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

Yes I believe it is VERY rude.. I would suggest you talk to your supervisor in private and let them know that it makes you uncomfortable. These people should be more respectable to the people around them at work. If nothing gets done you CAN sue your employer I know everyone sues but you have to be comfortable in your work place. And that is the bosses job to make that happen. good luck.

Answer 2

Yes, it is very rude. The only time they should be speaking to each other in Spanish is if they are on a break together.

I worked for a large medical center in Seattle. There was such a problem with certain groups speaking to each other in their native languages that no one was allowed to speak in any language other than English while working. If you spoke a different language, you could speak it on your break but not while you were on duty. People were actually fired for not adhering to this rule.

I'd discreetly go to administration/management and let them know how much this bothers you because chances are it's bothering your coworkers too.

If you are working in the US you should have to speak English. If you were to get a job in another country, you'd be expected to speak the language. It should be the same here.

Answer 3

I don't consider it rude, per se. The only way it would be a problem was if they were discussing office matters in Spanish.

There needs to be some kind of rule set forth stating that they are not allowed to discuss office/work matters in any other language.

Yes, it feels funny when people are speaking another language around you that you cannot understand (I was in this same situation in Los Angeles when Russian couple in my office spoke their language in front of us).

If this really bothers you, speak to someone in management or HR. Left alone, this could possibly explode into something much worse.

Answer 4

The reason you think it's rude is because...it IS!

Chatting away in a language not everyone can understand leaves people with the ugly suspicion that they are being gossiped about...or, that there is some other information being secretly discussed.

This is not necessarily true, of course, but it makes a bad impression, and singles them out as non-team players.

This is a job for your office manager. If your manager is one of the offenders, then it's a job for the senior physician.

Because this is an issue that is causing poor morale, it is worth addressing.

Answer 5

Actually yes. Its rude. Its like you are hiding something or you are talking something bad about the other person. Probably you should learn some spanish so you could slap them back and then they would also start speaking in the same language as you.

Answer 6

Offices are not parties.
I'm assuming they are socializing, and that does not have to include everyone within earshot.
So no, they are not doing anything wrong.
When such a thing DOES become rude is when some members of a family are bilingual and some are not, and two or more switch to another language so as to talk about others in code.
In this case, you should lighten up and mind your own business.

Answer 7

I think it's rude and incredibly unprofessional. Not only for you and your other coworkers, but also the patients in the waiting room (who are more then likey there becuase they're not well). Who wants to sit and listen to someone jibber jabber in another language, laughing, etc.? Since you've already talked with these women about it, I'd go to the doctor(s) in charge. These coworkers obviously know how to speak English, or they wouldn't have been hired. Sounds to me like they're trying to be sneaky and have private conversations.

Answer 8

Imagine for a minute that you got a job in another country, say France. You speal French, but when you see other Americans you choose to speak English because it is your native language. It is not rude. It is TOTALLY natual. It is comfortable. Your coworkers mean nothing by it. Don't stress about it.

Answer 9

i think it is, if they are speaking derogatives towards people who they know only speak English. but imagine if you were in Japan and knew some Japanese. would you feel more comfortable speaking in English to someone else who speaks English? I try to see from both sides, even though I never know if people speaking Spanish are slandering me. It would be nice to have people that work in a predominately English speaking country to learn our language though. If I were to go to wherever and work, I'd make every effort to learn the common language spoken there so I can communicate easier with people there, but as far as talking to someone with my own country, I'd choose English over anything else.

Answer 10

Yes I think it is but they would not think it was offensive as it
is their native tongue and they are obviously more comfortable
using there own language than to struggle with 'english'
I think you have done all you can to address them so far.
I would learn something cheeky in spanish and put it to them,
see how they react.

It annoys me too when this happens as I feel I have been excluded from the conversation but as they say 'You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink'

Good Luck