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munchkinbugs
My little loves!
Member since 1/06 8093 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by Redhead
Posted by babybug631
The woman that made the comment should not have said it the way she did. I agree.
If it was personal, than they should do what all of us english-speaking people do--go in another room.
What work related instance could possibly force them to speak in spanish???
well then i am going to have to agree to disagree
and i have this happen on a daily basis..
i work with a LOT of people who speak both French and Spanish
and i could careless if they speak it...
it doesn't bother me in the least...
never even occurred to me that it should
agreed.
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Posted 10/24/06 4:29 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Aga
hello baby Albert
Member since 9/05 7750 total posts
Name:
Aga
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by babybug631
Posted by Aga
Posted by babybug631
Posted by Aga
Posted by WhatNow
Posted by Aga
Posted by WhatNow
Even outside of the office, it is just plain rude. I mean, this is something I was taught when i was 5: don't point with your finger, don't whisper in front of others and don't engage in a conversation in a foreign language in front of people who don't understand it.
so let me understand this: so we need to speak English so someone else can listen to our conversation if they want to?  even if they are not part of that conversation... we should make other people feel comfortable, so they dont think that we are talking about them?... sorry, I dont get your reasoning...
In a professional American office you need to speak English because you are in an American office and doing otherwise is unprofessional and rude. And the given situation was in an office
In your personal life, what ever you please! However, try imagining yourself in a group of 3 people and two of them all of a sudden start a conversation in a foreign language you don't understand, completely ignoring you. How comfortable would that be...
Like I already mentioned, it's about common good manners, and good manners actually ARE all about making people around us comfortable. Kind of like holding a door for a person behind you. Will it kill him if you don't-- of course not, but will it be nice and decent of you to be courteous- most certainly!
I understand about the office but you said outside the office too
I knew a girl who was middle eastern, but she spoke 5 languages--including russian. She was online somewhere and two russian guys were talking trash about her and her country. She confronted them about it in russian. Their jaws fell to the floor.
This is a perfect example of why it is rude to do that. Talk trash about someone while you're right in front of them. Have a laugh at that persons expense. That's rude.
Even if these two co-workers were talking about the weather, they should do it in english.
see I dont really care if some stranger is talking about me and what they are saying about me... I have other things to worry about, I am not going to worry about what people might be saying about me, especially if they dont know me at all... most of the time it is just paranoia anyways, people only THINK that someone is talking about them....
Well I don't like being the butt of anyone else's joke. Like I said earlier I've had men say degrading things about me in front of my face (in spanish), and when I found out what they were saying I was PO'd. You would be too.
maybe I would be po'd, but will it change anything that I knew what they said? their behavior only proves of what kind of people they are, it has nothing to do with you...
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:30 PM |
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munchkinbugs
My little loves!
Member since 1/06 8093 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by Aga
Posted by babybug631
Posted by Aga
Posted by babybug631
Posted by Aga
Posted by WhatNow
Posted by Aga
Posted by WhatNow
Even outside of the office, it is just plain rude. I mean, this is something I was taught when i was 5: don't point with your finger, don't whisper in front of others and don't engage in a conversation in a foreign language in front of people who don't understand it.
so let me understand this: so we need to speak English so someone else can listen to our conversation if they want to? even if they are not part of that conversation... we should make other people feel comfortable, so they dont think that we are talking about them?... sorry, I dont get your reasoning...
In a professional American office you need to speak English because you are in an American office and doing otherwise is unprofessional and rude. And the given situation was in an office
In your personal life, what ever you please! However, try imagining yourself in a group of 3 people and two of them all of a sudden start a conversation in a foreign language you don't understand, completely ignoring you. How comfortable would that be...
Like I already mentioned, it's about common good manners, and good manners actually ARE all about making people around us comfortable. Kind of like holding a door for a person behind you. Will it kill him if you don't-- of course not, but will it be nice and decent of you to be courteous- most certainly!
I understand about the office but you said outside the office too
I knew a girl who was middle eastern, but she spoke 5 languages--including russian. She was online somewhere and two russian guys were talking trash about her and her country. She confronted them about it in russian. Their jaws fell to the floor.
This is a perfect example of why it is rude to do that. Talk trash about someone while you're right in front of them. Have a laugh at that persons expense. That's rude.
Even if these two co-workers were talking about the weather, they should do it in english.
see I dont really care if some stranger is talking about me and what they are saying about me... I have other things to worry about, I am not going to worry about what people might be saying about me, especially if they dont know me at all... most of the time it is just paranoia anyways, people only THINK that someone is talking about them....
