Does it bother you when foreigners don't speak English in front of you? (SORRY, DOUBL

[Catzeyes]

If you want a honest answer yes it use too. However now that the shoe is on the other foot I would have to say no. I moved from a small farm town in Wisconsin to Puerto Rico, without knowing a word of Spanish. I have lived here for 3 years now and beside the basics the only Spanish I spoke was my wedding vows. I have given a ton of thought to the subject after all I came here knowing that Puerto Rico was after all part of the US. Three years later this is what I have come to realize:
I am so proud to be an American, even living on an island where even though I do not speak the language they are proud to be American also. I have learned to respect the people here for what they are and for what they have gone through in there lives. They fight in the same wars we do and they die in the same wars. My DH's nephew died the Christmas after I came here defending the states. I may not understand what the person standing next to me is saying but I do hear the pride in their voices. I miss my home in Wisconsin much more then any of you could probably ever realize. I would give anything except for the love I have for my husband to go home,however I made my choice to come here and until we leave together I will be here. I am so thankful that most of the people who live here understand my pride in who and what I am. They understand that I speak the language of my parents and my land. I have learned to understand the same of them.
So what I was use to as an American has changed. To me English is no longer the language of the states. English is what I use to know as the way to talk with my neighbor. Now I am thankful when they take the time to try and understand my very broken Spanish. Now I am very happy that my new Spanish friends and family go out of their way to make my family and friends from Wisconsin feel very welcome here. I have learned so much being far away from what made me comfortable. I now know what it feels like to be the outsider looking in. It has taught me a great deal. I fly my flag with pride. I am thankfull to speak English and to be understood. I am even more thankfull to not speak the language and to be accepted by my peers. I guess what I am trying to say until you leave your comfort zone you won't understand. I guess I am hoping that you will learn to accept people that come to the states and don't know our language as they have accepted me with open arms and with love.

 

[miss missy]

only when its my boss and he talks on his cell phone in his language just so he can talk to his "chic." I think it's rude!

 

[snoopy]

If you want a honest answer yes it use too. However now that the shoe is on the other foot I would have to say no. I moved from a small farm town in Wisconsin to Puerto Rico, without knowing a word of Spanish. I have lived here for 3 years now and beside the basics the only Spanish I spoke was my wedding vows. I have given a ton of thought to the subject after all I came here knowing that Puerto Rico was after all part of the US. Three years later this is what I have come to realize:
I am so proud to be an American, even living on an island where even though I do not speak the language they are proud to be American also. I have learned to respect the people here for what they are and for what they have gone through in there lives. They fight in the same wars we do and they die in the same wars. My DH's nephew died the Christmas after I came here defending the states. I may not understand what the person standing next to me is saying but I do hear the pride in their voices. I miss my home in Wisconsin much more then any of you could probably ever realize. I would give anything except for the love I have for my husband to go home,however I made my choice to come here and until we leave together I will be here. I am so thankful that most of the people who live here understand my pride in who and what I am. They understand that I speak the language of my parents and my land. I have learned to understand the same of them.
So what I was use to as an American has changed. To me English is no longer the language of the states. English is what I use to know as the way to talk with my neighbor. Now I am thankful when they take the time to try and understand my very broken Spanish. Now I am very happy that my new Spanish friends and family go out of their way to make my family and friends from Wisconsin feel very welcome here. I have learned so much being far away from what made me comfortable. I now know what it feels like to be the outsider looking in. It has taught me a great deal. I fly my flag with pride. I am thankfull to speak English and to be understood. I am even more thankfull to not speak the language and to be accepted by my peers. I guess what I am trying to say until you leave your comfort zone you won't understand. I guess I am hoping that you will learn to accept people that come to the states and don't know our language as they have accepted me with open arms and with love.

What an insightful post.

May I ask you what the circumstances were that led you to PR? If I'm being too nosy, just tell me to shut up.

 

[auntpolly]

And, as you can see, a lot of people agree with me.

Oh, I didn't know it was a contest! Well, you win then.

I was just trying to get people to see things from another person's POV, since I can identify. I'm lucky Italians aren't this hard on people, I guess.

There are some situations, coworkers or kids at school that speak another language to be cruel or to exclude -- that would bother me. But people who feel comfortable speaking in a different language simply letting their hair down a little -- I can understand that completely.

 

[Hermosa11]

mmmmmmmmm certain stuations it would bother me.
In that cab.........it would because out of the blue i am now not included! BAM, just like that! I thought the whole ride would have been filled with nice chit chat, but 5 min and BAM, I am now sitting there "alone".........while two people are chatting away.
In the manicure place, it would probably bother me too. I am sitting there and they are all speaking vietnamese while I sat there. Next time I would need to bring something to read since I know ahead of time I would not be included in any kind of conversation.
At my work.........some people chat on the phone in spanish. It bothers me because I can tell it is personal conversation! When the conversation goes on and on and on.........that is just wrong!!! they otta be working!

But probably in other situations It would not bother me. Just depends on the situation.