Travel Agency Bans Welsh Language!

[Aled]

The Commission for Racial Equality in Wales says it will write to Thomas Cook asking the firm to explain why staff have been asked not to speak Welsh.
Staff at the travel agents' Bangor shop in Gwynedd have been told all work conversations must be in English.
The firm told staff they must conduct business conversations in English, as it is the UK's common language.
The Welsh Language Board said it was "disappointed" and it would ask the company to change its position.
It emerged last week that staff at the Bangor store - one of the areas of Wales where Welsh speaking is strongest - had been asked to use only English in business.
A Thomas Cook spokeswoman confirmed the policy applied to all non-English languages.
Concerns were raised in the Bangor travel agent


A company statement said: "Thomas Cook requests that all staff speak English when discussing work-related matters in the work place.
"This ensures clear communication at all times and is respectful to team members who do not speak other languages.
"Thomas Cook employs staff from many cultural backgrounds, therefore the company appreciates its staff may want to talk to colleagues in other languages for anything that is not business related".
The Commission for Racial Equality in Wales has warned that the policy might be in breach of the Race Relations Act.
Wales Commissioner, the Reverend Aled Edwards, said the promotion of good relations was their "paramount concern".
He would not comment on the particular case, but added: "The Commission for Racial Equality does have a power to investigate through its legal committee and also if it sees fit to start a formal investigation but I think common sense and courtesy would be the best option."
Surprising decision
Meri Huws, chair of the Welsh Language Board, said there was "disappointment" that a large private sector company had decided to take this decision.
She said the Welsh Language Act does not cover the rights of the individual in the work place. But she added it was "a very surprising decision, in the light of the number of private sector companies, large and small, that are choosing to use the language in terms of marketing, in terms of services to their customers, and generally in day-to-day work place activity".

[Strengthandhonour]

low blow in my opinion.
Also not a very good commercial move. Speaking the Welsh language can make the customers feel more at home and welcome when going there.

[Errigal]

This is one of many examples of the damage corporate culture can cause. Because this travel agency is part of a large corporation the employees can have their conduct regulated by a head office hundreds of miles away. If this was an owner operated shop they could speak whatever language they wish. Franchises and chain stores like these act as a force against local distinctiveness and national character.

[Menydh]

Thomas Cook is also responsible for one of the biggest crimes of the last century: mass tourism.

[Caradoc]

tourism is not such a bad thing, who would buy our wooden shoes, hell!! a normal dutch person wouldnt buy them, if theres no tourism left, we're stuck with tons of woodenshoes

[Susi]

Tourism isn't a problem, mass tourism is. Especially to warmer countries... With the advent of mass tourism, many tourists have become much bolder, or should one say, ruder than in previous years.

My city isn't really a tourist destination in Canada, but these Americans once came to me to ask for directions.. they were really rude to me. Like I couldn't understand English or something..

[Milesian]

Originally Posted by Caradoc

tourism is not such a bad thing, who would buy our wooden shoes, hell!! a normal dutch person wouldnt buy them, if theres no tourism left, we're stuck with tons of woodenshoes

LOL

I suppose the same could be said for the kilt-making industry in Scotland or the straw-donkey making industry in Spain. Tourists do tend to be the almost- sole purchasers of certain products


Susi,

I think a further problem in the equation is the quality of the tourists too.
For example, most holidaymakers heading to the mediterranian for 2 weeks in the summer are not of the kind of want to go sight-seeing and taking in all the cultural experiences on offer. Usually, they simply want to get sunburnt and drunk, with some casual sex thrown in for good measure.
Such people tend to run a place down after a while.

[Susi]

Yes.. what do you think about "holidaymakers" in the North then?

[Holden Caulfield]

Originally Posted by Milesian

sunburnt and drunk, with some casual sex thrown in for good measure.

Every holiday I ever went on summed up in one simple, short sentence.

Bravo Milesian, I salute you!

[Susi]

*whithers*

Holden! How could you!?

[Caradoc]

anyway they should not ban the welsh language like this, isnt it protected by european law or something, or am i totally wrong? and it doesnt count for thomas cook travelagency's, how is it that you ban a language it promotes racial equality, to me its absurd, i smell political correctness wich i loathe.

[Milesian]

Originally Posted by Holden Caulfield

Every holiday I ever went on summed up in one simple, short sentence.

Yeah, me too funnily enough

[Susi]

You too, Milesian? *dies*

[Milesian]

Originally Posted by Susi

You too, Milesian? *dies*

Well, the casual sex thing didn't happen too much, if it makes it any better.
Mainly just due to the fact that I indulged rather too much on the other two points (sunburn and especially drink ).

Meh seriously though, I quickly grew out of it (not sure I ever really found it to my liking). I quit those kinds of holidays when my last one ended up with me and my friends leaving our rowdy resort each night to find somewhere more quiet.
That and all the Union jacks were starting to irritate us as well...

Funny how old age sneaks up on you like that