Well I don't like being the butt of anyone else's joke. Like I said earlier I've had men say degrading things about me in front of my face (in spanish), and when I found out what they were saying I was PO'd. You would be too.
maybe I would be po'd, but will it change anything that I knew what they said? their behavior only proves of what kind of people they are, it has nothing to do with you...
yeah...but imagine what an azz you feel like when these men are having a conversation about you---in front of you--and you are just sitting there smiling thinking to yourself "I wonder what they're saying". It's a sh!tty feeling.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:32 PM |
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Diva
I am what I am
Member since 12/05 2825 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by Redhead
But how do you know what they were doing?
Was this a personal conversation?
if so...then it shouldn't matter what language you are speaking in? It is a PERSONAL conversation and no matter what profession you are it is ridiculous that anyone would have to feel they need to speak ENGLISH just because they live in america
and
2. How does one know that they are not speaking it because of something job related?
the person who made the comment was in fact IGNORANT of the circumstances and should have left their comment to themselves
Couldnt have said it more eloquently.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:32 PM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by Juliet
On a personal note: I have to say that it drives me crazy that DH speaks to his parents in Polish (his native language) in front of me. I understand that it is easiest for all of them, but when I am around I would like to understand what is going on. I am especially annoyed when this happens in my house. I should never feel like a secret is being kept from me in my house.
I have learned to live with that. The worst is when my DH and my mom are speaking quickly in Hebrew and I can't follow. At least I know he talking badly about me 
ETA: A few years ago DH tried to throw me a surprise party. He was talking to his sister in Hebrew about it and didn't realize I understood what he was saying  Needless to say, there was no surprise.
Message edited 10/24/2006 4:36:30 PM.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:33 PM |
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SoinLove
Making big changes
Member since 5/05 16541 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by Diva
Wow, that was really rude. Regardless of their jobs, it was a personal conversation. For the other woman to eavesdrop and then state her opinion is uncalled for.
ITA
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:38 PM |
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Juliet
Family is Complete!
Member since 5/05 5913 total posts
Name:
Juliet
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by Shellyesq
Posted by Juliet
On a personal note: I have to say that it drives me crazy that DH speaks to his parents in Polish (his native language) in front of me. I understand that it is easiest for all of them, but when I am around I would like to understand what is going on. I am especially annoyed when this happens in my house. I should never feel like a secret is being kept from me in my house.
I have learned to live with that. The worst is when my DH and my mom are speaking quickly in Hebrew and I can't follow. At least I know he talking badly about me
ETA: A few years ago DH tried to throw me a surprise party. He was talking to his sister in Hebrew about it and didn't realize I understood what he was saying Needless to say, there was no surprise.
Ahh, now that is an example of why you should not use another language as a way of keeping a secret. You never know what others can understand...or misunderstand.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:44 PM |
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KGools
Happy
Member since 9/06 9532 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
My opinion.... This is America... half of the population DOESN'T speak English.
People really annoy me! 
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:47 PM |
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Juliet
Family is Complete!
Member since 5/05 5913 total posts
Name:
Juliet
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
In regard to the original post, I have to wonder if the person who made the rude comment really intended it for the interpreters or if the pressures of a lot of different experiences with foreign languages being spoken caused some feelings of inadequacy and then the outburst.
I am too optimistic. Maybe the person is just cranky.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:48 PM |
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ggt08
;)
Member since 5/05 5208 total posts
Name:
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
I am dying to know what my Korean nail gals are saying about me in their native tongue!!!
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| Posted 10/24/06 5:50 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
I think that people should make an effort to speak conversationally in their native language as well as English. In the workplace, too many different languages can often leave people feeling alienated and that is uncomfortable.
It is a requirement of many schools, (possibly the state) for a child to be exposed to or take a certain number of HS credits in a foreign language. I started in middle school and continued through college. I now speak conversational Spanish (slowly, but enough to get by and communicate with people). Those of you who know me, know that I do not appear as if Spanish would be my native tongue. I have found myself in many situations where people who DO speak Spanish as a first language will speak right in front of me and about me assuming I cannot understand one thing they are saying. When I tell them, in Spanish, that I do know what they are saying, they look at me like deer in headlights.
