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This is really annoying me..

post #1 of 37
8/12/07 at 10:20pm
Thread Starter 
Hi! I've been pretty annoyed.. is a job related issue because I work at the mall, in some Pizza place, the thing is that Spanish speaker customers (most of them) get mad at me, because I don't talk in Spanish to them! I do speak fluent Spanish, I'm Latin.
But they make SUCH a big deal, I don't wanna offend anyone, but I have this problem JUST with mexican customers.
me: Hi! How are you, how may I help you?
customer: ( start speaking in spanish to me and they don't even say hi back)
I understand that there are people who do not speak any english, but they should ask, for courtesy, excuse me do you speak spanish? when people asks me this I'll gladly help you.. my point is, when you are emmigrating to an "X" country we AS IMMIGRANTS are supposed to get USED TO THIS COUNTRY, we have to ADAPT TO THIS COUNTRY... not all the way around.. am i wrong?
It bothers me, because other customer that are in line, they look uncomfortable, since probably don't understand what are we talking about, and it's just rude.
The funny thing is that some customer speak english but they STILL WANT ME TO SPEAK TO THEM IN SPANISH, and if I don't they just snap, trying to say that I'm not proud of my heritage and blah blah (which is not true) I don't have to keep my car with 300 bumper stickers all over it with my country's flag, I know where I'm coming from and I don't need those to remind me... duhh
Here's another example, one of my co-workers is born and raised here, but his parents are Latin, he's spanish is veeeeery basic. One day this customer kept talking to him in spanish, even though he said " yo no hablo mucho espanol, sorry" ( I don't speak too much spanish, sorry) and then I heard them (customers) ranting.. " Yeah right, he looks latin he should be talking to us in spanish " ( they said this in spanish ) so I heard all this and told them that they should STOP ASSUMING that people speaks spanish just because he "looks" Latin.
I have people coming to me boyfriend/boss (LOL) talking in spanish, (he's not latin) he's like... WTF???
And I have met people from other countries and cultures, and I swear they never come to me and start talking in another language I don't understand...
Anyway.. what do you think about this?? also, do you have any similar stories?? or it's just in my store.???
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post #2 of 37
8/13/07 at 12:06am

Re: This is really annoying me..

This happens everywhere & I agree with you totally. I am Hispanic but I don't know how to fluently speak Spanish. I know a few words & phrases, but I can't carry on a conversation in Spanish. I work at a school & parents will come up to me just having a conversation in Spanish with me...Hello...you should ask first. I am pale white & without knowing my last name, you wouldn't know I am Hispanic. Some will ask, but many just start going off. I feel that if you are in the US...then you should either know English, or at least be attempting to speak it. If I was in a different part of the world, it would be my responsibility to learn their language, not expect everyone to be speaking to me in English. That's just how I feel.
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post #3 of 37
8/13/07 at 12:15am

Re: This is really annoying me..

That's quite annoying nut it happems all the time. I had people try to have a converstion in spanish with me (I don't speak spanish at all) but most would ask me first. In any event. I agree with you. They should either speak to you in english or ask you if you would carry the conversation in spanish.
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post #4 of 37
8/13/07 at 12:50am

Re: This is really annoying me..

I think that's annoying and- I can't place my finger on why, but it's really shitty of them to think and expect you to speak in Spanish to them. Until you wear a "I know Spanish!" button or sign, that's dumb that they assume it. If they know English, what's the big deal about them speaking it?

The worst I have happen with people are Asian tourists directly asking me for help, even though some white people are telling them the same thing I am. They flat out ignore the white people, even turning their backs, preferring to talk to me. I have no accent, and I don't speak any language but English. Do people not realize how incredibly rude that behavior is?
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post #5 of 37
8/13/07 at 2:22am

Re: This is really annoying me..

when i was working my first job, a man came in speaking spanish to me. i kind of got the jist of what he was saying, but didn't have the means to answer him back. he yelled at me, i walked away. my boss came to talk to him, he yelled at my boss for not speaking spanish as well. long story short, the police had to be called to remove him from the premises for making such a scene and being so volatile. when the cops questioned him, he magically spoke perfect english.
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post #6 of 37
8/13/07 at 2:32am

Re: This is really annoying me..

