Was this rude or not?

135

Replies

  • VeganLexi
    VeganLexi Posts: 960 Member
    Its also pretty hypocritical, because if there is something Brits are famous for it's the lack of foreign language skills and general arrogance in assuming "well everyone speaks English anyway!".

    I didn't know this. I've heard this about Americans, but not Brits.

    I didn't know this either...
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    What an *kitten* he was. Probably jealous he can only speak one language too. *kitten*.
  • RhineDHP
    RhineDHP Posts: 1,025 Member
    In any language, it is very rude to butt in on someone else's private conversation. What a *kitten*.
  • besaro
    besaro Posts: 1,858 Member
    this is awesome!! america isn't the only dumbass country! we're number two! we're number two!!


    well, considering i had to edit my post twice for typos, maybe we still are the dumbest.
  • doctorsookie
    doctorsookie Posts: 1,084 Member
    My response would have been, "and you are a human being, yet you look like an *kitten*"
  • It's only rude if you are talking about someone in another language when you know (or think) they don't understand. In this case, the guy was being rude.
  • no its not rude what you u and your sister was doing he was the one being rude now will say there have been times where I had people speak in front of me to eachother just so I did not know what they where saying and I think that is rude :smile:
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    OP, you were not rude. The guy had issues/bad day/not your problem.
    But what i find rudest is when you walk into a staff room and people CONTINUE to talk in their own language when its just you and them in the rude, i find that EXTREMLEY rude.

    To this I want to say - you're absolutely right, it's inappropriate not to switch languages when someone you know (or will know ie acquaintance) who doesn't speak it has come into the room.

    It's something I'm always conscious of. I grew up with a different language at home, but learned English from books/TV/ friends /school, so I was more aware of it than some people I knew growing up, who immigrated (I was born in my country of citizenship).

    However, and please note *this is not an excuse* -- it's a weird thing, but oftentimes people are able to express things differently in other languages (especially if the non-English language is their 1st or 1.5st language). It's a whole other mood, even like different parts of your personality get teased out. So it's not just switching away from the language, it's switching from, well not exactly an identity, but kind of -- definitely a different feel. And if there are a number of people there who are also speaking that language, the pull of that familiarity is quite strong; not everyone is skillful at pulling away from it. Still rude, I agree, just wanted to maybe explain it a bit (not sure I did).
  • bridgie101
    bridgie101 Posts: 817 Member
    Depends how loudly you lot were talking, basically.
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    Depends how loudly you lot were talking, basically.

    If they were speaking loudly, would that be more rude than speaking loudly in English? (or equally rude)
  • Rurouni_Kou
    Rurouni_Kou Posts: 180 Member
    ventobig.jpg

    I presume this guy is an indigenous Indian expressing his desire to have his country back from the white settlers who violently took their land from them........ no?

    My favorite response to racist *kitten* who insist (in America) that you need to speak only english:
    national_language.jpg
  • ItsAnIllusion
    ItsAnIllusion Posts: 63 Member
    ventobig.jpg

    Off topic, but this guy makes the most overrated cheesesteak ever. Go to Gooey Louie's instead.
  • Madame_Goldbricker
    Madame_Goldbricker Posts: 1,625 Member
    Its also pretty hypocritical, because if there is something Brits are famous for it's the lack of foreign language skills and general arrogance in assuming "well everyone speaks English anyway!".

    I didn't know this. I've heard this about Americans, but not Brits.

    I didn't know this either...
    Yep, totally true. However, in our defense English is generally used as a universal common language. Never the less it is shameful we tend not to bother learning others often :frown:
  • GlitterMamma11
    GlitterMamma11 Posts: 143 Member
    He was rude! As long as you can communicate with the public with no problems who cares? I volunteer in an Elementary school and it drives me crazy when the kids have to translate for their parents. (parents don't speak/understand English) That I think isn't right and I don't think the kids should be put in that situation, but if you were just talking with your siblings that guy should of just minded his own business!
    Besides, it's encouraged in school to learn a second language! It's a good thing to know more than one!

    What is so bad about that?

    I used to do the same for my parents, I didn't have a problem with it. I have no idea why you think it's not right.

    Because the kids are having to be in the middle of conversations the teacher needs to have with the parent and *I* think that isn't fair to the child to be put in that position. Also, it's dangerous if the office staff or other school staff can't communicate with the parent if something happens to the child and they aren't able to translate.
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    He was rude! As long as you can communicate with the public with no problems who cares? I volunteer in an Elementary school and it drives me crazy when the kids have to translate for their parents. (parents don't speak/understand English) That I think isn't right and I don't think the kids should be put in that situation, but if you were just talking with your siblings that guy should of just minded his own business!
    Besides, it's encouraged in school to learn a second language! It's a good thing to know more than one!

