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.

[DeaflySilence]

"I've had an Asian guy come around to quote a job. He quoted 2k. I've had a guy from my country quote the job. He quoted 1k. I know who I'll be going with."

I had a friend who had a couple of quotes for her flat roof (re-cover). The higher quote was, not quite, but nearly double the quote she went with. Her roof leaked within 7 or 8 months.

I have no idea of the race of either Roofer, but in this context their race is irrelevant. As it is (or should be) in the context you describe, @DameIfYouDo.

Which makes your comment right out of order, in my eyes.

[SheWoreBlueVelvet]

It’s not just about being racist though.
If I had a choice between Tristan, Kevin and Lily to work on my car I’d assume;Tristan would be very good but very expensive, Kevin would know what he was doing but possibly cut corners and Lily would be young, trying to prove herself and do a good job.

[MyBreadIsEggy]

My dad anglicised our surname many times purely for work. We aren’t Asian, but it was a time when a lot of eastern and Central European people were coming to the U.K. and there was a lot of prejudice, especially in the agricultural area we lived in. I never used the English version of the name before I got married, but I probably would have given it a go if I was struggling to get work to see if it made a difference

[Hanumantelpiece]

It does seem that there is a degree of insidious racism permeating. Personally I couldn't care less what the person was called (or what they looked like for that matter). I would care that they were suitably qualified to do the job.

Years ago when I had a job linked to corporate finance, I had to help with recruiting for a small team I was co-running. My boss let me arrange with agencies to send CVs of their clients in. I removed names, ages and sex from the CVs before they were reviewed in-house to ensure that candidates were selected on their merit and not on anyone's prejudices.

[AzureApps]

I work in IT and there are so many Bob’s and Ali’s that are Indian men using their nick names that it actually draws more attention to their family name than if they were honest!

[Stcatherine]

I wonder if our communication is also at fault. He will respond usually with can I take a look and quote for the work

[Stcatherine]

What would you as customers like as a opening line

[viccat]

I too think sadly yes, especially if it's a more unusual name people don't know how to pronounce.

I used an Asian builder for my bathroom refurb and he went by a nickname that was more "universal" and easier to remember/pronounce.

[DameIfYouDo]

I don't think it's racism. It's outsiders.

[Thecreosotekid]

It’s totally shit but I agree with the majority. My family all anglicised their first and surnames when they came to the UK in the mid 18thC. It’s crap that several generations on we have benefited from them doing this and absolutely horrible that those from immigrant backgrounds are still bloody having to consider it just to make a living. As a PP said, the UK is racist. Quietly so, but racist nevertheless .

[Uptheduffy]

lunafortgest see this definition:
“Asian means belonging to or relating to Asia. British people use this term especially to refer to India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Americans use this term especially to refer to China, Korea, Thailand, Japan, or Vietnam.”

[MustShowDH]

So sad reading all this examples.

I wonder if it matters how close to London you are? We live just outside London and not experienced this. My DH is non-white.

The only thing that matters to me when getting jobs done is word of mouth.
I've seen people use Facebook quite a bit for recommendations and sharing pictures of work done. There was a window cleaner that went round cleaning all the road signs in the village and a handyman that fixed one of the Parish notice boards for free. Smiley pic of them standing next to their 'community work' shared on the local FB pages. Is your DH in a position to do something like this to raise his profile locally?

[HoustonBess]

Can he use his initials instead?

I think you feel very vulnerable when you have work done on your house and the idea of any kind of dispute or conflict happening is scary. If someone is/appears to be from a different culture you might think it would be even harder to resolve. It's not right but there it is.

I go by instinct a bit in accepting quotes from workmen - if they're off making eye contact or even just smell of fags or aftershave loads, I'd rather not risk it.

I'm sure your DP is lovely and would come across as trustworthy and reliable in person, it might just be the name that's a barrier.

[Stcatherine]

God all the crap about equal. Opportunity regardless of race and its still going on on a massive scale it seems.

