Woman outraged by London airport shop employees talking in Hindi, says she reported them
Hindi at Heathrow
Lucy White took to the social media platform X on July 25 to complain about the Marks & Spencer staffers. 'Just landed in Heathrow Airport T3. Went into M&S. Three staff were speaking in another language,' she claimed.
White asked the employees what language they were speaking in, and was told they were conversing in Hindi – the most widely spoken language in India.
White further claimed she recorded their speech and had plans to report them to Marks & Spencer. 'We must confront them every time,' she wrote.
Her post has gone viral with over 4.6 million views. It proved to be deeply controversial on social media, with some agreeing with White and her take on what language must be spoken in London.
"It's alienating to hear shop assistants speaking in a foreign language in a British store. I wouldn't shop in stores that permit this,' wrote one X user. 'Well, what are you waiting for? Report them,' another said, to which the British woman replied indicating she was in the process of reporting the incident to Marks & Spencer.
The majority of users, however, called out White for being racist and xenophobic, while expecting staffers at one of the world's busiest international airports to speak only English.
'People speaking Hindi at work aren't the problem—you policing languages in a multicultural country is. This isn't the confrontation you think it is. It's just xenophobia,' wrote X user Clare.
'Surely typing 'morning all, I'm a little bit racist' would have been much easier?' another asked sarcastically. 'Why shouldn't people speak a different language when they're talking amongst themselves? And at an international airport too.'
'Urgent, Marks & Spencer. You have multilingual staff working at the world's busiest airport. Please advise,' a third person joked.
(Also read: 'Deport them all': British woman snaps at Indian staff at Heathrow airport for not speaking English)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
12 minutes ago
- Hans India
Who is Adaso Kapesa?
New Delhi: When images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent UK visit surfaced online, it wasn't just the diplomacy or the optics that caught the public eye. It was the confident woman standing right behind him, calmly watching over the scene in a black suit and earpiece, someone who wasn't just present, but commanding attention. People quickly took to social media to praise her presence, and many felt a surge of pride seeing a woman in such a critical role. So, who is she? The woman behind the PM in viral images is Inspector Adaso Kapesa, a trailblazer from Manipur who has made history as the first woman from her state-and the first woman ever-to serve in the Special Protection Group (SPG), India's elite force dedicated to protecting the Prime Minister. Her journey to this prestigious role began in the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), a Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs. She currently serves with the 55th Battalion stationed in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Her inclusion in the SPG marks a watershed moment for women in security and law enforcement in India. Adaso Kapesa's assignment to the Prime Minister's security team is more than just a personal achievement -- it's a symbol of growing gender inclusivity in Indian defence and paramilitary services. Her appearance alongside the PM during his UK visit was a visible sign of progress, one that deeply resonated with women across the country. Social media flooded with messages of admiration and pride. Many users called her a role model, and a powerful example of what determination, discipline, and skill can achieve-regardless of gender. The Special Protection Group is a highly trained and selective force responsible for the personal security of India's Prime Minister and, under certain circumstances, former PMs and their immediate families. Its members go through intense physical, tactical, and psychological training. Until recently, the SPG was an all-male unit. Adaso Kapesa's entry into this elite squad is not just historic-it opens the door for more women to break into high-stakes security roles and redefine what leadership looks like in uniform.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
‘A for Akhilesh', ‘D for Dimple': SP leader booked for politicised alphabets at ‘PDA Pathshala'
