We're in America... Right?

[Miss Critter]

I see your jive and raise you one Pootie Tang. . .

 

[Alicia Leonard]

So would you also critize someone for using sign language in front of you???

You are assuming that she is a tourist. How to you NOT know that they know each other from outside of Joey's. Maybe they have kids on a soccer team together, Maybe she works with his spouse, Maybe they go to the Spanish language mass together. You never know.

Unless you spent a couple of months learning, I doubt you would know fluent Italian before you went. I spent a summer in Paris, I did learn enough to get by while I was there, and being there helped a lot with learning the language, but I was no where near fluent.

OH and I couldn't let this go....



I guess it skipped your mind to type fluent English in your post or are you typing AMERICAN.

I have no issues with someone being able to speak their native language in American for many of the reasons other posters have mentioned. But, I have been in the situation of being in a conversation between four people and then two turned to each other and use sign language in order to have a private conversation in front of us and exclude us. It was rude. Neither was deaf and it was used to keep us from understanding what they were talking about in front of us. If you want to have a private conversation then move away and have it. But don't do it in front of someone. I have also been in situations where people used a second language to keep me from understanding their conversation, such as walking past a group of men that can speak English but chose not to when I passed by and that is unnerving to say the least. 99% of the time I feel like it is innocent and a chance to use a comfortable native tongue but sometimes it can be rude as well.

 

[Sandy Pants]

So this seams like a case of two English / Spanish speaking Americans who wanted to connect with each other by speaking in a shared language. It is something that they share culturally and it feels good to connect to your own culture when you are separated from it. It would be like two Americans meeting up in Spain and speaking English to each other. Being able to speak more than one language should be commended.
I might be able to understand your complaint if the one behind the counter could not speak English, but that was not the case.

 

[hnooe]

I just have to comment that this is the most unenlightening and nonsensical thread I have ever read in the Political area in my almost two year involvement with Sowal.
This is Sowal, not Sowhat?

 

[sunspotbaby]

I have no issues with someone being able to speak their native language in American for many of the reasons other posters have mentioned. But, I have been in the situation of being in a conversation between four people and then two turned to each other and use sign language in order to have a private conversation in front of us and exclude us. It was rude. Neither was deaf and it was used to keep us from understanding what they were talking about in front of us. If you want to have a private conversation then move away and have it. But don't do it in front of someone. I have also been in situations where people used a second language to keep me from understanding their conversation, such as walking past a group of men that can speak English but chose not to when I passed by and that is unnerving to say the least. 99% of the time I feel like it is innocent and a chance to use a comfortable native tongue but sometimes it can be rude as well.

AL you said this very well. I guess it all depends on the situation and the context of the conversation in which people are engaging as to whether or not it is rude
. BTW Joe who?

 

[LuciferSam]

First and foremost, I?m sorry if my initial post offended any of you... I meant this to be a conversation, not an argument... I too agree that everyone is and should be allowed to speak their native tongue whenever they choose; it is what makes America, America. My original post obviously came across wrong (or maybe as a smart@$$). I made a statement that I thought it was rude, a lot like me eves dropping (ironically, both rude but also fun sometimes). I was simply wondering if other people felt the same way some-times, if not why. Some of you made great points to advance the conversation and my opinion; then again, some were quick to jump on the defensive for the sake of arguing... You wouldn't think people that live on the worlds most beautiful beaches would be so uptight... Geezzz

BTW Lucifer Sam... In an earlier post you said "people like you"... What kind of person do you think I am? I've made a very limited amount of post/responses on Sowal.com and from that you know who I am? I'm really not a bad person...


Have a great week!

Nothing too personal, but you gave me enough to go on concerning this one issue. I don't like to label people, but let's just say I don't think we need language police. I'm sure I have friends who feel the way you do. I think they are dead wrong, and they do offend me on some level. I may offend them on some level, Oh well. Most people I associate with do not share your attitude. That's my choice and their's as well.

I don't go for the attitude that this is America, speak English or else. Just look at the title of your post and the situation you described. I think invoking America to push simple minded views is rude. If you just wanted to know how people felt you could have taken a poll, but instead you started a discussion describing your biased reaction to a personal experience. You should expect to get opinionated reactions to your views. It sounds like you just wanted to push your views without them being countered. You commend people who advance your opinion, but dismiss the sincerity of people who disagree. WTF is that all about?

 

[Bob]

i'll be content until we press 2 for English...

 

[Matt J]

I have no issues with someone being able to speak their native language in American for many of the reasons other posters have mentioned. But, I have been in the situation of being in a conversation between four people and then two turned to each other and use sign language in order to have a private conversation in front of us and exclude us. It was rude. Neither was deaf and it was used to keep us from understanding what they were talking about in front of us. If you want to have a private conversation then move away and have it. But don't do it in front of someone. I have also been in situations where people used a second language to keep me from understanding their conversation, such as walking past a group of men that can speak English but chose not to when I passed by and that is unnerving to say the least. 99% of the time I feel like it is innocent and a chance to use a comfortable native tongue but sometimes it can be rude as well.

I think you make a very good point. The funny thing is that from Joe's post he was not involved in the conversation thus one can only conclude that he would just prefer everyone speak English.

Okay, I can't find the clip from Just Married where Ashton Kutcher yells at the French Hotelier that he should have his signs printed in "American". :funn:

 

[InletBchDweller]

i'll be content until we press 2 for English...

;-)

 

[Cheering472]

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.

Skunky next time you go the the nail place don't wear your box.