    What is so bad about that?

    I used to do the same for my parents, I didn't have a problem with it. I have no idea why you think it's not right.

    Because the kids are having to be in the middle of conversations the teacher needs to have with the parent and *I* think that isn't fair to the child to be put in that position. Also, it's dangerous if the office staff or other school staff can't communicate with the parent if something happens to the child and they aren't able to translate.

    That is a reasonable argument, but I doubt that's why it 'drives you crazy'.

    Some people have an easier time than others picking up English as a second language. And if there are enough families that speak a given language (and not English), your school should accommodate THEM. The public school in my area has resources for speakers of 3-4 non-English languages. (for the parents, not the kids, who get special ESL classes if they need it)
  • GlitterMamma11
    GlitterMamma11 Posts: 143 Member
    He was rude! As long as you can communicate with the public with no problems who cares? I volunteer in an Elementary school and it drives me crazy when the kids have to translate for their parents. (parents don't speak/understand English) That I think isn't right and I don't think the kids should be put in that situation, but if you were just talking with your siblings that guy should of just minded his own business!
    Besides, it's encouraged in school to learn a second language! It's a good thing to know more than one!

    What is so bad about that?

    I used to do the same for my parents, I didn't have a problem with it. I have no idea why you think it's not right.

    Because the kids are having to be in the middle of conversations the teacher needs to have with the parent and *I* think that isn't fair to the child to be put in that position. Also, it's dangerous if the office staff or other school staff can't communicate with the parent if something happens to the child and they aren't able to translate.

    That is a reasonable argument, but I doubt that's why it 'drives you crazy'.

    Some people have an easier time than others picking up English as a second language. And if there are enough families that speak a given language (and not English), your school should accommodate THEM. The public school in my area has resources for speakers of 3-4 non-English languages. (for the parents, not the kids, who get special ESL classes if they need it)

    Don't try to turn this into something it's not. I wasn't meaning anything rude by what I said, so please stop taking it that way. I have no problem if people speak other languages. I think it's cool. But it is difficult if it's a situation where you need to communicate with someone and you can't. Our district does offer ESL for the children. I have no idea if they offer anything for the parents but I think that is great that yours does.
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    He was rude! As long as you can communicate with the public with no problems who cares? I volunteer in an Elementary school and it drives me crazy when the kids have to translate for their parents. (parents don't speak/understand English) That I think isn't right and I don't think the kids should be put in that situation, but if you were just talking with your siblings that guy should of just minded his own business!
    Besides, it's encouraged in school to learn a second language! It's a good thing to know more than one!

    What is so bad about that?

    I used to do the same for my parents, I didn't have a problem with it. I have no idea why you think it's not right.

    Because the kids are having to be in the middle of conversations the teacher needs to have with the parent and *I* think that isn't fair to the child to be put in that position. Also, it's dangerous if the office staff or other school staff can't communicate with the parent if something happens to the child and they aren't able to translate.

    That is a reasonable argument, but I doubt that's why it 'drives you crazy'.

    Some people have an easier time than others picking up English as a second language. And if there are enough families that speak a given language (and not English), your school should accommodate THEM. The public school in my area has resources for speakers of 3-4 non-English languages. (for the parents, not the kids, who get special ESL classes if they need it)

    Don't try to turn this into something it's not. I wasn't meaning anything rude by what I said, so please stop taking it that way. I have no problem if people speak other languages. I think it's cool. But it is difficult if it's a situation where you need to communicate with someone and you can't. Our district does offer ESL for the children. I have no idea if they offer anything for the parents but I think that is great that yours does.

    Ok fine, I'll believe you. So, while the parents are learning English (if they are able), should they just keep their kids at home until it's 'right' for the children to be educated?
  • I think you should be able to speak any language you want to as long as you're not at work. This should be covered under freedom of speech. This should especially hold true in the United States because the First Amendment provides virtually complete freedom over what you can say and the fact that the US has no official language at the federal level. You might piss some people off but they have no justification to force you to speak English.
  • YaGigi
    YaGigi Posts: 817 Member
    You should've showed him that you in fact do speak English. Something like "f&ck off" would be enough.
  • Tigg_er
    Tigg_er Posts: 22,001 Member
    He was rude! As long as you can communicate with the public with no problems who cares? I volunteer in an Elementary school and it drives me crazy when the kids have to translate for their parents. (parents don't speak/understand English) That I think isn't right and I don't think the kids should be put in that situation, but if you were just talking with your siblings that guy should of just minded his own business!
    Besides, it's encouraged in school to learn a second language! It's a good thing to know more than one!


    What is so bad about that?

