more..then after giving out an authorization code for the payment she just said my accent sucks..i don't think she will respond if she didn't understand most likely she'll say i'm sorry i didn't get that..
1 person likes this
@Remmie7 (167)
• United States
24 May 08
Dear Angel_of_Charm, The woman is racist. There is no way she should have expressed herself to you like that. Instead of her calling back to express her graditude, She calls back to say those unnecessary things to you. I'm sorry for your pain, I know how you feel. Some people find it easier to look the other way and not recognize that there are such people in this world like her. We can make "All" the excuses we want for someone that has no reason to make a person a human being feel such pain, NO EXCUSE. I don't even have an accent, and I was called the N-word by a nurse where I use to work. We had a meeting with the head nurse and She-the name caller was suspended on her off days. Her regular 2-days off she was suspended, she didn't miss making any money and it defeated the purpose, she was not discipline by the job rightfully. So I left that job and haven't turned back until now. And the reason for that is to help you any way I can. It took me some time, because it Hurt Me. I never did anything to her, I always worked hard, because my work is a reflection on me, I was brought up like that by my mother and father. I understand that "Everybody" is not like that. The days got easier, the sooner you realize she has lost out the more you'll come to feel for these kinds of people in the world. You have the right attitude, you seem like a "Kind Hearted Person", never let anyone take that away from you with their ignorance. Keep being yourself, you're a great person. Always show kindness, but don't let nobody run over you. You have to stand your ground. You can always say what you mean and be polite. Good things will always come to you. I hope that your kindness rubbs off on the people like that.
@angel_of_charm (4134)
• Philippines
26 May 08
well i don't hold it against her..if she did that for a purpose then its her problem not mine..for as long as i did my job well thats about it..i know for a fact that she is the only person who told me that and she is the only person cannot understand me..well i do think she does understand because she's answering me back with my questions you know..
1 person likes this
@jalucia (1431)
• United States
24 May 08
Ok, this lady should have probably bitten her tongue. And, if she called back just to say those rude things to you, after you helped her, she really was being unnescessarily rude. But, I don't think that I could really call her racist. She probably would've had the same response to anyone who had an accent that she couldn't understand. The fact is, Sprint is a very aggravating company to deal with it. I'm sure many of the customers are already irate before they actually get to talk to a rep, and then to speak to someone that you can't understand is even more aggravation on top of an already aggravating situation. And, a lot of American consumers are calling to get help with services that they bought and they end up being shuffled between an automated system and a person that they have a very hard time understanding. When you're trying to deal with an issue that you're having, this just makes it worse. I wouldn't take anything that she said to you personally. Just realize that she was very frustrated. I think that you handled it well, and she did go to far in expressing her aggravation.
3 people like this
@angel_of_charm (4134)
• Philippines
26 May 08
oh yes i always put poeple in consideration..and i always say i'm sorry for the inconvenience..and those frustrated customers always get a good smile after the call because i wont let go till i get their concern done..
1 person likes this
@roanne05 (1290)
• Oman
24 May 08
you know what my dear..i was also a call center agent before...it really happens alot. what happened to you is just a lightblow my dear!when i was a call center agent an old man even told me i am a wh*re and he thinks i don't even know what that word means. to think i was only asking his name that time. i cried a lot and even planned to resign. i know you are just human and stuff but since you have that job, just be patient and don't take it personaly. yes that person really is a racist but just let it pass 'coz they can never know you and judge you.
what i am trying to say is just expect the unexpected from those racist. and also don't take it personaly is the best advise i can give from an old call center agent.good thing i am not in that area anymore...hahaha!
3 people like this
@Raeyden (46)
• Singapore
24 May 08
She is definitely racist! if she couldnt understand ur accent, she could at least nicely ask to talk to someone else..
i live in Singapore and racism is a big thing. you can get jailed for it, so most people here live peacefully. I have a lot of phillipino friends that came here for attachment, sometimes its a little bit difficult to understand them but im patient =)
i think filipino people are nice and funny =)
@patchmypal (344)
• Philippines
24 May 08
hi angel_of_charm..am new here in mylot, and i cant resist responding to this issue on racism against Filipinos or to any other race for that matter. This act of racism is a social malady affecting not only Filipinos abroad but also to us Filipinos at home, who like you, gets to deal with foreign nationals who think so high and mighty of their own race. But you know, we dont have to think of it that way, that we are victims, or that we are good for nothing people, etc. What matters is that you've done her (the customer) good and that you did so because it was your job to assist her, and if ever she didnt get what she wanted, it was because she herself has put her in that difficult position in the first place. I think that people who think so low of others, regardless of race, do so because they themselves have their own faults and inadequacies, and themselves are victims of their own maladies.
