Language ruckus at Maccas

A McDonald's manager who suggested an unhappy customer should learn to speak Chinese has been criticised by her superiors.

Nicola Ireland and her boyfriend Michael Schuster went to McDonald's in Panmure last Sunday and ordered a mochaccino.

"I couldn't understand what the Asian attendant was saying," says Ireland, "and she got annoyed and said 'I already told you'."

Ireland complained to the shift manager and Schuster said the attendant needed to learn English.

Ireland alleges they were told: "It's not our problem you can't speak Chinese."

"I was bewildered, it made me feel like I don't belong here."

Shift manager Shan Shan told the Herald on Sunday she recalled saying, "If one day you could speak Chinese properly that would be good".

"People are trying hard to speak English. I know it's not appropriate to speak to customers like that, but they were so rude to us."

A McDonald's spokesman said it was their understanding that Schuster became aggressive while attempting to place an order for a McCafe product at the restaurant, which does not have a McCafe.

"Unfortunately, our shift manager has not dealt with the situation appropriately, responding in the heat of the moment, and has been reminded of our policy with regard to dealing with aggressive customers."