    I used to do the same for my parents, I didn't have a problem with it. I have no idea why you think it's not right.
    [/quote
    Because the kids are having to be in the middle of conversations the teacher needs to have with the parent and *I* think that isn't fair to the child to be put in that position. Also, it's dangerous if the office staff or other school staff can't communicate with the parent if something happens to the child and they aren't able to translate.

    That is a reasonable argument, but I doubt that's why it 'drives you crazy'.

    Some people have an easier time than others picking up English as a second language. And if there are enough families that speak a given language (and not English), your school should accommodate THEM. The public school in my area has resources for speakers of 3-4 non-English languages. (for the parents, not the kids, who get special ESL classes if they need it)

    Don't try to turn this into something it's not. I wasn't meaning anything rude by what I said, so please stop taking it that way. I have no problem if people speak other languages. I think it's cool. But it is difficult if it's a situation where you need to communicate with someone and you can't. Our district does offer ESL for the children. I have no idea if they offer anything for the parents but I think that is great that yours does.

    Ok fine, I'll believe you. So, while the parents are learning English (if they are able), should they just keep their kids at home until it's 'right' for the children to be educated?

    I do believe the guy was rude in answer to the OPs Post - On the above---If I move to Mexico I will learn to speak Spanish-If I move to China I will learn to speak Chinese-If I move to Japan I will learn to speak Japanese- If you move to the United States then learn to Speak English.
  • Candi_land
    Candi_land Posts: 1,311 Member
    The dude was being a d1ck, and you handled it a lot better than I would have. My response would've been to show him just how good my English is in a few choice words.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    He was completely off base and rude.

    I'm pretty sure that this thread will fully derail, however, and is showing some early indications of that. Good stuff.
  • VeganLexi
    VeganLexi Posts: 960 Member
    Its also pretty hypocritical, because if there is something Brits are famous for it's the lack of foreign language skills and general arrogance in assuming "well everyone speaks English anyway!".

    I didn't know this. I've heard this about Americans, but not Brits.

    I didn't know this either...
    Yep, totally true. However, in our defense English is generally used as a universal common language. Never the less it is shameful we tend not to bother learning others often :frown:

    When I moved from the UK to Beijing in 2007, the first thing I did was start mandarin lessons...I felt like it was the right thing to do. I moved to Taiwan in 2012, the mandarin came in very handy. I wouldn't have been able to function properly by just pointing and miming :laugh:
  • danofthedead1979
    danofthedead1979 Posts: 362 Member
    If you want to integrate with the community you live in, then you'll need to learn the language, that goes for everyone, wherever you are. If you don't, that's your choice, but that will inevitably cause issues for yourself. I don't actually understand why people have a problem with Foreigners, I put some of it down to there being a lot of misplaced nationalism in some people who believe certain agendas that are perpetuated by certain media outlets....
  • joselo2
    joselo2 Posts: 461
    If you want to integrate with the community you live in, then you'll need to learn the language, that goes for everyone, wherever you are. If you don't, that's your choice, but that will inevitably cause issues for yourself. I don't actually understand why people have a problem with Foreigners, I put some of it down to there being a lot of misplaced nationalism in some people who believe certain agendas that are perpetuated by certain media outlets....
    Yes unfortunately I don't speak a word of english. I don't even know how to say 'Hello' and 'Good day'
  • SpeSHul_SnoflEHk
    SpeSHul_SnoflEHk Posts: 6,256 Member
    We have asshats over here stateside as well that say the same thing. I just saw a bumper sticker saying something like that the other day.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    We have asshats over here stateside as well that say the same thing. I just saw a bumper sticker saying something like that the other day.
    I think if you're going to move to a country, you should learn the common language of that country. I think that is very important.

    However, I see nothing wrong with speaking one's native language with other speakers of that language even once you've learned the common language.

    That said, if you're a tourist in a country, I wouldn't expect you to speak the language.
  • lauren3101
    lauren3101 Posts: 1,853 Member
    I would have told him to *kitten* off. In Spanish.
  • joselo2
    joselo2 Posts: 461
    The people saying you should learn the language if you live there... isn't my speaking of English here evidence that I do?

    Oh well. I get that point. I think those who don't speak English who live here are the real victims, not you. Because apart from that it is hard lving someone where you don't speak the langaueg, you have to be pretty isolated not to pick it up, really. So be inclusive, make friends, make immigrants feel welcome, it makes it much easier for us to learn the language. Just a thought.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    If you want to integrate with the community you live in, then you'll need to learn the language, that goes for everyone, wherever you are. If you don't, that's your choice, but that will inevitably cause issues for yourself. I don't actually understand why people have a problem with Foreigners, I put some of it down to there being a lot of misplaced nationalism in some people who believe certain agendas that are perpetuated by certain media outlets....
    Yes unfortunately I don't speak a word of english. I don't even know how to say 'Hello' and 'Good day'

    Man, your English skills suck! :wink: