Where's the rudeness? (Miami, Hialeah, West Palm Beach: schools, property tax, to live in)

[DenverLawGal]

I am not a Miamian and wanted to put that out right away. Something in your post though made me want to ask --- and this might sound strange.

But where I live, it's very much like you describe:

Originally Posted by Nikki9947

I have also been to cities where people will wave at you or actually speak to you when walking or jogging down the street. Now that is a great feeling...

Only, this kind of thing drives me nuts. It's downright annoying when I'm sitting on the bus and some total stranger decides to take up a conversation with me. Often I just want to be left alone. Not that I don't want to contribute to my community, but for god's sake, why are you waving at me??? So maybe Miami is a good thing for me. My city is so small I actually see the same exact people (strangers) on the bus and on the street. I crave the anonymity that big cities offer.

Originally Posted by Nikki9947

I have been in cities where if your car breaks down in the middle of the night, people will stop and find out if you are doing okay. Down here you better clutch your purse and literally hope that NOBODY stops.

As for the broken down car, many here (in Denver) think that people stopping for them are good, kind-hearted souls; however, a closer look shows you the horrors that can evolve from allowing strangers to help you out when you are stranded. Here, I'd lock my doors and proceed to dial for help on my cell.

There is another area in Denver I lived in where me and my then husband would help people out when they got stuck in the snow drifts or their car broke down in the dead of winter. But we didn't do that often because, well, for obvious reasons.

Lastly, and I could be totally naive about this, but coming from the other side of the country, I wonder when I read posts here about spanish speakers. If you live in a city where a majority speak spanish, why not learn? It's not that hard, and frankly I'm really happy when I'm able to communicate with another person who doesn't speak my language. Not being able to communicate is frustrating and makes me feel stupid. Just me.

Originally Posted by Nikki9947

Also of course, speaking or at least trying to learn spanish will always get you more friends. That's a given because it looks like you are at least trying to have fun and fit in.

Again, I don't live in Miami, but am planning on moving. So don't take me as a Miami local.

[HowGoesIt]

Originally Posted by wanttomoveeast

Lastly, and I could be totally naive about this, but coming from the other side of the country, I wonder when I read posts here about spanish speakers. If you live in a city where a majority speak spanish, why not learn? It's not that hard, and frankly I'm really happy when I'm able to communicate with another person who doesn't speak my language. Not being able to communicate is frustrating and makes me feel stupid. Just me.

You really can't be serious when you say that "If you live in a city where the majority speak Spanish, why not learn". Well for starters, this is America. Most Americans grow up speaking English, learn English in school, and are taught the proper way to speak English.

So, why can't the Spanish speaking 1st or 2nd generation immigrants learn English? Thankfully, most of the Spanish speaking population speaks English as well. I lived in Miami (now Aventura) for years and I'm not about to learn to speak Spanish.

[DenverLawGal]

Yes, it's America. And to me, the idea of America is a melting pot, one where we open our arms to other cultures. Not that you should be required to learn Spanish, but I'd think that learning another language would be a good thing.

You just pointed out that most of the Spanish speaking pop. speaks English as well. Can't that be turned around on the English speaking folks? Why don't most of them know Spanish? Just because this is America, I don't think that English and only English is the only way. Have you ever traveled to other countries and noticed how the French, German, Russians are able to communicate to others, yet many Americans just sit there stupidly and expect the natives there to comply?

I'm thinking of a trip to Dominican Republic a few years ago. Mostly in the tourist areas.

Just my two cents.

[Huckleberry3911948]

perspective friend, until i get mugged NYC, is a great town, full of fine food restaurants and good theatres. unless you run into a 20 ft snake or an alligator its just another day in paradise in florida.

[DenverLawGal]

Huckleberry: So pertaining to the OP, do you think that being mugged would make that one city awful? I wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic about the alligators. I think so! I mean, rude people are everywhere, no?

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by wanttomoveeast

Huckleberry: So pertaining to the OP, do you think that being mugged would make that one city awful? I wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic about the alligators. I think so! I mean, rude people are everywhere, no?

i agree, unless you have been mugged ---thinking that it would change your opinion of an entire town is silly. how could being raped or beaten unconscious have any bearing on your opinions. yes florida really does have alligators & and 20 ft snakes some with 2 legs.

[DenverLawGal]

I have never been mugged. But it happens where I live.

[intelfan11315]

Originally Posted by HowGoesIt

So, why can't the Spanish speaking 1st or 2nd generation immigrants learn English? Thankfully, most of the Spanish speaking population speaks English as well. I lived in Miami (now Aventura) for years and I'm not about to learn to speak Spanish.

The reason is, because America is a melting pot, nobody is required to do anything. If there is a given area, it is not about them conforming to you, it is about the person being able to compete in that job market and nothing more. If you can't compete, you leave... and unlike most americans, they prefer to not make things better for themselves, they simply sit around and complain.

[DenverLawGal]

I like what you said Burgler. And for me it's not just to compete job-wise, but to better understand others and be able to communicate with others.

[Miami_Dan]

Originally Posted by wanttomoveeast

I like what you said Burgler. And for me it's not just to compete job-wise, but to better understand others and be able to communicate with others.

_____________________
I understand what you are saying, but turn it around.

Why is there such resistance in Miami for people to learn and speak English in public? A couple of the guys I worked with actaully lived in Miami for 5 years before they realized they needed to learn English to advance thier careers. They told me they knew many people in Miami that speak NO english. People who have lived there 10 or 15 years!

So your statements go both ways.

I have visited hundreds of cities in and outside of the US. In the US the most lopsided language barrier is a result of this Machismo Latin Pride 'for your culture trip' thing. IMO very 'new immigrant' mentality. We all have pride for our individual heritage/s.

I am not planning on moving to another country. By the way, I was taught Latin and French in High School.

Back to the RUDENESS issue. As stated in the other blog where I met you originally.......I really believe it is just a cultural difference. No harm done, again, things just get lost in translation and understanding.

Peace.