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American etiquette? Is this somehow different that etiquette anywhere else?? I agree that it's stupid and impolite to speak about someone in front of their face in a language they don't understand, but this is no justification for "outlawing" non-English languages.
I'm not calling for the outlawing of languages other than English. That's absurd. And, yes, Americans do have an identifiable system of etiquette that tends to differ from that which is prevalent in many other countries. This should be obvious. My only point is that, when in mixed company and especially in places of business, people should defer to the common language, the English language. I mean, how else would a person whose native tongue is Vietnamese communicate successfully with a native Spanish speaker, when knowledge of each other's respective native languages is substantially limited?
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How many times do English speakers do the same thing by way of nuances, double entendres, and so on? I've seen it done so many times. English speakers making fun of some poor guy who doesn't yet know English well enough to understand the language's enormous propensity for double meanings, making him the butt of some office or workplace joke. It's not funny, but the English-only crowd at the water cooler laughs up a storm. That's just as rude, wouldn't you say?
Yes, and manipulative. This very thing has happened to me abroad as well. But at the same time, I've always tried to make a good faith effort to acquaint myself with the customs and mores of the country I traveled to. Books, articles, whatever I could get my hands on. Most were pleasantly surprised at my level of attentiveness to such things, and it definitely made my stay a heck of a lot easier.
Yes, its about global commerce. You find multi-lingual package directions, package inserts and user manuals all over the world. I've never heard anyone whine about it except in the U.S.
Not against corporations including pamphlets in multiple languages. That's great, I can keep the language pamphlet that I am comfortable with and toss the others. What gets my goat [in a manner of speaking] is when
all languages are printed on JUST ONE sheet of paper, ok?
Not against corporations including pamphlets in multiple languages. That's great, I can keep the language pamphlet that I am comfortable with and toss the others. What gets my goat [in a manner of speaking] is when
all languages are printed on JUST ONE sheet of paper, ok?
Get a life...
We are inundated with self absorbed whiners in this country who don't have anything to complain about so the worry abut a multilingual instruction manual.
We are inundated with self absorbed whiners in this country who don't have anything to complain about so the worry abut a multilingual instruction manual.
If one can read it without needing a magnifying glass.
Well if you would have read the beginning post you would understand that we are not saying NOT to speak another language but have some respect when people are present, especially English speaking people. Don't talk about someone in another language or engage in a conversation in the earshot of another person who can't understand. It is disrespectful no matter how you quote america as being a free-speech country... Don't abuse the freedom is all we are saying. You can see by this thread that many people are offended by it.. So why continue to offend Americans? It is just plain stupid if you ask me. I would never go to France, Germany or any other country and do that... Maybe the word respect does not exist in other countries?
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Originally Posted by Winston Smith
This is just stupid behavior. So deal with the stupidity. No need to vilify all who speak other languages or tell us we must speak English because of a few idiots. Come on! America is a free-speech country, no matter what language. It should stay that way or cease to be America.
Well if you would have read the beginning post you would understand that we are not saying NOT to speak another language but have some respect when people are present, especially English speaking people. Don't talk about someone in another language or engage in a conversation in the earshot of another person who can't understand. It is disrespectful no matter how you quote america as being a free-speech country... Don't abuse the freedom is all we are saying. You can see by this thread that many people are offended by it.. So why continue to offend Americans? It is just plain stupid if you ask me. I would never go to France, Germany or any other country and do that... Maybe the word respect does not exist in other countries?
Considering that I don't speak French, German or Spanish, I would. I have no choice but to speak English. OTOH, I'm not paranoid enough to get my britches in a twist because someone is speaking a language I don't understand within my earshot, no more than I get upset when people speak English quietly enough for me not to hear what they are saying.
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America is a free-speech country, no matter what language. It should stay that way or cease to be America. 
