No Habla Español.........

For the second time in my life, I was behind a person today in a line, that had the following reply given to him after speaking in a foreign language:

"No Habla Español"

The person in front of me (for the second time in my life) looked at the person he was speaking to in a very bewildered manor, and finally walked away.

The first time I experienced this, it was ACTUALLY IN ARIZONA, this time it was in FLORIDA.

BOTH TIMES - I was very proud to be an English speaking AMERICAN.

P.S. Before someone says - how is this "politics or religion", just look at the state our country........

I hate having to press 1 for English.........call me a jerk, but why do I(an English speaking American) have to do this? It is even an American phone line!

Me parece que aprender otro idioma es muy bueno para abrir la mente. Por supuesto, hay mucha gente que no se importa.

Everyone should learn... just like the Native Americans were forced to learn "English"

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Originally Posted by gatorboymike

Me parece que aprender otro idioma es muy bueno para abrir la mente. Por supuesto, hay mucha gente que no se importa.

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I understand that it may be considered important to many (including myself) but you should at least be able to speak the language that you presently call home........

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Originally Posted by JesRey

Everyone should learn...

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OUT OF RESPECT for the country that has taken you in..............

So ya'all can anyone tell the National Language of the USA?

English is the universal language. Students in many foreign countries are required to learn it in conjunction with their native language.

No, English in not the "national language", but to walk into a business in a country that predominantly speaks a language and speak in another language and be confused why they don't understand you is just ignorant. It would be stupid of me to move to Mexico and expect to exist there without ever learning Spanish, so the same can be said of people who move here.

With that said, it is also a bit backwards to take the "learn our language or get out" position too. I prefer to be an accomodating American rather than a redneckish one. A few years ago I formed a friendship with an immigrant worker who came in my store every day for lunch. Without speaking any of each other's languages we began formed a "partnership.". He would select an item in the store and say "Que Englais" and I would tell him the English word for it and then he would reciprocate by telling me how to say it in Spanish. So in a manner, we were teaching each other how to speak a new langauge. I found that much more fulfilling than refusing to work with him.

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Originally Posted by gridironherosandgreats

I understand that it may be considered important to many (including myself) but you should at least be able to speak the language that you presently call home........

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Get use to it and you should learn a second language if you already do not know one. Notice I did not say Spanish just that you learn one....

Funny story.... many times I have had white people talk to me in Spanish and I look at them and say "what?" Of course I can speak Spanish but why do they assume that I can't speak English.

Please don't worry. Its not like Mexican people are going to push you off your land, force on to a reservation and strip you of your culture.

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Originally Posted by gridironherosandgreats

I understand that it may be considered important to many (including myself) but you should at least be able to speak the language that you presently call home........

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Though I agree with you to an extent, a lot of people that move here, especially the older ones, don't really take the time out to learn the language. They are still too caught up with sticking to their roots and therefore don't want to learn the new language. That's not to say all people who come live here don't, but there is a big portion.