Happens all the time to me. Supposedly, I look spanish (I'm indian) they walk right up to me talking to me in spanish. I'm like "um I don't speak spanish" so they walk away blabbering something. I work at a pharmacy so they have to ask me questions about their health or medicine ..but because I don't speak spanish they won't talk to me. Some of them refuse to even try to speak english. It's mind blowing sometimes. Some will just force a cell phone on me and be like here! ....I hate that!!! Cell phones are so germ-ridden!!
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post #7 of 37
8/13/07 at 2:47am

Re: This is really annoying me..

I totally agree with you. There is nothing wrong with being proud of your heritage but America's language is English. Not Spanish. Some people don't seem to realise that.
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post #8 of 37
8/13/07 at 12:10pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

my dad is 100% puerto rican while my mom is german.. my problem i ALWAYS get from people " why dont you speak spanish?!?!"

let me think.. how would i talk to my mother then? and i usually get this from people who know that im not 100% PR. its really makes me mad. my dad is bi lingual so he knows perfect english...and my mom knows NO spanish lol..
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post #9 of 37
8/13/07 at 1:10pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

people used to walk up to me and just start speaking spanish (i'm not...at all lol) just because I looked spanish I guess. i just shook my head and said "no" lol

my boss and her husband were in the salon one day and they are both spanish, and were speaking it...my boss turned to me and said "are you spanish? do you know what we're saying?" i told her i wasn't but i still knew some spanish
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post #10 of 37
8/13/07 at 1:59pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

My mom is a nurse in Labor and Delivery, and she knows spanish,(you pretty much have to learn it these days) but shes your typical blonde haired blue eyed woman so know one knows it. shes had patients talk "junk" about her right in front of her, thinking she doesn't know spanish. I wish I could have seen the faces when she answers back in spanish.
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post #11 of 37
8/13/07 at 3:14pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

when i went on holiday to the caribbean most of the spanish thought me and my bf were from sweden and spoke swedish [or dutch wotever] because we are both blonde.. i mean WTF lol it happens everywhere hunni
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post #12 of 37
8/13/07 at 6:06pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beauty Mark View Post
The worst I have happen with people are Asian tourists directly asking me for help, even though some white people are telling them the same thing I am. They flat out ignore the white people, even turning their backs, preferring to talk to me. I have no accent, and I don't speak any language but English. Do people not realize how incredibly rude that behavior is?
my bf is an east asian looking filipino, and i'm a very filipino looking chinese, so whenever we are out together, the tourists always ignore me and start talking to my bf in chinese. when i answer their questions in chinese, i always get an "apology" like "sorry, we did not know you were chinese. you look too dark to be chinese. giggles" (i'm NC30!) some of them even decided to tell me that i should find a chinese speaking boyfriend. now THAT's rude!
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post #13 of 37
8/13/07 at 9:56pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

