Accents And Understanding

We have many new Canadians as well as visitors from other lands who come to Canada where our offical languages are English and French. Most of the time, I can understand through the accents of our newcomers, what they are saying in English, but there are times when it is so difficult that I must, for practical reasons, resort to asking to please have another person speak to me. It isn't being unkind or insulting or racist, it is simply a matter of getting the business done, and one hopes that the situation is understood also, by the person who is trying to speak English well. One must use a polite and respectful tone when this situation arises. I was rather desperate to have some clear instructions and the help line person was trying hard also. She knew her work but it was just that I simply could not get past her accent that was a lot of very rapid words in a stacatto like manner. I really could not understand what she was saying and I tried very hard because I  needed her help. There are many accents that one meets nowadays, but for me to receive instruction from this lady, I had to be able to understand each move. And I could not. I was forced, therefore, to ask for someone else to help me. I had told the aid, that I need her to slow down so that I could follow her instructions, but she continued to go on and on without doing that. She was very annoyed with me when I had to ask her over and over,  to stop and explain again. Finally she became rude to me by slowing down her voice and droning out at great length, each word that I still could not fathom. It was a very embarrassing situation and she finally had to put me on to another person. The new man also had an accent, but it was one I could easily recognise and work through. I was left feeling badly that the first helper was so insulted and angry. I felt that I had done something wrong, but it was one of those times that needed something to be fixed and to have clear instructions  for getting it fixed. I am sure that if I were in the lady's  country, I would be at a loss to learn her language, too. I am not great at languages even though I have an fairly good education. The lady helper knew the English language but it was her special accent that just didn't work for me. Accents are welcome and add much to the colour of the Canadian mosaic but sometimes it is easy and other times, hard to untie their gift of trying very hard to learn out language so that they are understood. I appreciate that very much.