We're in America... Right?

[peapod1980]

Yes, we're in America. Which is why what you seem bothered by actually serves as a perfect example of how our country works. A person can walk into a restaurant, order in the country's native tongue, and then turn to someone else and speak another language altogether. What a country! We have the freedom to speak whatever language we want, whenever we want. I say kudos to her for being able to do it, because as a nation, we are infamous for knowing English only.

 

[avalon]

I like to practise my "no muy bien" Spanish when I get a chance with someone willing to have me butcher their language. They usually give me a little lesson for free. I think there is a difference in the occasional opportunity to speak your native tougue and a refusal to learn English. Maybe a second (or third) language is a good thing for everybody.

 

[Rudyjohn]

This is a new one to me - - that those conversing in a foreign language might be talking about me!

Even tho I'm usually suspicious that some English speaking folks are. :roll:

 

[Bobby J]

I don't get why this is rude?

 

[30A Skunkape]

Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than when I am in the nail parlor and the Vietnamese women all look at me and one proclaims something like 'dang bang trang' and they collectively giggle.

 

[DD]

Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than when I am in the nail parlor and the Vietnamese women all look at me and one proclaims something like 'dang bang trang' and they collectively giggle.

You and Elaine.

 

[tistheseason]

It can be rude. But not in the context you described. They weren't there with you and they weren't in the middle of a conversation with you. (and I assure you it was not about you, how did they know you didn't know Spanish?) Often people can speak English, but find it easier to speak in their native tongue. When we are in Spain, my head starts to hurt after a while of trying to speak in Spanish. And I have a hard time expressing nuances in meanings (due to the fact that I pretty much only know the present tense). And there are some times when I am so tired that I don't have the energy to talk in anything other than English -- and my husband just has to translate for me.

I'm sure the same thing happens to people when English is their second (or third or fourth) language.

 

[CPort]

Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than when I am in the nail parlor and the Vietnamese women all look at me and one proclaims something like 'dang bang trang' and they collectively giggle.

you won't do Skunky!

 

[Minnie]

Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than when I am in the nail parlor and the Vietnamese women all look at me and one proclaims something like 'dang bang trang' and they collectively giggle.

That is hilarious, as I was thinking of that when I read this thread.

I was in one of the SoWal nail places this April and a lady walked in and suddenly the staff starting talking and laughing and my nail tech, said in English, oh "My, they are going to get in trouble again."

I asked and he said they are always getting in trouble talking about the customers without them knowing it and someone came in and did understand what was being said.

 

[scooterbug44]

Yes, we're in America (aka the melting pot) you xenophobe.................which means we are free to speak whatever language we wish, even more so when we are doing so as a way to make someone feel welcome!

IMO you can complain about people in America choosing to speak a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th language when you become fluent in the language of every foreign country you visit. Americans in general expect the world to speak fluent English, yet biatch when people in America who speak 2 or more languages are not 100% fluent or choose anything besides the mish-mash that is "american" as their chosen conversational language.

Ciao, off to meet mis amigos for hors'd' oeuvres! Hope they serve the dessert mit schlag! ;-)