Vent/rant about unclear speech

[Foolacious]

When I cannot understand someone speaking to me -- usually but not always over the phone -- and I ask them to (1) slow down, or (2) speak louder, or (3) speak more clearly, why is it impossible for some of said folks to do any of those three things? This happens both with English (my native language) and with Spanish (I live in Mexico). Clearly, it's not universally impossible, since many people are indeed able to adjust appropriately. What I don't get is why this ability isn't universal. I think I have observed this disability most frequently in adolescents and young adults, but I haven't actually kept careful statistics.

[PoliticAverse]

1. Slow down!...

[Binkie The Clown]

2. I've noticed that young people often speak too fast and fail to enunciate their words clearly.

I find it annoying. Yes, I'm an old codger (75) but my hearing is perfect and I still quite often have trouble understanding younger people. Oddly, Spanish speakers, in my experience, seem to be more willing to slow down a little for this Gringo, but then the ones I speak to know I've only been studying Spanish for 4 or 5 years so they tend to be patient with me.

[murielm99]

3. I have no problem asking people to slow down.

It happens most on the phone. If I call about a service or a problem, I expect to be able to understand what the person is saying. I have exasperated some people by insisting they speak slowly and clearly. I am not talking about people who speak with accented English. Most of them seem willing to slow down, speak up, or whatever is necessary.

I think that many people who provide telephone customer service get used to saying the same things over and over. They hurry though their usual speeches.

You have a right to ask people to make themselves clear.

BTW, my hearing is perfect as well. I have been tested recently.