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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:
Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 11/02/2019 19:36

The cowboys/Indians thing has been done to death and seriously Hmm at the 'American teacher's
I hope your dh finds work OP, I would dearly love to find a reliable handyman, I couldn't care less what his name was.
If you are in Lancs I've got work Grin

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 11/02/2019 19:37

*rancher

Kahlua4me · 11/02/2019 19:37

One problem with setting up as any trade is getting your name known in the area and having the contacts to start the word of mouth referrals.

I think he does need to have a trade name as it seems more professional these days. Our trade name was very long when we started out as it was dh full name followed by what services we were offering so that people knew what we were about. Now we have been running a long time we have shortened it as most people around here know us.

Where is he advertising? Maybe look at getting his name in a local magazine that goes out to all houses asround the area, or as a pp said, get registered with the local council if you have enough previous customers for references.

Another way would be to get in with a local painter, builder etc to build up your skills and profile.

Hopefully once he is starting to get off the ground his name won’t be putting people off, if it even was in the first place. It does take a while to get going though...

Parthenope · 11/02/2019 19:37

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!

Well, in fairness, he'd be right to conclude you were thick based on your extrapolation from a sample size of one. Hmm

newtlover · 11/02/2019 19:41

Op if I called your DH about a job I'd like him to say
'yes, of course, I'd be happy to come round and look at the job for you (then, perhaps, I've done several of those recently/for your neighbours/whatever)- when would be convenient? I can come tomorrow evening if that's suitable. if it's a small job, say under 70 quid I'd be happy with a verbal quote but he should offer a written one. I'd expect a printed, itemised quote with no spelling mistakes within 2 days, and a call apologising if it took longer.
I would NOT like (and would not give work to)
anyone who called me darling or similar
anyone who suggested I needed to consult my husband
anyone who smoked, or smelt of alcohol

it's not usually a good sign if a tradesperson can do a job at short notice, especially if it's a big one. If your DH explained the business was new I'd be a bit concerned, so I'd like to know some back story- eg he worked for someone else and is now independent, he's new to the area and can supply testimonials from previous customers, whatever
I do think the language thing is important- not saying it's an issue for your DH but if I thought someone didn't understand me I'd only employ them for the most basic tasks, if at all.

Missingstreetlife · 11/02/2019 19:41

Definitely does happen. It's appalling. My architect neighbour has a Greek name and couldn't get clients until he called his business something neutral. Born and bred here in a multicultural area.

Genderwitched · 11/02/2019 19:42

It wouldn't make any difference round here, in North London. We recently invited quotes for a loft conversion and eventually went with a man with an Asian sounding name. He was very highly recommended by a neighbour and has done a very nice job. He actually has more work than he can handle, but from what I gather, it is mostly from word of mouth, as he always does a good job. And to be honest, round here, that is people's only concern, not what a person's name is.

However, saying that, where my parents live, in Norfolk, it might well make a difference sadly.

blackteasplease · 11/02/2019 19:42

Sadly I think this happens.

I've known Asian solicitors for example with firms called e.g. "Smith, Jones and Khan". Only Mr Khan actually exists.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 11/02/2019 19:43

Get a reputation for wearing shoe covers over your work boots and clearing up after yourself - you’ll make a fortune.

Original poster
Stcatherine · 11/02/2019 19:45

Yes lordpro he does that and more Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Stcatherine · 11/02/2019 19:47

Maybe I can get previous customers to put on a testimonial

OP posts:
Original poster
Stcatherine · 11/02/2019 19:49

He has used gumtree, and checkatrade.
It's frustrating because you pay out money and get nowhere.

OP posts:
Dillydallyingthrough · 11/02/2019 19:49

It's sad but it happens. Me and my siblings all found once we used a British sounding name business suddenly increased, or we got more interviews. It's funny but suddenly we didn't need 'word of mouth' recommendations, suddenly we became more appealing everywhere we were listed (as customers would tell us 'we saw your name listed on xx'). Yet when we used our 'foreign' sounding name, we always had to get business through a referral.......

GreenDinosaur · 11/02/2019 19:51

My mate set up a handyman business a couple of years ago but has had to give it up because he just wasn't getting enough decent paying jobs. Most people go on personal recommendations and if you are competing with known tradesmen in your area, it can be very tough no matter what your name is.
He was British and had a very standard British name for what it's worth.