You know, this boils my blood! I am Cuban and I mean 100% Cuban. Born there, moved here when I was 6 months old. I learned how to speak English by the time I was 4 because I would be starting Kindergarten. I am adamant that if people are going to live here LEARN THE LANGUAGE! The law states that you must be able to speak English before you can become a citizen. I do not speak Spanish to my children. I can't even count how many people chastize me at the mall or at the grocery store because my kids don't speak Spanish. When they see me, it's obvious that I'm Hispanic. My children have blue eyes and fair skin, so they ask if they are my children. Once I say yes, they start rattling off in Spanish to them. My kids tell them they don't speak Spanish and I get the dirty looks and speeches about how I am a bad mother for not teaching them how to speak Spanish. The sad part is, if you were to tell one of the customers to learn the language if they are going to live here, you would get fired! Unbelievable!
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post #14 of 37
8/13/07 at 10:14pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by makeupgal View Post
You know, this boils my blood! I am Cuban and I mean 100% Cuban. Born there, moved here when I was 6 months old. I learned how to speak English by the time I was 4 because I would be starting Kindergarten. I am adamant that if people are going to live here LEARN THE LANGUAGE! The law states that you must be able to speak English before you can become a citizen. I do not speak Spanish to my children. I can't even count how many people chastize me at the mall or at the grocery store because my kids don't speak Spanish. When they see me, it's obvious that I'm Hispanic. My children have blue eyes and fair skin, so they ask if they are my children. Once I say yes, they start rattling off in Spanish to them. My kids tell them they don't speak Spanish and I get the dirty looks and speeches about how I am a bad mother for not teaching them how to speak Spanish. The sad part is, if you were to tell one of the customers to learn the language if they are going to live here, you would get fired! Unbelievable!
It boils your blood and mine. It's bullshit. I feel insulted that as an English speaking American it is getting to the point that I have to learn Spanish. There are many jobs that won't even consider you if you don't speak it. It's ridiculous. There are so many immigrants in this country and we, as a country, have never catered to a group so much. You don't see other groups, essentially, mandating that we learn Polish or Japanese or German or whatever. I don't even know if I am making my point clearly but like I said, it's just ridiculous.
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post #15 of 37
8/13/07 at 10:56pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by aziajs View Post
It boils your blood and mine. It's bullshit. I feel insulted that as an English speaking American it is getting to the point that I have to learn Spanish. There are many jobs that won't even consider you if you don't speak it. It's ridiculous. There are so many immigrants in this country and we, as a country, have never catered to a group so much. You don't see other groups, essentially, mandating that we learn Polish or Japanese or German or whatever. I don't even know if I am making my point clearly but like I said, it's just ridiculous.
i completely agree!
I think its silly for us to all have to learn spanish when everyone else has had to learn english...
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post #16 of 37
8/14/07 at 1:59am

Re: This is really annoying me..

Actually, the original language of this country was probably one of the early Native American languages. There is no "true" language, just the languages of the dominant culture. American English originates from several languages. I am glad we still have some cultures in this country that have not completely assimilated. I live in a multicultural city and hearing Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, English, and all other languages spoken in public is music to my ears. Rudeness is in every culture and not limited to one ethnic group.
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post #17 of 37
8/14/07 at 2:29am

Re: This is really annoying me..

I wanted to slap the shit out of a coworker of mine. She walked up to me and began ranting about one of the guys at work, saying she asked him if he spoke Spanish. He replied no and she was offended, not because he didn't speak Spanish but, because he was obviously Hispanic and didn't speak it. She even asked him, "Where are you from?!?!?" and he replied, "Miami."
So, she told me she got in his face and was like, "No, you know what I mean...Where are you from?"
His parents are from PR.
I just thought that was rude and harrassing on her part. But, I find that a lot of people I've worked with use Spanish as their solidarity. They sometimes hate each other, but will feel they have to stick together because they speak Spanish.
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post #18 of 37
8/14/07 at 12:02pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjalomo View Post
Actually, the original language of this country was probably one of the early Native American languages. There is no "true" language, just the languages of the dominant culture. American English originates from several languages. I am glad we still have some cultures in this country that have not completely assimilated. I live in a multicultural city and hearing Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, English, and all other languages spoken in public is music to my ears. Rudeness is in every culture and not limited to one ethnic group.
The issue is, though, it's incredibly detrimental for people to come to a predominantly English speaking country and not know English. You're screwing yourself, because you do need to know some English to get a decent job. You're endangering yourself, because you might not be able to tell the police you were mugged or the doctors what's wrong with you.