An FIR has been lodged against a local Samajwadi Party (SP) leader in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur for allegedly teaching children 'politicised alphabets' during a 'PDA Pathshala'. Akhilesh Yadav slams UP govt over FIR: "Even the British didn't file FIRs for studying... BJP's anti-education face exposed. Now they'll be gone forever. Condemnable."(PTI) Police officials said that a complaint was filed alleging that the children were taught "A for Akhilesh", "B for Babasaheb", "D for Dimple," and 'M for Mulayam Singh Yadav', news agency PTI reported on Sunday. SP City Vyom Bindal said that Main Singh, a resident of Kallarpur Gurjar village, submitted the complaint accusing SP leader Farhad Alam Gada of conducting lessons using 'politicised alphabets' at a so-called 'PDA Pathshala'. The matter surfaced after a video – allegedly filmed at Gada's residence in Ramnagar – emerged on social media and quickly went viral. The children seen in the video were reportedly pupils from a private school and appeared to be dressed in their school uniforms. Akhilesh Yadav reacts Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav criticised the state government over the FIR. Responding to the incident, the former chief minister wrote on 'X', 'Even the British did not file an FIR for studying. The anti-education face of the BJP has now been exposed to the public. Now the BJP will be gone forever. Condemnable.' Meanwhile, Farhad Gada defended himself by saying that the "PDA Pathshala" was not solely focused on teaching the alphabet but aimed to familiarise children with the "great men of Samajwadi ideology." He also expressed his plan to establish similar schools throughout the district. 2 SP leaders booked over 'PDA Pathshala', protest against school merger In a separate case, an FIR was filed on Friday against Samajwadi Party leader Rachna Singh Gautam for allegedly holding an unauthorised "PDA Pathshala" outside a government primary school in Shahampur Garhi village, Bilhaur block, Kanpur. Police also booked another SP leader and around a dozen others in Bhadohi for allegedly involving schoolchildren in a protest against the Uttar Pradesh government's plan to merge schools with low enrolment, according to officials. The FIR includes charges of misusing government premises, spreading misinformation, and politicising children. Officials said the "PDA Pathshala" in Bilhaur breached multiple rules, including those under the IT Act and the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Gautam had reportedly conducted similar sessions in other villages too. As per the complaint by the Block Education Officer (BEO), Gautam held the "pathshala" without authorisation from local authorities and went ahead despite objections from the school staff. Children were allegedly taught political slogans and references tied to the SP's PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) campaign near the school premises. BEO Ravi Kumar Singh confirmed that photos and videos were submitted to the district administration. In the visuals, students can be seen reciting SP-related phrases, while some clips also show allegedly incorrect educational content being taught. Singh added that Gautam herself circulated these on social media.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Bengal BJP MPs to meet Shah today, to discuss migrant issue, RG Kar case
Kolkata: With Bengali migrants, RG Kar case and SIR on their discussion agenda, Bengal BJP MPs are set to meet Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday. While Trinamool, the Left Front and Congress have been stepping up pressure over the harassment of Bengali migrant workers in BJP-governed states, the party's state unit has maintained that no Indian would suffer. BJP's state unit president Samik Bhattacharya asserted that Indian Muslims and Hindus who had migrated to the country from Bangladesh due to persecution had nothing to worry about as long as the saffron party remained in power. "Genuine Indian citizens from Bengal, working in other states, are having their livelihood snatched by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and, in some cases, by Rohingyas," Bhattacharya said while addressing a press conference here. He further alleged that TMC was afraid that the EC would identify fake voters if the SIR was carried out in Bengal. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The MPs are also expected to hand over a "note" outlining "questions" regarding the investigation into the rape and murder of the RG Kar Medical College victim. While state BJP functionaries said that the meeting would primarily focus on organisational matters, they are likely to flag the "alleged gaps" in the probe. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo "Parents of the RG Kar Medical College victim have raised some issues. They have also shown us some documents. We are meeting the Union home minister on Monday. It is primarily an organisational meeting. But we will raise the question from the victim's parents with the appropriate authority," Bhattacharya said. "We feel that the proof was destroyed according to a plan. Altering the place of occurrence was also a part of that plan. Biological evidence was destroyed, the vaginal swab was not stored properly, and the autopsy was conducted after sunset. All of these point to a pre-planned effort to destroy evidence. The way her body was cremated in a hurry also proves that," he added. Bhattacharya, who on Saturday expressed the BJP's solidarity with the August 9 rally to the parents, said, "We cannot commit anything right now. The CBI is not a caged parrot. We can raise the concerns of the parents with the appropriate authorities." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
