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It is not their inability to learn english, but it is certain ethnic groups like Mexicans which make the majority of our illegals, that refuse or are made too comfortable not speaking english that bothers me.
It is not their inability to learn english, but it is certain ethnic groups like Mexicans which make the majority of our illegals, that refuse or are made too comfortable not speaking english that bothers me.
SO the signs that are exclusively in Spanish in South LA bother you?
It is not their inability to learn english, but it is certain ethnic groups like Mexicans which make the majority of our illegals, that refuse or are made too comfortable not speaking english that bothers me.
What if they're calling relatives back in Mexico? Do you expect Mexican nationals to learn English, so that their Americanized cousins and other relatives can speak to them?
It doesn't bother me since I know some basic spanish. But at my job there was this woman talking italian to me nonstop, I felt so lost. She was the boss's grandma.
It bothers me if they don't even TRY. Otherwise, if they are new and trying to learn, I appreciate and welcome them.
It always amazes me how Americans can travel just about anywhere in the world and get along speaking English only, but somehow the immigrants that come HERE from those very same countries don't know a lick of English!
It bothers me if they don't even TRY. Otherwise, if they are new and trying to learn, I appreciate and welcome them.
It always amazes me how Americans can travel just about anywhere in the world and get along speaking English only, but somehow the immigrants that come HERE from those very same countries don't know a lick of English!
I don't think you want to use that comparison to make your case. What that shows is that other countries bend over backwards to accommodate the American visitor and businessman. There's no surprise about it. We don't interact with the same folks in those other countries that are most likely to visit or move here.
I agree with your first comments, however. They should try and make an effort. As long as they do so, we should respect that, and certainly not mock the heavily stilted accents that they may accompany their attempts (and I am not insinuating that you, Tri, are mocking anyone, but referring to other posters who believe that they should be perfectly fluent in their second language as we are in our first). It's when they expect or feel entitled to our adjustment to them that becomes offensive.
I don't think you want to use that comparison to make your case. What that shows is that other countries bend over backwards to accommodate the American visitor and businessman. There's no surprise about it. We don't interact with the same folks in those other countries that are most likely to visit or move here.
I agree with your first comments, however. They should try and make an effort. As long as they do so, we should respect that, and certainly not mock the heavily stilted accents that they may accompany their attempts (and I am not insinuating that you, Tri, are mocking anyone, but referring to other posters who believe that they should be perfectly fluent in their second language as we are in our first). It's when they expect or feel entitled to our adjustment to them that becomes offensive.
That's one of the reasons for the "ugly American" being a pretty standard viewpoint worldwide...because American tourists DON'T bother to learn the language of the country they're going to...they expect people to talk to them in ENGLISH.
That's one of the reasons for the "ugly American" being a pretty standard viewpoint worldwide...because American tourists DON'T bother to learn the language of the country they're going to...they expect people to talk to them in ENGLISH.
Americans shouldn't BE 'traveling the world". If they stayed home like they SHOULD, they wouldn't be getting into 'mischief'. And people WOULD be talking to them in English.
Most of the problems between countries START when somebody decides to travel. BAD idea !!!
I ALSO believe if people insisted on marrying orphans, there would be FAR fewer 'in-law problems' than there presently are....
That's one of the reasons for the "ugly American" being a pretty standard viewpoint worldwide...because American tourists DON'T bother to learn the language of the country they're going to...they expect people to talk to them in ENGLISH.
Yes, when they are on a two week vacation, most people do not become fluent in their host countries language.
Now, if they were to live there full time, work there, take social benefits there --- then yes, they should learn the language of the country they decided to immigrate to.
Tourists are one thing, immigrants are another, and illegal immigrants are something else altogether.
But someone pointed out that the countries that AMERICANS go to should bend over backwards for THEM, and speak ENGLISH to them...even in their own country. Why?
How do you KNOW that someone isn't just visiting? Even if they have a temporary work visa, it still might only be for 6 months a year. Visiting.
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