Lost in Translation: Racial Discrimination Case

Front

What was the compensation awarded to the couple in the case?

Back

£2,500

Front

What was the nationality of Wong's wife?

Back

Hong Kong national

Front

What language did Wong use to negotiate with the staff?

Back

English

Front

What language did Wong switch to when explaining aspects of the sale to his wife?

Back

Cantonese

Front

How did the staff at John Mulholland Motors react to Wong speaking Cantonese?

Back

They asked them to switch to English 'because we are in the UK'.

Front

What did Wong explain about his wife's ability to speak English?

Back

She can't speak it well enough to engage in a proper conversation.

Front

How did the staff treat Wong and his wife during the sale?

Back

Aggressively and rudely.

Front

What did the judge rule about the environment created by the staff?

Back

It was degrading and humiliating.

Front

What was the outcome of the case for the couple?

Back

The judge ruled in the couple's favour.

Front

Lost in translation

A couple were awarded £2,500 in compensation after they suffered racial discrimination at the hands of a car sales company. Kin Hung Wong, a man of Chinese descent, and his wife, a Hong Kong national, visited John Mulholland Motors to buy a new car. Wong conducted all negotiations with staff in English, his first language. However, when explaining certain aspects of the sale to his wife, he switched to Cantonese, her mother tongue.

Regrettably, this was something that didn't go down too well with the staff present, who kept asking them to switch to English "because we are in the UK", despite Wong explaining that his wife can't speak it well enough to engage in a proper conversation. Wong said they were treated aggressively and rudely and not even offered a handshake once the sale was complete. The judge ruled that John Mulholland Motors's staff had "created a degrading and humiliating environment", which is why he ultimately ruled in the couple's favour.

Back

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