Assimilating in language is something everyone should do; if I moved to any other country in the world, I'd be expected to learn their language. When I studied abroad, I had to assimilate to British spellings and even some pronounciations. If language is the only tie to your original country, that's really sad.

Quote:
So, she told me she got in his face and was like, "No, you know what I mean...Where are you from?"
I almost got in a physical fight when I refused to answer that and asked why that was important. Really, I have no accent beyond a Mid-Atlantic USA one, I have the frickin' "American" name... and beyond that, it's none of your business.

I hate people who get so wrapped up in their "culture" that they decide it gives them the right to be assholes
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post #19 of 37
8/14/07 at 1:07pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

I felt so bad for the guy because, like another poster said, he was one of these kids who had not learned Spanish and she was trying to converse with him that way. And, you could look at him and she that he was Hispanic. I guess she felt he was turning his back on his culture, but like he said, he was born and raised here.

The whole thing with the languages pisses me off, too. You really can't get a decent job in some places without being able to speak Spanish.
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post #20 of 37
8/14/07 at 4:39pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beauty Mark View Post
Assimilating in language is something everyone should do; if I moved to any other country in the world, I'd be expected to learn their language. When I studied abroad, I had to assimilate to British spellings and even some pronounciations. If language is the only tie to your original country, that's really sad.
i agree with you. learning a new language somehow really scares some people though. my family moved to canada 8 years ago, and my mom still does not speak any english (as in cannot even recite the alphabet). she's always complaining about how she would get paid much better and work less if she could speak english. yet she laughs at her friends for being lazy and not wanting to work because they are going to language school. i guess i will never understand her logics.
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post #21 of 37
8/14/07 at 6:06pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

I think it's scary, but at the same time, I'd be more scared of not knowing what a doctor was telling me or not knowing what the police wanted me to do.

I don't pretend it's easy to learn English, but I think it's so important to learn the native tongue of whatever country you choose to live in
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post #22 of 37
8/14/07 at 6:26pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

i just don't understand why a person who lives here can't at least learn the basics. i went to japan for only two weeks, but i still learned enough for that trip to get by, and at least be safe if something happens (you know, things like "i don't speak good japanese" and "can you help me?").

at the very least, if you aren't going to learn the language, could you please ask if they can speak yours. if i go to another country and just start talking in english to someone, it would be considered rude to not ask.

i've had the "junk" thing happen to me, too. i took 5 years of spanish (i barely remember anything, though), and look totally european. i can tell what people are saying (at least the gist), but i can't reply (i go blank on the words). so when people start junking me, i correct them in english. i love the look that they give me, but i still think it's sad that i even had to see it in the first place.
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post #23 of 37
8/14/07 at 6:34pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beauty Mark View Post
I don't pretend it's easy to learn English, but I think it's so important to learn the native tongue of whatever country you choose to live in.
Right. How can you live in a country and not speak the language?!?!?!?! The thing that really kills me though is that a lot of these people just flat out refuse to learn. What???
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post #24 of 37
8/14/07 at 6:51pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by aziajs View Post
Right. How can you live in a country and not speak the language?!?!?!?! The thing that really kills me though is that a lot of these people just flat out refuse to learn. What???
I agree. The same coworker who was trying to speak to the guy I mentioned in the previous post was the same one, years ago, saying that everyone in the US should learn Spanish. I'm sorry, but talk to the hand. And, you can speak any language you would like when you do that.
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post #25 of 37
8/14/07 at 7:45pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by MxAxC-_ATTACK View Post
My mom is a nurse in Labor and Delivery, and she knows spanish,(you pretty much have to learn it these days) but shes your typical blonde haired blue eyed woman so know one knows it. shes had patients talk "junk" about her right in front of her, thinking she doesn't know spanish. I wish I could have seen the faces when she answers back in spanish.
I love this btw...

I don't know a lot of spanish, but I know a little. So I can get a gist of a conversation if I try hard enough. Not to mention I know most of the rude words.

