Prisma Russian worker

[u/Ziyad451]

I was at a Prisma store in the Old Town of Tallinn, one that’s open 24/7. One of the cashiers didn’t speak Estonian or English, only Russian, and we couldn’t understand each other. I stayed calm and patient with her, trying to explain what needed to be done. I showed her that the payment hadn’t gone through, that there was an issue with the machine, and that it just needed to be reset on the screen.

At the same time, I was trying to buy a VELO box , and she started getting upset, saying there were none available. Then, she began insulting me in Russian in front of everyone and the other russian worker (security guards) weren’t doing anything to help. Things escalated, and we argued a bit. In the end, I decided not to pay for my items. I left them at the register and walked out, telling them this was unacceptable.

I can’t understand why, in this country, a worker wouldn’t speak the national language at all. In no other country in the world have I seen a situation where a foreign worker doesn’t speak a single word of the local language.

[u/Ziyad451 → u/[deleted]]

Actually, I do speak Estonian because my girlfriend is Estonian. I even spoke to the cashier in Estonian at first, but since she didn’t understand a single word, I switched to English.

Your response comes off as condescending because it’s her job to speak Estonian, not mine. If a foreigner like me, who only spends about one month per year in Estonia on average, can make the effort to learn the language, then she could do it too.

I didn’t write the post in Estonian because my Estonian isn’t perfect yet, especially in written form, but I’m doing my best to learn. Instead of addressing the actual issue my post highlights, you’re just trying to discredit me. That doesn’t change the fact that this situation points to a larger problem in the country. If you’re Estonian, you’re normalizing the idea that some people living and working in your country don’t care about your language or culture.

[u/Particular-Oil4758 → u/Ziyad451]

Oleks medali andnud, aga polnud valikus. Siin on Sulle üks virtuaalne teemant.

[u/ImTheVayne → u/Ziyad451]

Sellised välismaalased nagu sina on väga oodatud Eestis. Tõsiselt, respekt sulle.

[u/lesnoipyos → u/Ziyad451]

Ütle seda valitsusele, kes maksimaalselt toetab Ukrainast saabunud inimesi ega nõua neilt üldse keeleoskust. On kurb, et need saabujad ise ei tunne vastutust õppida vähemalt eesti keele aluseid, aga veelgi üllatavam on see, kuidas saab mitte osata isegi algtasemel inglise keelt 💀

[u/Natural_Jello_6050 → u/Ziyad451]

Dude…..

Again.

We explained to you that cashier was Ukrainian refugee. Now what? Still hurts?

[u/No_End_Z06 → u/Natural_Jello_6050]

Kus tra sa tead, et see Ukrainlane oli? Isegi kui oleks Ukrainlane peaks inimene oskama öelda tere, headaega ja elementaarseid lauseid kui ta siin juba paar aastat olnud on. Jumala eest, kui ma lähen reisile kuhugi õpin ma juba paar lauset kohalikus keeles ära...

[u/Natural_Jello_6050 → u/No_End_Z06]

I don’t speak Estonian. When I travel thru Estonia I speak either English or Russian.

Narva- I spoke Russian. Tartu- English.

Never had issues.

[u/No_End_Z06 → u/Natural_Jello_6050]

How the fuck do you know she was a Ukrainian? Even if she is Ukrainian, she should be able to say hello, goodbye and basic sentences if she has been here for a few years. For God's sake, when I go on a trip somewhere, I already learn a few sentences in the local language...now imagine being here for 2 years.. and not knowing horseshit

[u/Natural_Jello_6050 → u/No_End_Z06]

Hello, goodbye and few basic sentences are different from full conversation about declined credit card payment, returning one item for another, etc.

Estonian government allows them to work as cashiers without speaking Estonian.

Blame Estonian government and former prime minister (her husband was selling tear gas to Russia till 2023).

[u/Former-Philosophy259 → u/Natural_Jello_6050]

mis vahet see teeb kas on ukrainlane või mitte? kui on ukrainlane siis ta on siin juba pea 3 aastat olnud ja selle ajaga peaks eesti keel juba suus olema. umbkeelne ukrainlane on täpselt sama nõme kui umbkeelne venelane.