[Uptheduffy]

OP if it’s a type of job he’s done before I’d like that - “I’ve lots of experience with vinyl floors/doors/decking whatever” (if it’s true!) and maybe suggest some convenient times - “would you like me to call tomorrow evening to quote?”

[twoshedsjackson]

I think this is a long-standing thing, sadly; two or three generations ago, it was Jewish businesses anglicising names (e.g. Schneider to Taylor, same meaning, more Brit sounding).
The firm I use advertises by initials (e.g. ABC Handyman services); although he was educated in this country, sounds totally Brit over the phone, his first name is obviously Indian, and I think when he was setting up, he felt it was a problem, but nowadays, I think he fills up his order books with word-of-mouth recommendations.
His website has lots of photos of completed work (with clients' permission), but I appreciate that it takes time to get the ball rolling.

[Stcatherine]

He is so reliable and fair and really good at what he does. People just need to get to know him.

[Fresta]

I live in area that has quite a high Pakistani population, and yes, I do think many white people would choose a white handyman over an asian one. The word handyman conjours up an image of a late middle-aged white man with grey hair, a flat cap and a tool box- someone like your grandad who is semi-retired. To be honest, I've never even come across an asian tradesman in my area- they are most commonly seen as taxi drivers, shop keepers, working in IT, doctors or restaurant owners. Maybe it's time they branched out a bit! We trust them and are happy to employ them in all these other areas, I don't really see why anyone wouldn't be happy for him to do handyman jobs.

[DameIfYouDo]

I can genuinely tell you here and now that the race of either was not a consideration. However one dude quotes me way over the odds - double the price.
The OP is about tradesmen. This is the only time I've been considering employing them. What I can conclude from this, and what I concluded is that the Asian man thought I was thick and were willing to exploit me. Do I think all Asian men are like that? No. Will it make me wary of other Asian tradesmen? Hell yes!

[piratehooker]

I'm sorry so many people here have such sad stories about being judged solely on a name.

My wonderful DP is British-born, to Indian parents. He was given a 'white British' name, both first and middle, as his parents liked British boys' names better than Indian ones. His lovely sister, however, was given a (beautiful, IMO) Indian name at birth, and has said several times how defeated she feels when she is can't even get past the first hurdle for interviews etc., despite having the same (or greater) level of experience, qualifications etc., as her white counterparts.

Strangely my DP also gets 'told off' for his name, often by older British women, who see his name on his company ID, and berate him for not being proud of his heritage and for having changed his name to a British one to fit in. He's rarely believed when he gently tells them that it is actually his given name!

[Beechview]

I know of two Asians who started getting job interviews only after they anglicised their names.
It’s weird as they got jobs so I wouldn’t say it’s that people don’t want to hire non whites as after they meet them they obviously think they’re right for the job.
They’re just prejudiced when they see the name.

[alreadytaken]

well we are all agreeing it might make a difference - but also that there are other things to consider. As an opening line not "can I take a look" but "I can come round on ...to take a look and quote, if that suits you?" Or " Yes I do that sort of work. It'll probably cost about £.. When would you like me to come round and give you a quote." I like the people who say "is this evening/ tomorrow OK" if it's a job that needs doing urgently.

[Stcatherine]

So Damel would a over the odds quote from a white man put u off all white men

[Gingerkittykat]

I work in IT and there are so many Bob’s and Ali’s that are Indian men using their nick names that it actually draws more attention to their family name than if they were honest!

Why are you assuming they are being dishonest?

Maybe they have experienced outright discrimination, maybe they have had people mangle the pronounciation of their full names, maybe Bob or Ali is their nickname they are normally known by.

I know Chinese people often have an English name and a Chinese name, no dishonesty involved at all.

[DameIfYouDo]

So Damel would a over the odds quote from a white man put u off all white men

Damned right it would. If a particular race, people or nationality try to take the piss out of you twice, yes, I form opinions.

Fool me once? Shame on you
Fool me twice? Shame on me