@LightninStrike (5915)
• Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
6 Oct 08
Well none of us like to be offended, and sometimes certain racist attitudes offend us. However, it's offending power mostly depends on ourselves, on our ability to ignore people who doesn't worth it and the stupidities they say.
Basically, I think that the woman you talked to is rude and thick, if not stupid. Racist? perhaps...some people just never learn, but you can learn to deal with them without letting it all get to you that much.
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
9 Oct 08
[i]Hi angel,
I am too late to reply but I will not blame you for feeling that way, I will feel the same and will not like it too, I do know if I can sleep good without saying things that will help that lady to realize that she isn't perfect too!
ANyway, that is very common among those who are working at call center, anyway, i know time and experience will make you more tough and stronger! We have to accept that there are really people who treat other human being as that and wish in their lives, they will also experienced being insulted by other so they will learn from it![/i]
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
24 May 08
Hi angel_of_charm! She is trying to bully you dear and yes, I do think she is a racist since she just said to you that she never want to talk to "Filipino Agents" because of the accent. You have been very helpful to her so she can be able to catch up in her payment but despite your being helpful she is still resentful of you. I think her problem is not the accent, the problem is she can't pay her bills and she is just looking for reasons to cover her shameful state. Just take pity on these kind of people who thinks so mighty of themselves yet in truth are really nothing compared to people whatever race they are have a beautiful and kind heart. And No, you are not narrow. I have known you for a long time now and you have always been a good friend with a very big and beautiful heart dear.
Take Care and God Bless! Happy Mylotting! 
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
28 May 08
I would say it's racism.. She only wants the best for herself at the expenses of others.. ANd even ifu din offer to help her, she will still kick up a fuss anyway saying there's nobody to tend to her..
If i'm in your shoes, i will definitely feel very frustrated.. BUt i will still do wat she says, get an american agent if there's one.. If not, i will just get another colleague to serve her instead and frustrate her somemore.. lOL
@teka44 (3420)
• Brazil
23 May 08
Hi angel of charm. Anyone feel offended with rude words no matter the type of words. When we work with people many times we get this kind of people. Yes, I think that she is racist and unfair since you could save her money. Maybe an american agent don't do this lol. Don't worry because in this life what go come again. In the future she will speak with a person that she want and don't take nothing from. Or maybe someone will say rude words for her too and she must need to hear and do nothing. I believe in the Return Law.
cheers
3 people like this
@jer31558 (3683)
• United States
25 May 08
Yes, I do think she was being racist and should be ashamed of herself. If I were in your place, I would be highly offended. I am sorry that you had to experience that. I guess there is that type of people where ever you go and not just here in America.
@angel_of_charm (4134)
• Philippines
26 May 08
your right Jer31558..racism is happening everywhere else..and it doesn't mean she played rude on me i should hate Americans..i stumble with good americans as well..
2 people like this
@_Honey_ (780)
• Philippines
4 Jul 08
Hi Angel,
I can feel how bad it really felt and how it really messed up your day. I also used to work as a call center agent for a GPS account then moved to car insurance. We also have sprint account and I'm telling you, it is such a tough account. It's like Smart here in the Philippines. With regard to this woman, at that moment, she somehow can be labelled as a racist. However, if you come to think about it, you should also understand her situation. She's mad because of her billing concerns. She might be thinking she was overbilled. She took the time to call in to iron things out. You picked up the phone and tried to work things out and I can really imagine you did a great job coz you were able to get her money back. There is a communication barrier though that makes it quite harder for both of you to work things out easier. I'm pretty sure she didn't mean to hit you as a person. All she was saying was she didn't understand your accent and if you were in her place filled with her being upset of her bills, don't you think you won't react the same even half of how she behaved? Just try to weigh things over and move on. You yourself, admitted that there's something about your accent too. Try to take it positively and work for it. You will surely get to receive a lot of calls like that. But remember, once another one hits you again, learn from it, stop dwelling on it, and moved on. After all, no matter how tough it went on, not all may have realized it, but you made a difference in their day by resolving their issues. And that's the real reason why the company chose you for that position.
2 people like this
@angel_of_charm (4134)
• Philippines
4 Jul 08
oh no, i'm ok now, this happened for about a month now...she's just messing up with me i know..
1 person likes this
@tsallis_1 (98)
• United States
10 Oct 08
Hey angel, that totally sucks for you. I know how it feels to deal with ignorant racist people. Just one question, did you have to credit her account or were you just being nice? If you were just being nice then you are a better person than me. I would have said with my thickest philippino accent, "Sorry maim but i cannot help you, maybe you should pay all your bills on time and then you wouldnt have to talk to and ask for help from an educated philippino with a thick accent. Have a nice day." lol. J/K. Dont say that you dont want to get fired. Just ignore it, feel sorry for them and chuck it up to ignorance.
