So one of the conditions of my employment was being bilingual (illegal immigrants, Mexican)

[movin'on]

Now, how do I feel about this? Mixed feelings. OTOH, I did say I was fully bilingual and I've been told by a fluent person I am. OTOH, I had to have a 15 minute interview with "someone" "somewhere" on the phone who asked me 20 completely unrelated questions in Spanish. Stuff like, what do you wear when you are cold? Do you prefer black and white or color photographs? Now, everyone knows that when under pressure and without the benefit of someone sitting across from you, not to mention accents, it can be a challenge. Then I had to do a half an hour written test in Spanish.

So, this is the point we are getting to in Arizona. Thoughts?

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by movin'on

Now, how do I feel about this? Mixed feelings. OTOH, I did say I was fully bilingual and I've been told by a fluent person I am. OTOH, I had to have a 15 minute interview with "someone" "somewhere" on the phone who asked me 20 completely unrelated questions in Spanish. Stuff like, what do you wear when you are cold? Do you prefer black and white or color photographs? Now, everyone knows that when under pressure and without the benefit of someone sitting across from you, not to mention accents, it can be a challenge. Then I had to do a half an hour written test in Spanish.

So, this is the point we are getting to in Arizona. Thoughts?

I would tell the interviewer that this is the USA and the language of this nation is English then likely walk out or hang up.

Besides: here in Arizona I am hearing less and less Spanish being spoken------the illegals are clearing out in droves.

[Huckleberry3911948]

take more classes.

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

take more classes.

I've been speaking it for over 20 years. I doubt at this point classes are going to help me. But I am not good under pressure. Now...get a couple of Margaritas in me and I'm great. Unfortunately, employers frown on showing up UTI.

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

I would tell the interviewer that this is the USA and the language of this nation is English then likely walk out or hang up.

Besides: here in Arizona I am hearing less and less Spanish being spoken------the illegals are clearing out in droves.

It's a good thing to speak Spanish. Besides, do you know how many ways a person can say I love you? It's not a romance language for nothing. Not that this figures into the workplace. I can see you have an issue with illegals. But what if your family were hungry and you had to make a living somewhere? Wouldn't you do the same thing?

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by movin'on

I've been speaking it for over 20 years. I doubt at this point classes are going to help me. But I am not good under pressure. Now...get a couple of Margaritas in me and I'm great. Unfortunately, employers frown on showing up UTI.

If you are serious*about speaking Spanish like a native; you need to spend several weeks or months in Mexico or another Spanish speaking country with no access to English language TV, radio, etc.------it is called immersion.

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

If you are serious*about speaking Spanish like a native; you need to spend several weeks or months in Mexico or another Spanish speaking country with no access to English language TV, radio, etc.------it is called immersion.

I know. I lived in Spain. I worked for a Mexican company. I had a Colombian BF for four years who did not speak English. So I am a bleeding heart liberal and probably should not be living in this state. I'm just a little lazy when it comes to vocabulary.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by movin'on

I know. I lived in Spain. I worked for a Mexican company. I had a Colombian BF for four years who did not speak English. So I am a bleeding heart liberal and probably should not be living in this state. I'm just a little lazy when it comes to vocabulary.

You may be better off living elsewhere then just for your peace of mind.

BTW: I used to be much more 'liberal' till those illegal immigrants' 'rights' protests in May 2006-------I took grave offence at those insolent people who clearly did not have the guts to fight for their rights in Mexico, etc.

God knows if I were illegal: I would make damn sure to 'fly under the radar'.

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

You may be better off living elsewhere then just for your peace of mind.

BTW: I used to be much more 'liberal' till those illegal immigrants' 'rights' protests in May 2006-------I took grave offence at those insolent people who clearly do not have the guts to fight for their rights in Mexico, etc.

Well, I do agree with you. There are some REAL issues in Mexico. There is a LOT of corruption in that country.

However, and I don't want to digress, but we've reached a point in which there is a LOT of corruption in this country. Sure, some people are out in the streets and the media don't cover this. We're on the same path but, again, I digress. What are we doing to fight for our rights? The Patriot Act? The 4th Amendment, come on. We've forgotten our roots, but again don't want to hijack or digress. Perhaps it's another thread.

BTW, if I were younger...I'd go back to Spain, or maybe even South America. So it's not like these thoughts haven't crossed my mind. But I'm not younger.

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

God knows if I were illegal: I would make damn sure to 'fly under the radar'.

And God knows if you had a family to feed, you'd do what you had to do, right?