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Rach, You're PREACHIN' TO THE CHOIR HERE!!
OMFG!! It is truly disturbing. Living and working in Tampa for over 11 years, two of my fluent Spanish speaking co-workers (and one whom became a very close friend of mine) I "picked up" Spanish. I can understand it for the most part, but I refuse to speak it in great lengths. Why should I? Clients would actually say in Spanish to Yoli (my co-worker/friend) "She obviously understands me. Why doesn't she just answer me in Spanish rather than tell you for you to say it in Spanish?" 
MAN, would that piss me off!! Mostly, because I knew these people for many years and after at least a decade, THEY STILL COULD NOT/WOULD NOT speak a lick of English. Then, they'd have the fucking nerve to get pissed off at ME for not speaking back to them in Spanish and get pissed when others didn't understand their language.
Maybe if the U.S. would STOP enabling them by putting the citizen test, customer services offering to "press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish..." and/or even at ATM machines...You get my point. Let's just keep catering/enabling them to have NO NEED to learn A SMIDGE of English. But, I guarantee, if we moved to their country and demanded THEY speak English, NO WAY!! 
posted by
SpitFire70
on
January 19, 2007
at
2:45 AM
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I agree with Whacky...
He probably didnt know anything about drills anyway!
posted by
Passionflower
on
January 17, 2007
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6:31 PM
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I'll bet that guy probably didn't know any more about the drills than you!
He just didn't want to admit it!
posted by
Whacky
on
January 16, 2007
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9:47 PM
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¿Por qué está esto al problema?
You clearly haven't read my
Guide for Illegal Aliens. Please do so and reevaluate your position. With photos, por favór.
posted by
mark2556
on
January 16, 2007
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4:23 PM
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I hope that's the case, Kooka...
Though I have to tell you, this is not our first experience with this at this particular wal-mart. In fact, we rarely shop there because of this problem. My neighbors had actually told me about this and I was like you, thought the clerks had to be full of it. Who knows, either way, this seems to be a growing problem among those that come here from other places.
posted by
RachelAnna
on
January 16, 2007
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4:12 PM
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The guy was messing with you
That is the only thing that makes any sense there.
When I worked at Wal-Mart the only guy who could not speak English well
(Although he did try) did the janitor work. He was not part of customer service
in any way. They don't put people out on the floor who are going to not be able
to help customers.
The guy had to be full of it and just did not want
to help you.
posted by
kooka_lives
on
January 16, 2007
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3:33 PM
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I see what you are saying, Talion...
Unfortunately living in Texas relatively near the border and in a large city where illegals can easily get lost without being noticed I see a lot of people who simply are here to be here and have no intention to adapt. In fact, I know a few people who have done work around my house who have told me that they will only learn enough to get the point across. Makes working with these guys difficult.
Also, if I moved to China tomorrow I would spend all of my time on the plane their reading a Chinese dictionary and listening to CD's on basic phrases so I would at least appear to be making an attempt to adapt.
posted by
RachelAnna
on
January 16, 2007
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12:29 PM
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Oh yeah, Presely!
Don't get me started on that! I have a daughter who has type one diabetes and I wanted her to go to public school this year for kindergarten. I contacted the school district about getting her enrolled in the half day kindergarten instead of the more common full day because it was easier with her meals and all. I was informed that the half day program is now only for children who speak English as a second language. WTF?
Did you hear about the kids somewhere in the US last week there were not allowed to get on the bus that brings kids to their neighborhood because the bus driver deemed that it was a spanish speaking only bus!?
posted by
RachelAnna
on
January 16, 2007
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12:26 PM
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Exactly, Oddy...
At least make an effort.
posted by
RachelAnna
on
January 16, 2007
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12:24 PM
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Thanks, Afzal...
posted by
RachelAnna
on
January 16, 2007
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12:23 PM
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Offbeats...
Yep, exactly. Speak whatever language you want, but don't let your inabilities take away from my experience!
posted by
RachelAnna
on
January 16, 2007
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12:23 PM
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RachelAnna
I certainly agree that when living and working in another country, one should learn the dominant language. In order to conduct the most basic activities, one must be able to communicate effectively. Though many immigrants never learn English, it's presumptuous of us to think that all aren't at least making an attempt. Hypothetically speaking, if you or I arrived in China tomorrow, without formal instruction, how long would it take us to become fluent in Chinese? Six months? A year? Or even longer? Of course we'd have to support ourselves in the meantime. What would we do? Stumble around trying to communicate the best way we could. Dealing with someone you can't speak with is frustrating to say the least and I often feel the same way, however, I'm also willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
posted by
Talion
on
January 16, 2007
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10:19 AM
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Rachel
I feel for what you're saying especially in the example of the Walmart Clerk. WTF? I'd have reacted as you did, too! The main thing that bothers me is the money taken away from American children's educational programs to accomodate children and families who do not speak English. Hold on to your heritage, yes, but my kids were here first. The only heritage they know is the melting pot of their American heritage, which includes English as a first language. I'm all for LEGALLY coming to the U.S. for freedom and to escape from whatever the heck type of persecution people are exposed to outside the U.S., but it really pisses me off that stuff is taken away from my children, because of it. It's a double edged sword!
posted by
Presley
on
January 16, 2007
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9:57 AM
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Rachel….I agree with you that a certain degree of cohesion is necessary
to have an effective country and economy….learning the language is not too much to ask.
posted by
telemachus
on
January 16, 2007
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9:35 AM
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I agree with you .You indeed have a valid point here . Good post.
posted by
afzal50
on
January 16, 2007
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9:33 AM
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I agree with you on this
One...Like you I have no clue why they don't even try to learn the language. You would think it would make their life easier but instead it makes ours difficult~ Go figure~
posted by
Offy
on
January 16, 2007
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9:30 AM
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