Oneweekleft · 11/02/2019 19:58

I wouldn't get offended by it, I think it's just because when people only have an advert to go by they naturally will gravitate to a name which is more familiar to them. Maybe because they feel there will be no trouble communicating with them, whereas with a foreign sounding name there is a chance that person's English might not be good. I don't think it's necessarily like a racist thing in most cases.

Uptheduffy · 11/02/2019 20:05

What I would love is someone who came round to have a look at it and then followed up with a quote and actually came to do the job. Smallish job, two tradespeople have been out at different times, one quoted but never came to do the work, one hasn’t quoted (yet - been over a week). It was clear before either came exactly what size of job it was I don’t know what the problem is. I am nice to them, I don’t smell Confused
Your dh wouldn’t find it hard to beat that level I’m sure!

SandyY2K · 11/02/2019 20:05

Yes I think there are people who would not use him. I had a friend with an Asian forename...she was married to an English man..

She shortened her name Annie ... the interview said "Oh, I didn't think you'd be Asian"

Had she put Anupam... she wouldn't have got shortlisted.

Uptheduffy · 11/02/2019 20:06

Here it’s more Facebook local page that people ask for recommendations on, rather than gumtree

Monkeybusiness2 · 11/02/2019 20:09

Hi OP, I am married with an African surname which is very long and difficult to pronounce. I've often wondered the same. I think some people do still discriminate even if it's subconsciously. I think less so in bigger cities though. I think it depends quite a bit on location.
Interestingly, I recently applied for a job in TEFL (as it's what I did before). A LOT of this industry depends on what the teacher looks like (many SE Asian countries will only employ 'white' British and make sure of this by asking for a photo) and I honestly believe they looked at my surname and dismissed me. I only thought this because I worked abroad in SE Asia and across Europe (as well as here) for several years and it's rife with this sort of crappy thing. I had all the quals they were asking for and the experience but they wrote back saying 'I wasn't the right person for the job at the time'. (Even though they'd not spoken to me or seen me). I'm not saying it was because of this but I had a funny feeling.

Monkeybusiness2 · 11/02/2019 20:12

''I wouldn't get offended by it, I think it's just because when people only have an advert to go by they naturally will gravitate to a name which is more familiar to them. Maybe because they feel there will be no trouble communicating with them, whereas with a foreign sounding name there is a chance that person's English might not be good. I don't think it's necessarily like a racist thing in most cases.''

I think this as well.

MrsT4 · 11/02/2019 20:13

My married name is very unusual and people
find it hard to pronounce. It is very 'foreign'. Though DH and and myself are scottish, it's come from many many generations back.

I'm immensely proud of it and think it's a fantastic name, but since changing my name I absolutely have found it impacts people's perceptions of myself and my DH before they meet us (or just him) in person.

I'm considering changing jobs and will be using my maiden name on applications.

It's terrible but I do think your husband would benefit from a 'work name'.

Orchiddingme · 11/02/2019 20:14

I think lone handymen/consultants/people working alone or in people's homes are particularly susceptible to this type of prejudice because people feel vulnerable and then something which would not have bothered them in an accountant does in someone coming to their house.

I could be wrong. My husband is Eastern European and I booked all his work for him for a while though as people were put off by the accent but once he turned up in person, they really liked him and recommended him from there on in.

It is about getting a foot in the door and people are prejudiced against foreign accents, names, looks etc. I gave my children names that work both in that culture and mine for this reason.

Haffdonga · 11/02/2019 20:15

Yup. My DH is not Asian but also has a very obviously 'foreign' name and has experienced this.

I'd use an anglicised version of his name for communication and sign off messages with a business name (e.g. 'Al, Quality Trades' instead of Ali Patel, Handyman or 'Si, Reliable Roofing' for Saeed Hussain, Roofer)

GiantKitten · 11/02/2019 20:17

A PP mentioned that in general in the UK we don’t tend to associate Asian names (any part of Asia) with trades - they’re more likely to be either professionals or else eg retail or catering.

I think that’s a good point - hands-on stuff is much less common! So it’s not necessarily prejudice as such, just familiarity.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 11/02/2019 20:17

Maybe it depends on where you are. We have a very foreign name but DH has never found it to be an issue, yes people are curious about its origin but then they ask about my name too.