Maybe learning a new language will help people feel less paranoid. Maybe not
Here is a great story:
I once went for jury duty and a man, who was a naturalized citizen was asked why he felt he could not serve. He looked at he judge and said "I don't speak English." So the judge asks him how long he was in the country and when he replied "Thirty years," the judge looked at him and said he should be ashamed of himself.
Message edited 10/24/2006 6:17:44 PM.
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| Posted 10/24/06 6:16 PM |
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Jesaroo
is not the girl you knew
Member since 5/05 14266 total posts
Name:
Jes
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
private conversations dont bother me at all..... (unless ppl are talking about me in abother language)
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| Posted 10/24/06 6:18 PM |
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KGools
Happy
Member since 9/06 9532 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by WhatNow
Posted by Ophelia
It is so ethnocentric and narrowminded...unless your ancestors are English, NO ONE CAME HERE SPEAKING ENGLISH, and it is shameful that so many of us lost a part of our cultural history trying to assimilate..
Nobody is saying that people should never speak their native tong and lose all their identity. What's rude is speaking a language in front of those who do not speak it. Even outside of the office, it is just plain rude. I mean, this is something i was taught when i was 5: don't point with your finger, don't whisper in front of others and don't engage in a conversation in a foreign language in front of people who don't understand it.
This is really about common good manners, not really a PC issue and who came here speaking what language.
Now speaking of good manners, the way the woman addressed her comment was very rude, but the point she was making was valid.
Sooo, lemme just get this straight... if we were having a conversation in English (whether it be at work or outside of work) and there happened to be two Aisan people near us, we should just assume that they speak English and continue our conversation?? What if they didn't speak a lick of English, should we not have our conversation? In other words, does what you're saying apply to those non-English speaking people who are near an English-speaking conversation???
Edited for spelling
Message edited 10/24/2006 7:03:37 PM.
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| Posted 10/24/06 7:02 PM |
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Maathy317
Grammie's Little Man
Member since 2/06 3235 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by kdelace
I am dying to know what my Korean nail gals are saying about me in their native tongue!!!
Me too.
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| Posted 10/24/06 7:17 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by Lolita4Life
private conversations dont bother me at all..... (unless ppl are talking about me in abother language)
I agree
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| Posted 10/24/06 7:26 PM |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22132 total posts
Name:
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by eroxgirl
Posted by WhatNow
I am not sure about this particular situation with both those people being interpreters, although they weren't interpreting anything at the moment, right?
However, I find it very unprofessional and plan rude for people to converse in a language other than English in an American office.
English is not my first language and I used to work with someone who spoke the same language as me. We always made sure to never use our native language in the office around other people. It is very rude, and not only in a professional setting, IMO. If there are other people around you, it's probably best to use English, otherwise it becomes something similar to whispering in front of other people, KWIM?
I completely agree with this, especially the whispering part.
I do think the comment "this is America, speak English" was completely rude. However, I also find it rude when people have conversations in another language in front of people who do not understand that language. I worked in an office where this happened constantly - two women would speak Spanish while the rest of us sat there listening. And they would CONSTANTLY talk about everyone around them. They didn't realize I understand Spanish. I thoroughly enjoyed the look on their faces when I answered them in English one day. 
Agree completely.
I'm sorry, but I may be in the minority. If one person in the conversation doesn't know english, fine, but if both do and can speak it fluently, it's rude. My BIL and SIL do this and it pisses me off. I may not care one iota about your conversation and I will mind my own business, but you must be saying something you don't want me to hear if you got to speak in another language.
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| Posted 10/24/06 7:50 PM |
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BabyAvocado
Happy New Year
Member since 5/05 17334 total posts
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by WhatNow
I am not sure about this particular situation with both those people being interpreters, although they weren't interpreting anything at the moment, right?
However, I find it very unprofessional and plan rude for people to converse in a language other than English in an American office.
English is not my first language and I used to work with someone who spoke the same language as me. We always made sure to never use our native language in the office around other people. It is very rude, and not only in a professional setting, IMO. If there are other people around you, it's probably best to use English, otherwise it becomes something similar to whispering in front of other people, KWIM?
I have to disagree. How could it be considered unprofessional if 90% of the people in that office's profession IS to speak another language. Quite the contrary, IMO.
I just found the comment so ironic (I guess that's the word) that she would say "this is America, speak english" meanwhile BECAUSE it's America, we have interpreters and are required to have them by law in certain situations...and that's the office she was working in.
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| Posted 10/24/06 8:17 PM |
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