At work a couple of my co-workers frequently speak in Spanish to one another. Would you consider this rude?

Question

I work in a front office for a medical office where everyone works in an open environment, meaning we aren't in cubicles or individual offices - everyone can hear everyone speak. I'm not at all concerned whether or not they are talking about me per se, but myself and a number of my non-Spanish speaking co-workers thinks that it is extremely rude. I have commented a number of times to them that I think it is rude, but they just smile as if I am kidding.

I think it is really rude and classless - what do others think? If you agree how could this be handled discreetly? I don't want them to think that I am snitching on them to management, but this has to end - it's very irritating.

Answer 1

You know what? A similar situation happened to me recently. I DID find it incredibly rude!

I'm sure people will call you racist or something, but I guarantee if the shoe was on the other foot, you'd be in trouble with the bosses for speaking English when Spanish was the language of the day.

Sad...but it's the old double standard...AGAIN.

Answer 2

Yes, it looks like you're kidding - either that or you're the rude one. Let's face it, if their mother tongue is Spanish, they probably are more fluent in Spanish, not English, but I'm sure they speak in English when speaking to everybody else, right? So, what do you really care? What makes you think of it as "rude" or "unnatural"?
I'll give you two different examples of rude: a) An English soccer coach, Bobby Robson, who lived many years in Portugal, never learned to speak Portuguese. That could be considered as rude - I think of it more as stupid. b) Now, this is rude. I worked as a journalist for years in an economy newspaper. Once, I tried to interview someone in charge of a firm on the phone who was English. I'm quite fluent but less so in particular economy terms. That means I had to think a bit when speaking with him. Well, the guy, or should I say bloke or bugger, was very tense. "Don't you have anybody there who speaks English?", he shouted. I replied: "My English is fine, thank you, but you're the one who should be trying to speak Portuguese if you're living and working here. If you're not interested, you can go back to England right now. Thanks and good day to you". And I hung the phone. Now, he may have thought I had been rude. But if anyone was rude there, that was him.

Answer 3

I have been in the same situation and yes I also feel that it is annoying and somewhat, not extremely, rude. My suggestion is to tell them as a group (possibly you and the other non Spanish speakers) to as many of them as a group one more time. Do it as diplomatic and non threatening as possible. You must exercise caution here...If this cannot be done in a friendly light hearted way, then it would not be a good idea.Just let them know how you feel as a group and that it makes you feel uncomfortable.
I personally don't feel that this will make them stop. I believe this is an advantage they prefer. Yet they will at least know how you feel as a group.

If they don't comply, you must then draw up your reserves and show some class. I suggest you ignore it from then own. You must not show to them that it bothers you anymore. As a matter of fact you have to get pass it and be determined to not let it bother you. Otherwise everyday on your job will be miserable and you simple cannot blame them for it , They are only doing what comes naturally to them. We cannot always have everything our way all the time. I would be determine to be as nice and as cordial to them and get over the distraction.

My #1 rule is " whenever things are not going your way...use this as a chance to show how much class you have".

Answer 4

All I have to say is pretend you moved to a foreign country for a job transfer or something, say Spain. You meet another American working in your building. Would you two talk in Spanish and be lost in translation? No, I believe you would talk English because it is so much simpler.

Answer 5

well i agree its very rude u can tell them not 2 speak spanish or maybe u can talk 2 ur other friends in a language which they dont know may be by ths they realise their mistake n stop spaking in spanish

Answer 6

I think as long as they are quiet, it shouldn't be too big of a problem. If they are walking down the hallways literally yelling in spanish to each other... that's rude, no matter what language it's in.

Answer 7

No, speaking english in public is now considered rude. Get with the times. Haven't you ever thought of the illegals feelings?

Answer 8

It happens to me all the time. It used to really bother me but now I could care less.

However, when two or more co-workers are speaking spanish and they're LOOKING at me.....I have to approach them and ask them to please speak english when they look at me, or don't speak at all.
That pretty much shuts them up.

Answer 9

yes if no habla Espanol. learn some basic spanish & throw some at them, they think you may understand some of what they're talking about. works for me!

Answer 10

Depends on your upbringing.They were raised that way. Perhaps they don't even realise that they affect you that way. You're irritated because you ALLOW yourself to be affected by their actions. maybe its time you ACCEPT them the way they are' then you won't mind them at all.