pim, using one phrase or the other ("siempre y cuando" or "siempre que") has nothing to do with good or bad customer service as they are both perfectly correct.

you obviously took the horrible spanish customer service comments made by some on this board WAY too personally.

customer service in spain sucks beacause (amongst other reasons)...

� the spaniards are generally lazy and the work ethic is just about dead here (if it ever existed in the first place).
� many spaniards settle for mediocre jobs that they do not like.

Chica, you are right, it depends on the biz you are in.

saludos,
jer...

Jer, you bet I will stick with the "inferior" language...so as not to mix in with the "inferior" race.

How�s the weather in Mathrith?

"pim, using one phrase or the other ("siempre y cuando" or "siempre que") has nothing to do with good or bad customer service as they are both perfectly correct."

-AGREE - it was you who suggested that 'siempre y cuando' might be a worst option when talking to the "average joe" in response to what I posted AFTER it was clarified that the translation was needed to: "speak on phones for customer service in spanish". I've been there and strongly believe ON THE PHONE, is best to "go formal" (I also like it better as a customer now), that's all.

"you obviously took the horrible spanish customer service comments made by some on this board WAY too personally."

-DISAGREE - you obviously don't remember that each time I've written a post on the subject I've criticized customer service in Spain since to me is quite disastrous! (generally speaking), so jer, I was JOOOKING!

"customer service in spain sucks beacause (amongst other reasons)...

� the spaniards are generally lazy and the work ethic is just about dead here (if it ever existed in the first place).
� many spaniards settle for mediocre jobs that they do not like."

-DISAGREE/AGREE - That's a HUGE generalization on your part, and if we are lazy, it's compared to whom? It's a little relative....maybe other peoples are more the workaholic type, or center their lives around their jobs more because....they don't know any better , who knows....Besides, when you travel a little throughout Spain you realize the level of "calmness" varies depending on the regions due to the weather conditions and many other cultural differences, etc....And as for the second part, unfortunately my friend that's a sad fact that is true all over the world, I'm afraid. You yourself are quite a priviledged person in that aspect, and you should know it, damn it!

quote:

That's a HUGE generalization on your part

yes, i never said it was not, hence my use of the word "generally"

quote:

maybe other peoples are more the workaholic type, or center their lives around their jobs more because....they don't know any better...

i was not referring to the workaholic types, i was referring to taking pride in ones work. there is a huge difference between centering ones life around his/her job and doing ones job well and with pride in what one does. a workaholic can work 20 hours a day, 7 days a week and still do a shitty job, one thing has nothing to do with the other.

quote:

Besides, when you travel a little throughout Spain you realize the level of "calmness" varies depending on the regions due to the weather conditions and many other cultural differences, etc....

i have (quite possibly) travelled around spain more than anyone else on this board. i have been to over 75 cities & villages in every region of spain and i was not referring to the "calmness". i was referring to the total disinterest in the jobs that a huge part of the spanish work force carry out.

saludos,
jer...

:z: :z: :z:
This is getting boooriiing....

Now, you will agree with me on this one, right Jer?:

Am I a native Spanish speaker? -OK, thanks!

(You've critisized the way I express myself in English in the past, but this time I have to tell you I don't think is right for you to do so with my Spanish, but, 'en fin',...whatever...it's your board....and I'm only trying to help)


Pr0x1mo, I forgot to mention that I currently have to answer the phone constantly (mostly in Spanish) as well! At UPS years ago that is all I did -unfortunately-, but these days I continue to experience what is like to talk to/help customers from all walks of life....

:cheers:

I agree with pim: "siempre y cuando" (+ SUBJUNCTIVE) is not that posh and "cursi", even though it is quite formal. In a customer care context -with which I am also quite familiarised (por suerte o por desgracia )- it is perfectly possible, and I would dare say advisable, to use it as an equivalent for "as long as".

Other less formal equivalents would be "mientras" or "siempre que..." (always followed by subjunctive tenses of verbs if we want to keep a conditional meaning that "as long as" seems to convey in English in most cases and in the context proposed by Pr0x1mo).

:cheers: