Deteriorating English-language speaking ability of FAs
Nov 10, 2013, 3:44 am
#91
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver
Programs: A3 Gold, CX, CA, PCR Platinum Ambassador, Hilton Gold, 1865 Voyager
Posts: 218
As frequent rider of Air China and China Eastern (both in J and Y) I can tell you the "superior English" observation is a bit overblown. Are those FAs competent in English skills? Yes. But are they superior to CX hands down? No. All in all CX still have the better English skills in my opinion. Way better.
There was once on China Eastern, J class, the FA spoke good English on announcement. So I figure wow, she's an English person. I asked for custom form for China, she gave me a towel, then newspaper, until she finally figured out what I wanted. Then finally I spoke to her in Mandarin and asked how can she give the announcement in good English, and she laughed and said she memorized all the pronunciations as the wordings are always the same, but her English skills is limited.
There was once on China Eastern, J class, the FA spoke good English on announcement. So I figure wow, she's an English person. I asked for custom form for China, she gave me a towel, then newspaper, until she finally figured out what I wanted. Then finally I spoke to her in Mandarin and asked how can she give the announcement in good English, and she laughed and said she memorized all the pronunciations as the wordings are always the same, but her English skills is limited.
In terms of Cathay, I think generally most FAs speak good English, although most of them prefer to speak Cantonese and quite some of them are willing to speak Mandarin, especially on KA and CX's own routes to mainland. This also holds true for other CX routes as a result of increasing number of mainland travellers transiting through Hong Kong. Since I speak both English and Mandarin as well as Cantonese, I have no problem with it.
I have only started taking CX two years ago so I would imagine that back to 20 years ago, English was widely used than Cantonese for inflight service.
By the way, I have some Hong Kong friends and they told me that (not sure if that's generally representative of HK as a society) that now they use less English and more Mandarin and of course Cantonese is prevalent.
But again, overall speaking, people in the service industries speaks much better English than their mainland counterparts. Sometimes I tend to switch to English because some people there just don't quite take Mandarin speakers seriously.
Nov 11, 2013, 11:58 pm
#94
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,188
Yes, agree with this. My friend used Cantonese on one way and English on the other way, and saw much difference in terms of service.
Nov 12, 2013, 1:13 am
#95
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver
Programs: A3 Gold, CX, CA, PCR Platinum Ambassador, Hilton Gold, 1865 Voyager
Posts: 218
Nov 12, 2013, 1:34 am
#96
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,188
He said attitude is the most obvious, when he speaks just english, he finds them more welcoming and friendlier. While speaking cantonese, they gave a more dont bother me attitude. Ofcourse its two different set of crew.
Nov 12, 2013, 5:42 am
#98
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,019
In contrast, as a (clearly Western looking) Brit living in HK, I speak basic Canto or Putonghua (depending on which language I've heard the FA using most) to the FAs when I fly with Cathay or Dragonair, even if it's only to say please and thank you. I tend to get much better service - I think the FAs appreciate a Westerner making the effort.
Nov 12, 2013, 8:38 am
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
In terms of Cathay, I think generally most FAs speak good English, although most of them prefer to speak Cantonese and quite some of them are willing to speak Mandarin, especially on KA and CX's own routes to mainland. This also holds true for other CX routes as a result of increasing number of mainland travellers transiting through Hong Kong. Since I speak both English and Mandarin as well as Cantonese, I have no problem with it.
I have only started taking CX two years ago so I would imagine that back to 20 years ago, English was widely used than Cantonese for inflight service.
By the way, I have some Hong Kong friends and they told me that (not sure if that's generally representative of HK as a society) that now they use less English and more Mandarin and of course Cantonese is prevalent.
But again, overall speaking, people in the service industries speaks much better English than their mainland counterparts. Sometimes I tend to switch to English because some people there just don't quite take Mandarin speakers seriously.
There was one female KA FA (on flts to TPE/KHH) that could only speak Mandarin as well, so not only the Mainland.
SIN flights also periodically have Mandarin speaking FAs IME.
Nov 12, 2013, 9:42 am
#100
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Here there and everywhere
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 1,648
How do you know she didnt speak English ? Being as speaking English is a requirement for the job.Always has been as I recall and I will check with people I know at KA/CX.
Nov 13, 2013, 3:17 am
#101
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,118
With recent experience on MH, TG and GA, I'd have to say that the AVERAGE English skills on these three airlines are better than that on CX/KA. I stress AVERAGE. You would have seasoned flight attendants (20+ years of experience) on CX/KA whose English would be flawless.
Nov 13, 2013, 4:12 am
#102
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver
Programs: A3 Gold, CX, CA, PCR Platinum Ambassador, Hilton Gold, 1865 Voyager
Posts: 218
Overall, CX service team has done a great job!
Nov 13, 2013, 7:51 am
#103
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver
Programs: A3 Gold, CX, CA, PCR Platinum Ambassador, Hilton Gold, 1865 Voyager
Posts: 218
About a year ago, I was on flight from Europe to Beijing. I was in first class(upgraded from business). Just before landing, one of the three first class FAs handed me a card with her name and number printed on it. She also wrote her own cell number on it and the words "Please call me in Beijing if you need anything, I'd be glad to help. Have a great time... hope I can be part of it" Her English penmanship would put John Hancock to shame.
I thought she was interested in me personally or something... then I noticed that she gave the same card to the other 4 passengers as well. (all male) I chatted with another fellow first class passenger in immigration line. He said he also got the same card with the same writings on it. He told me that it was normal. I never did call... and to this day, I'm still wondering what she really meant, or would of done, if I did call.
I thought she was interested in me personally or something... then I noticed that she gave the same card to the other 4 passengers as well. (all male) I chatted with another fellow first class passenger in immigration line. He said he also got the same card with the same writings on it. He told me that it was normal. I never did call... and to this day, I'm still wondering what she really meant, or would of done, if I did call.
Just curious to ask, what's the ethnicities of all the first passengers on that flight that day she wrote the card to?
Nov 13, 2013, 5:25 pm
#104
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,377
I wonder if it would have been 'normal' for FA's to be giving out their personal number to 15 year olds...or seniors
What if the F cabin had mixture of male and female passengers? Female FA's personal # to male pax, and male FA's personal # to female paxs?
Nov 13, 2013, 7:16 pm
#105
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver
Programs: A3 Gold, CX, CA, PCR Platinum Ambassador, Hilton Gold, 1865 Voyager
Posts: 218
+ age demographic?
I wonder if it would have been 'normal' for FA's to be giving out their personal number to 15 year olds...or seniors
What if the F cabin had mixture of male and female passengers? Female FA's personal # to male pax, and male FA's personal # to female paxs?
I wonder if it would have been 'normal' for FA's to be giving out their personal number to 15 year olds...or seniors
What if the F cabin had mixture of male and female passengers? Female FA's personal # to male pax, and male FA's personal # to female paxs?
I am sorry I can't find any on the plane. But I live in the airport area and there are shops where you can find what you want. I usually go with MY BOYFRIEND to buy the souvenir myself. Here is my number you can contact me if you need any further help. Can you also give me your details so I might post you one thing or two?
Actually I didn't think to much about what she said on the spot. I wrote her back my mobile.
But it looks like she considered my question"pick up lines"