Does living near the beach in a Florida beach town.... (Sarasota: buy, stores)

[staywarm2]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I am from Tampa, and in fact, I am Spanish myself. In Tampa you hear a good bit of Spanish. I do not hear a "lot of Spanish" here in Sarasota. Not compared to other cities in this state. Is the Spanish speaking an issue for you?

Yes, in SE FL it really got under our skin hearing it all the time, especially by those 2nd generation people who could speak perfect English. Some of the ladies in the office would gossip about us "Anglo's" in Spanish right in front of us. (One Anglo knew Spanish and didn't let on, so we knew). We heard it EVERYWHERE--elevators, restaurants, stores, etc. Don't want to repeat that.

[smiledoc1]

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

Lots of Spanish spoken.

The whole state of Florida is full of traffic basically November through April. However, in the past five years, it's gotten increasingly less due to economic conditions.

Traffic in Sarasota doubles during season; fact of life. It's not unmanageable.

LWAF, I agree with you about the traffic. Even in the high season, the traffic is NOTHING compared to NYC or Boston. A busy day here on 41 is a breeze compared to the Big Dig on a slow day. It all depends what you are accustomed to.

[Skunk Workz]

Originally Posted by staywarm2

Yes, in SE FL it really got under our skin hearing it all the time, especially by those 2nd generation people who could speak perfect English. Some of the ladies in the office would gossip about us "Anglo's" in Spanish right in front of us. (One Anglo knew Spanish and didn't let on, so we knew). We heard it EVERYWHERE--elevators, restaurants, stores, etc. Don't want to repeat that.

Miami is almost 60% hispanic, where Sarasota is about 12%, and Sarasota County is only 4% as opposed to 57% in Miami-Dade.

[staywarm2]

Originally Posted by Skunk Workz

Miami is almost 60% hispanic, where Sarasota is about 12%, and Sarasota County is only 4% as opposed to 57% in Miami-Dade.

You'll be surprised how quickly that number grows. When I moved to Weston, FL 9 years ago, it was about 10% or less Hispanic. It is now more than 30%. Lots of South Americans, I hear.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by staywarm2

You'll be surprised how quickly that number grows. When I moved to Weston, FL 9 years ago, it was about 10% or less Hispanic. It is now more than 30%. Lots of South Americans, I hear.

Then don't move to South Florida if you are afraid of it becoming "more Spanish". This is a diverse area, if you don't like that you will have to move somewhere else. Personally I love the diversity. And yes, we are getting more South Americans here, many from Peru - great people and they are bringing their great food!

Maybe it wouldn't hurt if you learned a little Spanish yourself? It never hurts to know more than one language. As a descendent of European Spaniards your posts seem bigoted and insulting

[tommy-105]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Then don't move to South Florida if you are afraid of it becoming "more Spanish". This is a diverse area, if you don't like that you will have to move somewhere else. Personally I love the diversity. And yes, we are getting more South Americans here, many from Peru - great people and they are bringing their great food!

Maybe it wouldn't hurt if you learned a little Spanish yourself? It never hurts to know more than one language. As a descendent of European Spaniards your posts seem bigoted and insulting

I’m a Caucasian of Irish decent in the construction field. My step daughter is of Cuban decent with darker skin. I’m very aware of the bigotry that she sometimes encounters. I wasn’t brought up in a racist environment and have difficulty understanding the mind set of people who were.
I agree that staywarm’s comments are sounding more bigoted with each post.

With that said… On job sites it was very common for me to be the minority while working alongside people to whom English was a second language. Guys that I knew spoke English would talk to each other in their native language right in front of me as if I wasn’t there. I realize that this might have been easier or more comfortable for them, but I have always considered this to be very rude.
Coworkers that I was friendly with would make a point of always speaking English around me.

[staywarm2]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Then don't move to South Florida if you are afraid of it becoming "more Spanish". This is a diverse area, if you don't like that you will have to move somewhere else. Personally I love the diversity. And yes, we are getting more South Americans here, many from Peru - great people and they are bringing their great food!

Maybe it wouldn't hurt if you learned a little Spanish yourself? It never hurts to know more than one language. As a descendent of European Spaniards your posts seem bigoted and insulting

I did take Spanish lessons. They speak very fast Spanglish, which is hard to follow. Besides, why should I HAVE to learn Spanish in my own country. When I visited Paris, I brushed up on my college French and spoke it whenever possible, especially when asking directions. The French really appreciated it and were so KIND to us.

It's not bigotry toward the people. I had friends who are Cuban/Central American/South American. It's not just a little Spanish here and there that bothers me. It's the constant barrage of it. When hearing Spanish gets overwhelming in your city and those who do not speak Spanish or are not of Spanish descent no longer feel like they live in the good old USA, then they'll know what I mean. As the saying in SE FL goes, "Will the last American please bring the flag."

[matisse12]

This thread has been completely hijacked to a topic about spanish speaking people. I would love it if we could get back to the thread originator's initial question!!

[staywarm2]

Originally Posted by susanra

This thread has been completely hijacked to a topic about spanish speaking people. I would love it if we could get back to the thread originator's initial question!!

Sorry, but I was ASKED if "Spanish speaking" was an "issue" for me! Over and out!

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by staywarm2

You'll be surprised how quickly that number grows. When I moved to Weston, FL 9 years ago, it was about 10% or less Hispanic. It is now more than 30%. Lots of South Americans, I hear.

Weston city, Florida - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder

2009-2000= 9 years

Weston was over 10% Hispanic twenty years ago...if you want your questions answered, make use of the link.

Back to the topic at hand...