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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think Asian name may put off customers

260 replies

Stcatherine · 11/02/2019 17:12

I'm prepared to be flamed for posting this. My dp is Asian and is trying to get jobs as a handyman but nobody is responding to him. Do you think that when people see a Asian name in his profile that it puts them off. He is very experienced and skilled. By the way I'm not trying to say that everybody is racist but have been aware from past experience that some people think along these lines.

OP posts:
Oneweekleft · 11/02/2019 17:14

I have a Pakistani husband and I'm English and I would say yes an Asian name would people off. Our kids all have Muslim names anyway because that's who we are. Guess he could try using an English name and see if he got more work. I've seen many foreign people do this so must something in it. People stick to what they know sadly...

Original poster
Stcatherine · 11/02/2019 17:16

Oh thanks I was holding my breathe to get really ripped apart for this lol.
I have thought about making his name a bit different.

OP posts:
LoopyGremlin · 11/02/2019 17:16

I really hope it is not putting people off, but could he use a business name and see if that makes a difference e.g fix it solutions instead of his name?

Original poster
Stcatherine · 11/02/2019 17:17

It's a awful thing isn't it. My dp is also Pakistani

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 11/02/2019 17:17

It completely depends on the area.

Is he registered with the council? If not, something like that could put people off, as he hasn't been 'approved'.

TortoiseLettuce · 11/02/2019 17:18

There’s been research showing that CVs with obviously white names get more interviews. I’d be interested to know if he did actually get more responses with a different name.

Bigonesmallone3 · 11/02/2019 17:18

I don't think people employ a handy man based on there name.. More word of mouth/good reviews..
Everyone has to start somewhere he just needs someone to give him a chance..
Does he have a business name as it sounds more professional than just a name

Original poster
Stcatherine · 11/02/2019 17:18

Well he is working independently and I don't want people to think he is from top notch company

OP posts:
Mayonayse · 11/02/2019 17:19

“You’ve had the cowboys. Now try the Indians.”

EssentialHummus · 11/02/2019 17:20

I think a business name (with associated perception) is a good idea for him.

Original poster
Stcatherine · 11/02/2019 17:20

He has had some work but from Asian people lol and they are always happy with his work.

OP posts:
Mayonayse · 11/02/2019 17:20

(Sorry, just noticed he’s from Pakistan!)

Original poster
Stcatherine · 11/02/2019 17:20

Lol mayo

OP posts:
Almostalive · 11/02/2019 17:20

I use a reputable site with customer reviews for any household maintenance. An Asian name would not put me off as I go by reviews and customer satisfaction. However. I have a friend who runs his own business and uses an English name for this very reason x

Bigonesmallone3 · 11/02/2019 17:21

I don't think a business name implies that..

NotANotMan · 11/02/2019 17:21

Sadly yes
My ex used to have a removals company and he used an English nickname for his advertising.

easyandy101 · 11/02/2019 17:21

If it's an obviously Muslim name then it will make a difference to uptake imo

I work in a shop and a not insignificant portion of my customers have made comments about the Muslim shop down the road that offer the same service

People are wankers

Agree on having a business name

Original poster
Stcatherine · 11/02/2019 17:21

He has personal liability insurance etc

OP posts:
easyandy101 · 11/02/2019 17:22

“You’ve had the cowboys. Now try the Indians.”

TortoiseLettuce · 11/02/2019 17:22

Mayonayse I love that! I’d actually hire him just based on that slogan because it would make me think he’s a fun guy.

planespotting · 11/02/2019 17:23

I can see that OP. I am foreign and have a foreign name so it would not put me off. In a way, the kind of people put off by this are customers he doesn't want to have (in an ideal
World) Of course if he needs the business maybe a company name instead. How sad OP.

WorraLiberty · 11/02/2019 17:23

I'd want to know that he's DBS checked, insured and that all his qualifications are real.

That's why I'd only use my local council approved list or something like Check A Trade.

Could he register somewhere like that?

CherryPavlova · 11/02/2019 17:24

There is plenty of research that shows many employers discriminate when faced with a non traditional U.K. name that suggests Asian or African heritage. Very sad but undoubtedly true.

WorraLiberty · 11/02/2019 17:25

As funny as “You’ve had the cowboys. Now try the Indians" is, it's also very very common.

It's on loads of vans/business cards in my area and surrounding areas, as there's a very high population of Asian residents.

MitziK · 11/02/2019 17:26

Yes, I do think so.

A friend married a Pakistani man and found that, not only did her new client enquiries dry up as soon as she started using her married name, she suddenly became somebody who was always pulled out of the queue for extra immigration/security checks when travelling.

She divorced a few years later, went back to her maiden name and, despite having no recent presence under that name - in exactly the same field - the number of enquiries shot up almost overnight.

Utterly shit though it is, it's a damn good reason for a sole trader to be XXX Trading As Non Ethnicity Specific Name.