Do you hate people who refuse to communicate in English and insists on their own language?

[her209]

For example, you have to deal with the public and someone comes/calls in and immediately insists on speaking to you in their native language (which you don't speak) and/or requests someone who does speak their native language. And to top it off, they act as if there is something wrong with you because you can't communicate with them in their language. WTF!?

My parents and I came to this country as immigrants and after they took classes at an adult school, they could read/write/speak basic English after a couple of years of getting here with absolutely nothing but the clothes on their back. I, on the other hand, went through the public school system, K-12. Why can't these people do the same?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Silly French

 

[Arcadio]

I am mildly bothered by that, OP. I speak English very fluently and accurately, but many people I meet still insist on speaking to me in Spanish, even though we both know that I actually communicate better in English since it's the language I use 90% of the time.

 

[oogabooga]

I had a customer bitch me out cause we didn't have a Spanish speaking support rep. I can understand preferring to speak with a rep in another language, but to bitch about that option not being available? We're not some large multinational company, just a small software company not big enough to have support in ever language. At least I think she was bitching since I only know a couple spanish words, half of which are curses and that's all I heard her yell before she hung up.

 

[GeekDrew]

Yes, I do, and I feel that hate is not strong enough, rather than too strong.

 

[WA261]

Originally posted by: oogabooga
I had a customer bitch me out cause we didn't have a Spanish speaking support rep. I can understand preferring to speak with a rep in another language, but to bitch about that option not being available? We're not some large multinational company, just a small software company not big enough to have support in ever language. At least I think she was bitching since I only know a couple spanish words, half of which are curses and that's all I heard her yell before she hung up.

Good for you guys. Screw them if they can't speak English.

 

[Platypus]

America is a melting pot and English is not the official language of this country.

Does it bother me? No, I have more important things to worry about than some trite bullshit like this. Should people attempt to assimilate into the local culture? Absolutely.

 

[BurnItDwn]

If somebody is talking to another person and they both speak the language then that's fine. If somebody calls me in non-english and expects me to get a translator, then no, the burden of finding a translator is on them.

 

[JaYp146]

Sure is great to live in Ohio ...

 

[Jeeebus]

I worked at Circuit City many a year ago while in college (in FL). Lady came in one day and started talking to me in Spanish. I did not speak Spanish and politely told her that I only spoke English. She stormed off. About an hour later, the store manager calls me into his office and tells me there was a customer complaint about me. He's trying hard to hold back his laughter as he explains that a lady complained that she knew I spoke Spanish and refused to speak it to her. My response... "Lo siento."

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Yep. I'm multilingual, but I still find it annoying when someone assumes that I speak their language - it should be an added bonus. The best part about being multilingual is when people don't know you are - you wait to see if they start saying something inflammatory, then you tell them to shut up.

 

[sandorski]

No. We'd have a problem of communicating though.

 

[OCGuy]

No me gusta

 

[coldmeat]

http://network.nationalpost.co...lish-calls-police.aspx

 

[venkman]

i can speak spanish, so no major problem. I just have to remind them to slow down

 

[sash1]

no

 

[sdifox]

I have a few languages at my disposal. If they start speaking to me in a business environment in a language other than the official one, I'll reply in some other language.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: coldmeat
http://network.nationalpost.co...lish-calls-police.aspx

Quebec, a distinct and separate society.

I would like them to have the balls to actually separate.

 

[JDawg1536]

Originally posted by: Platypus
America is a melting pot and English is not the official language of this country.

Does it bother me? No, I have more important things to worry about than some trite bullshit like this. Should people attempt to assimilate into the local culture? Absolutely.

Enlighten us. What is it that you have to worry about that is so important. I mean, other than responding to shit you don't care about.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew
Yes, I do, and I feel that hate is not strong enough, rather than too strong.

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
If somebody is talking to another person and they both speak the language then that's fine. If somebody calls me in non-english and expects me to get a translator, then no, the burden of finding a translator is on them.

While English is not the "official language" of these United States, it SHOULD be.

Government agencies, companies, stores, and shops should NOT be required to speak 11 different languages, to conduct business in any language other than English, nor REQUIRE their employees to speak any language other than English. Being multi-lingual is indeed a plus, but should not be a job requirement for any job.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Platypus
America is a melting pot and English is not the official language of this country.

Does it bother me? No, I have more important things to worry about than some trite bullshit like this. Should people attempt to assimilate into the local culture? Absolutely.

Assimilating to our culture, without losing their own - I am not saying that, would be to learn the language of the country they are residing in.

I loved it when a guy I know, blonde hair, blue eyed, totally non-hispanic looking guy, was working in a U.S. clothing store and he overheard two females speaking in Spanish (thinking he wouldn't understand them obviously). They were talking about ripping the place off. Which they did, and which he understood beforehand, and promptly caught them leading to their subsequent arrest.

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: Arcadio
I am mildly bothered by that, OP. I speak English very fluently and accurately, but many people I meet still insist on speaking to me in Spanish, even though we both know that I actually communicate better in English since it's the language I use 90% of the time.

yea.. im gonna go ahead and call shens on this.

i dont know too many spanish people that forget to use an h

 

[sao123]

i believe in strong national and cultural identities... you should assume the identity of the area in which you intend to live.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: GeekDrew
Yes, I do, and I feel that hate is not strong enough, rather than too strong.

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
If somebody is talking to another person and they both speak the language then that's fine. If somebody calls me in non-english and expects me to get a translator, then no, the burden of finding a translator is on them.

While English is not the "official language" of these United States, it SHOULD be.

Government agencies, companies, stores, and shops should NOT be required to speak 11 different languages, to conduct business in any language other than English, nor REQUIRE their employees to speak any language other than English. Being multi-lingual is indeed a plus, but should not be a job requirement for any job.

Mostly agree, except for the word any... You better be multi-lingual if you plan to be a translator :laugh:

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: GeekDrew
Yes, I do, and I feel that hate is not strong enough, rather than too strong.

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
If somebody is talking to another person and they both speak the language then that's fine. If somebody calls me in non-english and expects me to get a translator, then no, the burden of finding a translator is on them.

While English is not the "official language" of these United States, it SHOULD be.

Government agencies, companies, stores, and shops should NOT be required to speak 11 different languages, to conduct business in any language other than English, nor REQUIRE their employees to speak any language other than English. Being multi-lingual is indeed a plus, but should not be a job requirement for any job.

Mostly agree, except for the word any... You better be multi-lingual if you plan to be a translator :laugh:

:laugh: OK, I'll concede that point...