Best is when you see people taking english, and you get near them, and they switch to a different language.
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post #26 of 37
8/14/07 at 7:50pm

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by aziajs View Post
Right. How can you live in a country and not speak the language?!?!?!?! The thing that really kills me though is that a lot of these people just flat out refuse to learn. What???
Because when you live in a state like Mexifornia, everything is in english, and spanish (or in a lot of my area, spanish only). Why should they bother? Every company has bi-lingual staff typically in order to cater to the hispanic dollar.

It's more profitable to staff 1 person who speaks spanish, then to turn away customers who want to speak spanish.
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post #27 of 37
8/15/07 at 12:54am

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by makeupgal View Post
You know, this boils my blood! I am Cuban and I mean 100% Cuban. Born there, moved here when I was 6 months old. I learned how to speak English by the time I was 4 because I would be starting Kindergarten. I am adamant that if people are going to live here LEARN THE LANGUAGE! The law states that you must be able to speak English before you can become a citizen. I do not speak Spanish to my children. I can't even count how many people chastize me at the mall or at the grocery store because my kids don't speak Spanish. When they see me, it's obvious that I'm Hispanic. My children have blue eyes and fair skin, so they ask if they are my children. Once I say yes, they start rattling off in Spanish to them. My kids tell them they don't speak Spanish and I get the dirty looks and speeches about how I am a bad mother for not teaching them how to speak Spanish. The sad part is, if you were to tell one of the customers to learn the language if they are going to live here, you would get fired! Unbelievable!
I totally agree...I was born in NY, but raised in Miami. I am not Cuban but my parents are from Ecuador and I speak, read and write fluent Spanish. What boils my blood is that there are people who have lived here for ove 25 years that don't speak English at all. How can you expect to adapt to a country when you don't speak the language? Now, Miami has its sections of town where NO ONE speaks English. Scary, but true. I find it ridiculous. I mean, I wouldn't spend 25 years in France and not learn French...sheesh!
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post #28 of 37
8/15/07 at 12:59am

Re: This is really annoying me..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Raerae View Post
I love this btw...

I don't know a lot of spanish, but I know a little. So I can get a gist of a conversation if I try hard enough. Not to mention I know most of the rude words.

Best is when you see people taking english, and you get near them, and they switch to a different language.
I find it hilarious when people assume that someone does not speak their language, and then they proceed to talk crap about that person right in front of them. I had a friend who was from Vermont (blond very white...and very cute!!) who majored in Spanish while in college. He was very fluent, and yet people took one look at him and would speak in Spanish thinking he wouldn't understand them. When he responded in perfect Spanish (non-accented by the way!) the look on their faces was priceless!
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post #29 of 37
8/15/07 at 1:19am

Re: This is really annoying me..

Where I live, I literally here commercials over the intercom in Spanish at a Walmart. But what gets me is this. Everyone around me is speaking another language in line - Vietnamese, Iranian, German, Polish, & Spanish. I feel like am the outsider. I am thinking, "Where the heck am I?" I don't know what the heck anyone is saying.

I remember vividly as a child having Korean children in my classes. They did not get any special tutors or books. They were so far advanced it was not funny. All they did was refer to their dictionary to talk to me and the teacher.

As an English speaking person, I feel like I have been thrown in a foreign land. I don't like it when men come up to me speaking something that I don't understand and laughing. It really ticks me off. I feel compelled to learn at least the Spanish language.
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post #30 of 37
8/15/07 at 1:52am

Re: This is really annoying me..

In private conversation, I don't care as much. I think it's rude and cowardly of people to speak in other languages just so they can insult you without you knowing.

I also can't stand when people, particularly if they are US-born and have, at most, distant family in x country, refer to that country as their country. I'm not even patriotic really, and I think you should take some pride in being from the US. If not pride, then just be honest. Your country is the US, whether you agree with its politics or not.
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