What is the most polite way?

Question

Please excuse my ignorance, I’m wanting to learn though. 
I work in a bank and we often have people come in who speak different languages. They will often bring someone with them to translate. During these interactions is it more polite to speak to the interpreter? Or directly to the person who doesn’t understand me? 
For example when asking for identification is it better to say, “do you have ID?” Or to say to the interpreter, “do they have ID?” I’ve never been on the other side of that and would just like to improve how I communicate with people. Does it make a difference or matter?

Answer

The proper way to use an interpreter is to speak to the person directly and let the interpreter translate after you speak. The interpreter is the third person not the second in the conversation. You should rarely have to speak directly to the interpreter. This is respectful because you aren’t talking to the interpreter, you’re conversation is between you and the person who is speaking the other language. This is also true with an asl interpreter

Answer

Speak to your customer. The interpreter will interpret.

Answer

Speak to the customer. Make eye contact with the customer. Like Casey said the interpreter will translate. Your customer will appreciate it more by speaking directly with him/her.

Answer

I would go back and forth between the two with eye contact. You can welcome both. “Hello how are you? How are you?” Many people know the basics in English but don’t feel confident enough in important situations so they like someone for backup. So you can ask them if they have ID but if you notice they keep looking to their translator and are letting the translator do everything, I think it’s fine to talk to the translator and ask them questions. I’d just be sure to occasionally make eye contact and smile at the other person.

Answer

￼￼ My opinion is you should always speak directly to the person you are talking to. That would not be the interpreter. The interpreter will let you know what your client is saying.

Answer

Talk to the person, the interpreter will translate

Answer

I make eye contact with both but your focus is on the customer

Answer

Speak directly to the customer

What is the most polite way?

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