the customer is always right

[mandimoo]

if i quote this phrase to a colleague in spain, will they understand it as a 'phrase' that is commonly used?, or will they just do a literal translation and not really understand it as we do in this country?

[andy-hughes]

I think they will take the phrase at face value.

English is full of such subtleties, and I think it would need someone with a very through grasp of the language and culture to understand the meaning behind this phrase.

[Clanad]

It should be noted, although obvious, that the opposite is equally true. Spanish colloquila phrases (or any foreign language) are often meaningless if translated literally into English. One that comes to mind is the endless use of "de nada" on my frequent trips to Mexico and Central America (not so much in South America for some reason). Literally, it means "to nothing", however a Mexican friend will respond to my "Gracias!" (thank you) with "de nada" and his meaning will be "not at all" or "you're welcome"... another is after enjoying a slice of "Three Kings Cake" at Christmas one might say "Esta tarta est� de muerte"... literally "This tart (or cake) is the death" when it's colloquial for "To really, really good!" (Somewhat akin to "to die for".".
The answer to your question must consider how much, if any, experience the Spanish native speaker has with English. In today's world, most, at least here in the Western Hemisphere, converse readily and know most of our eupheimisims...

[fredpuli47]

Well, I've found a site teaching Spanish , where they give the various ways of saying 'right', with its various meanings in English, in Spanish. One example they give is this very saying, and they translate it as " El cliente siempe tiene razon" [ 'acute' accent on the 'o'] That may mean that they expect it to be understood as is, without elaboration or explanation of the idea behind it.

[Clanad]

Actually, fred's siempe should be siempre... Spanish has almost as many meanins for our word right as does English. Correcto, derecho, correctamente and bueno are but a few, depending on the... well... right context...

[fredpuli47]

Oops! Yes, siempre., Clanad. You note 'de nada'. In French we have 'de rien' use the same way as 'de nada', as ' think nothing of it/ not at all' or the American 'you're welcome' and, like, 'de nada' using the idea of 'nothing',

[dot.hawkes]

you would be better saying in spanish,' customers think they are always right' it is more accurate.