Ok here's the deal.... There is this group of Guatamalans that have recently been brought to the resort where I work, to ... well guess what... WORK. It's apart of some worker exchange or something, I'm not quite sure exactly what it is... But they are driving me up the fucking wall. There's a few of the girls who I want to just... I don't know..perhaps punch them in the face... Anyways.. these girls I swear everytime I pass by them they say something in Spanish and they all start laughing.. I know I'm not just being paranoid. The otherday I swore I heard one of them say "puta" and earlier today I walked right past one of them and she said something like "la tortua" or "la tortuga" I don't know something like that... and all of them started laughing, and I looked back and they were all looking at me. Now I don't know exactly what she said or what it meant, but...I am presuming since all of them started laughing that she was making fun of me or saying something that she was too chicken to say in English to me. I was so tempted to just stop and say "is there something you'd like to say to me? perhaps you could say it in English where I could understand you.".. I wish these people would learn to speak English, they're not in Guatamala anymore. I know that it's just a natural reaction to think that they are talking bad about you, when presumably they are not.. I hate that... When people who are perfectly capable of speaking English and they don't. They hide behind their other language.. and get away with saying all kinds of shit because they know we don't speak it. I mean I can understand them speaking it at home at all.. but this is the workplace... I work in housekeeping and there is absolutely no need for spanish to be spoken. uhh It's just really pissing me off. I will probably just go on ignoring them and avoiding them because I don't want to have a confrontation.. especially at work. But I would really just love to punch all of them in the face. ok here's my rant.. like it or lump it.
Just out of curiosity, why isn't it ok for Spanish to be spoken in the work place but perfectly acceptable for English to be? You live in America, right? The melting pot, where there is no official language? Anywho, I understand your frustration, to a point. They may or may not be talking about you. If it really bothers you that much, why don't politely ask them? But really, I wouldn't let something like this get to you too much. Some times things are just best to let go, you know? Edit to add: Why not try and befriend them? They are aren't in familiar territory, and perhaps they are clinging to what is familiar. I cannot imagine it is easy for many to up and leave your country/home/family, even though I realize it was their personal choice. What's the worst that could happen? Make some new friends? I think if you would lose your hostile feelings toward these people, and perhaps take the time to get to know them, at least a wee bit, your work could be more enjoyable.
English is practically the official language of the USA. America was founded by English speaking people. That's why I'm saying they should speak English. B/c we are an English speaking country, am I wrong to feel that way? I'm sure tons of other people feel the same as I do. I am one of those people who are for making English the official language of the USA. I can't help but not let it get to me.... I take things way to personally, it's just the way I am. I would try and befriend them, but it's kind of hard when you suspect they are trashing you. I would like to approach them and talk to them, perhaps become friends with them.. but like I said I'm the sort of person who if I think you don't like me then I just stay out of your way.. and the way I see it is.. they don't like me lol.. coz I mean come on it so obvious to me that they were slamming me in spanish.. I can't help but feel hostile towards them for that. Hopefully one day we can set it all aside and become friends... But I don't see that happening anytime in the immediate future lol. But anyway.. thanks for replying. I liked reading what you wrote.
Perhaps there's not enough efforts to provide english lessons... If you can be perfectly self sufficient speaking in your native language, and would have to go well out of your way to learn a new one, would you do it? Maybe it's the case that it should be made a hell of a lot easier for these people to learn english (ie, free and local lessons?)
it wasnt just founded by english speaking people. many also spoke german. the official language almost was german.
right, so theyre supposed to magically learn all the nuances of english over night. because its not one of the hardest languages to pick up, for all that its plastered across the globe. lets pretend you go to, say, germany. and while working there, you fin din your work place other people whos native language is english. you struggle with german, and you work with the englsih speakers every day. woudlnt you speak in english with them? at least some of the time, if not most of the time?
Who cares who it was founded by...the millions of people who were on this continent first didn’t speak English. So whats your point? The people who pretty much built this country didn’t speak English. And yes English is mostly spoken here but lets remember that this is supposed to be the melting pot. I feel the need to embrace other cultures and languages here because that’s what this place is - a mix of cultures. And no need for Spanish to be spoken? Give me a break. Like you said - youre the type of person to stay out of someones way if they have a problem with you right? So would it really make any difference if they were bashing you in English? I think not. Either continue to brush it off or do something about it.
America has no official language, but it should be English. As far as I know we are the only country without an official language. People being paid to work in America ought to know English. The overwhelming majority of American citizens speak English. But oh my, forcing them to do so would be viewed as being racist and exceedingly politically incorrect!^#!*$@!! oh my! can't have that now
Thanks to all who replied.. some of it was total crap.. I wish I could've erased it.. But.. I have my opinions and views and you have yours... But there's no need to discuss this any further.. I quit that job so I don't have to deal with those people ever again.. ohh and whoever told me to grow up... haha that's funny.. I laughed extra hard on that one. Thanks.
Well, according to Wikipedia: ''A few states, such as Sweden, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, have no official language, although there may be a single de facto main language (Swedish in Sweden, English in the US), as well as a range of government regulations and practices on which languages are expected to be used in various circumstances.'' So I agree english is the most common language in the US but you must also give some time to latinos to learn it.
What is wrong with trying to learn other languages. Think of the look on their faces if you would have wipped out something clever in spanish
