Speaking Spanish at work. (company, best, coworkers, hours)

[Burleybutt]

I just have to ask your opinions on a real pet peeve of mine. I moved here from out East and work in a health care setting. I'm awed by how many of my Mexican coworkers (which are many), chose to speak to each other in Spanish rather than English. I mean, it doesn't matter if I'm standing right there and they know I don't understand a word of it. They'll just go on as if I'm not there. Their English is very good when chosen to use it. I find it to be distracting and rude. I can certainly understand using Spanish for patients who can't speak English, but other than that I don't think it's proper or shows respect for being an American. And please don't tell me I should learn to speak Spanish. The last I knew Texas is still in the USA and our official language is English.
When my grandparents got off the boat to Ellis Island from Europe they stayed with a family that sponsored them. The first thing they did was get a job, learn to speak English and do their best to fit into their new land. My father had a very ethnic name that he hated and vowed that all his children would have "good American names". And Europeans from every country had similar stories. So, this is my upbringing and I'm trying to understand what I perceive to be a disregard for and lack of respect for the ideals that have made America the great land it is. Maybe I'm way off base. I'll be curious to hear what you have to say.

[perticusrex]

Sorry to hear you Father was ashamed of his "ethnic" last name.

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by Burleybutt

I just have to ask your opinions on a real pet peeve of mine. I moved here from out East and work in a health care setting. I'm awed by how many of my Mexican coworkers (which are many), chose to speak to each other in Spanish rather than English. I mean, it doesn't matter if I'm standing right there and they know I don't understand a word of it. They'll just go on as if I'm not there. Their English is very good when chosen to use it. I find it to be distracting and rude. I can certainly understand using Spanish for patients who can't speak English, but other than that I don't think it's proper or shows respect for being an American. And please don't tell me I should learn to speak Spanish. The last I knew Texas is still in the USA and our official language is English.
When my grandparents got off the boat to Ellis Island from Europe they stayed with a family that sponsored them. The first thing they did was get a job, learn to speak English and do their best to fit into their new land. My father had a very ethnic name that he hated and vowed that all his children would have "good American names". And Europeans from every country had similar stories. So, this is my upbringing and I'm trying to understand what I perceive to be a disregard for and lack of respect for the ideals that have made America the great land it is. Maybe I'm way off base. I'll be curious to hear what you have to say.

Yeah, you're way off base. My grandfather came through Ellis Island from Italy. I grew up in the East as well.No way he was changing our name. Nothing to be ashamed of.
It's not a lack of respect with the Spanish speakers...it's most likely a comfort thing. My wife is bilingual, but is more comfortable speaking Spanish. I have not, and will never, try to impede her speaking of the Spanish language (I learn more this way anyway).
BTW- Those aren't Mexicans that you work with...they're most likely Mexican Americans...and no, English isn't the official language of the USA. We don't have one.

[sakssa]

I think it's pretty rude myself and I understand Spanish. Maybe next time they do it ask them what they just said after every sentence. Doesn't Mexico need some good nurses.

[JuneOf48]

I am Anglo but speak Spanish every chance I get: at the restaurant, with the neighbors, at school, etc. Great practice!

[wellguy]

My wife is Mexican American and speaks Spanish. If you were to speak to her on the phone you would have no idea she was - no accent what so ever. She often speaks Spanish while I around . It may be when she is on the phone or in person or talking to a familty member. I have never been offended. Maybe its because I know the curse words.

firstclassflyer is right in saying its' a "comfort thing". Don't be offended. Be glad that they are your friends and good co workers.

[Dopo]

Don't take my comments the wrong way, I just wrote what I thought.


My first language is Spanish and I lived in Missouri for many years (nobody speaks Spanish over there) so I understand your point of view.

Yes, it is disrespectful to speak a different language when somebody is part of a group and doesn't understand it. (I know, it's difficult to define who is in a group)
No, it is not disrespectful if you are not part of the group. If you are not part of the group then you should mind your own business.

Yes, Texas is part of the US,
but the US is a huge country and every city is different,
go to West St. Louis in the middle of the US and you'll hear people speaking in Hebrew, Russian and other Eastern European languages.

With all due respect, the story about Ellis Island is irrelevant (ask a Native American what they think about it)
we are 2 hours away from a country that speaks Spanish,
people can ride a bicycle from hear to Mexico, so guess what, you are gonna hear Spanish.
It would be exactly the same if Italy, Germany or any other country bordered the US.

What do I really think about the whole language issue...
If we all had to adapt and learn the language...
we all would be speaking a native american language.

[Dopo]

I work in a company where most people are architects or engineers
if you walked in there you would never expect anybody to speak Spanish.
I would say, about 5% of us look Hispanic.

Guess who is always saying things in Spanish...
Not us, but "the other people", I think because they want to learn Spanish.

They are always cursing or saying words like:
small, big, fast, what do you want?, she's hot, etc, etc.

[dmmjsm]

I think its rude, no matter what language they are speaking. People are jerks sometimes. If coworkers are speaking a language they know I can't understand, evidently I'm not meant to be in that conversation. Harsh, but true.

We moved here from Va, and have had a hard time adjusting to San Antonio sometimes because of language/culture issues. We hear Spanish everywhere we go. People automatically assume I speak Spanish I guess because of my looks, and a few have gotten mad when I could not understand them. My kids hear other kids and staff members speaking Spanish all the time at school, and have been the recipients of that exclusive behavior from fellow students as well.

But- we moved to a heavily Spanish speaking part of the US, so what can we do? Deal with it I guess until we either learn to speak Spanish or learn to better ignore it or move.

Some of my ancestors came to this country through Ellis Island from Italy, but some were Natives already here. Some of our ancestors changed their names slightly to more American sounding names, and some had no choice but to change names and beliefs because their languages were no longer allowed. Our country has a shameful history in regards to wiping out people's languages and cultures. I wouldn't want someone to give up their language just to become American. Learn English so you can become a citizen, sure, but speak it or whatever language you wish with those you wish. Thank goodness its a free country.

[AnthonySA]

I usually don't care what language people are speaking when they aren't talking to me.