To think Asian name may put off customers

[Stcatherine]

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.

[PengAly]

But it tends to work both ways, they tend to only want their friends or relatives working for them. My Dh has been a builder for 35 years, he's never once had any work from an Asian family.

I don't believe this is a culture thing, I think its a logical thing. If you have family/friends who work in the industry why wouldn't you use that connection over hiring a stranger? You'd probably get a discount and you can trust them as you know them! I've hired friends before and they are a different culture to me

[Stcatherine]

If only they would give him a chance they would find themselves a very keen hardworking guy who does the job well.

[Stcatherine]

This thread just shows that this problem with hiring Asians is rife in the UK.

[Marchitectmummy]

@Parthenope & @ PengAly Really you can't tell at all? You have no comprehension which will allow your mind to filter native to those who have arrived as an adult in the UK? To help you it's quite simple very poor command / no English, anyone educated in the UK can speak the language of the UK. My interaction is not just walking by, my work is linked to the issues arising from the work they carry out.

[ImNotYourToy]

It's sad. People are very judgmental because unfortunately, they get a bad name in the press. You see it plastered all over daily mail and the like.

I take my car to a mechanic who is an Asian man and he does an incredible job. He never charges high prices and is very genuine.

[honeybeetheoneandonly]

Where and how is he advertising his business? The problem is that, without personal recommendations, he is only ever one of many. Let's say he leaves his card in a DIY shop/is listed in the yellow pages and let's say the are another 9 cards/phone entries, that means he only has a 1 in 10 chance of getting called. In other words a 9 out of 10 chance of not getting the job ever (and that's without any name bias). The odds are always stacked against him.
In order to get jobs or calls from people who know nothing about him, he needs to be noticeable and attractive on whatever advertising platforms he uses.

[Needmoresleep]

My accountant (white British) used to have an Asian partner so the firm featured both names. His Asian partner returned to India, but the firms name remained the same. Research indicated they needed the Asian name to attract Asian clients and the English name helped with white British.

So OP get your husband to put your name on his card as well as his. Once he has built up a client base, word of mouth will matter more anyway.

[Klopptimist]

It's not just Asian names. A friend with an Irish name does drives, tarmac etc. He got hardly any work as Patrick Quinn (name changed obvs.) and it turned out people assumed he was a traveller. Getting some new business cards reading Cityname Driveways generated a lot more work.

[WheelyCote]

Partner runs a American food type restaurant. Does well. He's seen about the place and chefing in the kitchen but he's very angst about using his actual name to his patrons. So he's used a twist of his name to make it more of a common English name. Bit like a nickname.....he's adamant that his Asian name would have a negative impact on business.

[WheelyCote]

OP I'd say it depends on where you live and where he's wanting to trade.