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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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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.
I was referring to the general comment
"this is America. speak English" the comment itself if rude and just plain hogwash (an American term  )
I think it is very situational. if you are locking someone out of a convo by speaking another language IN FRONT OF THEM, that's one thing, but I cannot help, nor am I going to care too much, if I am speaking to someone else and another person happens to be in earshot. to me, there is a difference.
Message edited 10/24/2006 3:32:52 PM.
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Posted 10/24/06 3:30 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
i think that the third party had their cranky pants on too tight...
i found the comment completely unnecessary and irrelevant
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| Posted 10/24/06 3:31 PM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by Ophelia
I was referring to the general comment
"this is America. speak English" the comment itself if rude and just plain hogwash (an American term )
I think it is very situational. if you are locking someone out of a convo by speaking another language IN FRONT OF THEM, that's one thing, but I cannot help, nor am I going to care too much, if I am speaking to someone else and another person happens to be in earshot. to me, there is a difference.
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| Posted 10/24/06 3:33 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!"
Not for nothing, but lets stick to the topic of the original post.
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| Posted 10/24/06 3:38 PM |
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Tine73
Member since 3/06 22093 total posts
Name:
*********
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Being totally honest, I have wanted to say that many times, but I would never in a million years do so.
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| Posted 10/24/06 3:48 PM |
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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 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...
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| Posted 10/24/06 3:58 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!"
Having been in a situation where people at work were talking about me in spanish (I know because one of the other guys told me what they were saying) I can kind of sympathize with the woman. These men were saying degrading things about my assets--let's just leave it at that.
It happened to me at school also. A bunch of guys were speaking in spanish and I later found out that they were having a conversation about my chest. Right in front of me!!!!!
I think it is rude when people can speak english and yet speak in in another language.
Maybe the woman didn't approach the situation correctly. But I see where she's coming from.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:04 PM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
This has caused such work issues for DH in the past. He speaks spanish. He works in restaurants and there are a ton of guys who speak spanish in the kitchens.
He hates when they speak spanish. He hates knowing what they are saying. Openly, there has been discussions about sneaking out steaks, or calling in sick the following day. I am sure the non-spanish guys do the same things, but its not spoken out in the open.
So...DH hears this. He wishes he didn't. He absolutely hates being the whistleblower. He will take them aside and threaten them, but then they call him a sellout
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:10 PM |
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WhatNow
Say Cheese!
Member since 1/06 8033 total posts
Name:
A (formerly WhatNow?)
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
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!
Message edited 10/24/2006 4:12:26 PM.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:11 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
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
!
BUT their profession is INTERPRETOR?
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:14 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 Redhead
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
!
BUT their profession is INTERPRETOR?
Yeah...but they're not interpreting each other. They both know how to speak spanish.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:15 PM |
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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 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
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:16 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by babybug631
Posted by Redhead
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
!
BUT their profession is INTERPRETOR?
Yeah...but they're not interpreting each other. They both know how to speak spanish.
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
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:18 PM |
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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!"
my bottom line: people are way to sensitive...
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:19 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 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.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:20 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by Aga
my bottom line: people are way to sensitive...
IMO it is peopel are tooo nosey
IMO it is one thing if this person was IN the conversations to begin with and then the two non-english people started speaking in a different language
BUT to walk into a conversation that did NOT involve the person...To make a comment on what was said or how it is being said
IS STUPID
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:21 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
I think it was rude & inappropriate if it was a private discussion.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:22 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!"
The comment was rude and uncalled for but I think the interpreters didn't use good judgment in using their native tongue in the office for non-work purposes. There are a million opportunities to practice Spanish in NY that I don't think it is necessary to use it in the office.
That being said I have NO problem with people using their native tongues in public.
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.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:23 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 Redhead
Posted by babybug631
Posted by Redhead
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
!
BUT their profession is INTERPRETOR?
Yeah...but they're not interpreting each other. They both know how to speak spanish.
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
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???
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:24 PM |
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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 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....
Message edited 10/24/2006 4:25:39 PM.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:25 PM |
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WhatNow
Say Cheese!
Member since 1/06 8033 total posts
Name:
A (formerly WhatNow?)
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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.
This is exactly what was was talking about when I mentioned good manners. THIS is not good manners as Juliet felt uncomfortable and the whole idea of having good manners is to never make other people feel that way.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:26 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
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
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:27 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 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.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:28 PM |
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Tany
Becoming a different woman
Member since 5/05 24460 total posts
Name:
Tania
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
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....
i agree !!!!
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:28 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: "This is America, Speak English!"
Posted by babybug631
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.
if someone is going to be an azzhole, they are going to be in any language. the only difference is, if they only speak English, they'll do it OUT of earshot. does that make you feel better? changing the language makes no difference...they are still commenting on you.
very few people would guess that I speak and understand Spanish, I have caught people out there on more than one occassion.
I actually ENJOY the cacophony of sound that I hear in the streets and my office of all the different languages..it's what makes this country "unique and special"
what happened to the ideas of "freedom and tolerance" THAT is what this country is based on. we are a country of immigrants...not even the "Real" americans...the Native Americans, speak english as a first language. People need to get over themselves...and STOP being so self conscious. chances are, it's NOT you. I am not saying it doesn't happen, but people have other things they can talk about, I am sure.
Message edited 10/24/2006 4:30:32 PM.
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| Posted 10/24/06 4:29 PM |
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