We were on the road,and we stopped for dinner in SW Missouri. In the restaurant I spoke with my wife and daughtter in Russian - our native language. When we leave restaurant, one man said us: "This is America! Speak English!" He appealed to our backs, maybe he was feeling uncomfortable to talk this phrase face to face.
What do you think about this situation and about persons like this guy?
Sorry for poor grammar.
2006-07-27 00:07:39 · 12 answers · asked by forester 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
The man was ignorant. Please try to ignore him. Speak any language you want. America is a free country. There are no rules or customs pertaining to the use of English.
I think it is great that people know more than one language and use their knowledge.
2006-07-27 00:16:00 · answer #1 · answered by regerugged 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You absolutely needn't! Or even: you mustn't! People with such an attitude should go to jail! Spite those American nationalists! Keep speaking your language to your people. You are what you are. Even if u are an American citizen, you are still Russian.
Having said that: Russians have also been known for their nationalism. If, in Russia, a Russian has the same attitude towards people speaking Tatar, Romanian, Vietnamese or any other language (even Chechen) in public places, that Russian should also go to jail!
PS Or if, in both cases, the court settles for community service, let that be in the process of preparation of an ethnic festival...
2006-07-27 07:20:24 · answer #2 · answered by Cristian Mocanu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is SO wrong. I mean, in the first amendment of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution it's said that every person living in america has "freedom of speech". this was written more than 200 years ago and has been followed for that many years. i think that if you can get arrested and put in jail for disobeying the constitution, why can't that man go to jail for what he said to you? or is he not even educated enough to know America's laws??? i think the man was either a complete idiot or a complete jerk to tell you what he did.
2006-07-27 09:24:41 · answer #3 · answered by swimming_dramastar19 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think he has any right to tell u what to do. You did nothing wrong by using ur native language. Persons like him might be thinking u said something against him and was angry he couldnt understand and If he really wanted to tell u he could just have told u in the face..nevermind! talk with whatever lang u want..ur free
2006-07-27 07:14:14 · answer #4 · answered by scartissue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The guy was a coward to wait till you were leaving to speak to your back. He knew a man with his family wouldn't go back and punch him in the nose. If you were alone he wouln't say anything till after you were gone.
Rednecks talk like that. They think it's funny. I bet he was the only one who saw the humor in his remark.
If you were speaking to him in Russian he might be justified but your private conversation is none of his business.
2006-07-27 07:49:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey Russian is your native language and thats what you and your family are comfortable speaking. Give a damn about others who dont like your language. Dont listen to fools who hate your language,,its just because they don't understand what you speak.
2006-07-27 07:20:07 · answer #6 · answered by maxvijay2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an American, I feel embarrassed for him. I'm sorry this happened to you and your family. It's just that right now, with so many Mexicans coming here and Spanish being accepted and even required in many cases, I think it aggravates us. We're not sure where this is going.
I'm sure he didn't mean anything personal. He probably thought you were speaking Spanish! LOL!
2006-07-27 07:15:33 · answer #7 · answered by nancy jo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Never be ashammed to speak your mother tongue its part of who you and your family are. this man was just an ignorant pig because he probably cant understand anyother language than english
2006-07-27 07:12:57 · answer #8 · answered by pinkncheeky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in america, there is something called "freedom of speech" so speak whatever language you want. if your native language is russian, then speak it and be proud of it.
2006-07-27 07:13:15 · answer #9 · answered by lomatar1186 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HE WAS WRONG. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN
NICE IF YOU TURNED TO HIM , OR YOUR
FAMILY AND SAID SOMETHING IN ENGLISH.
I guess they don't see many bi-lingo people there.
He had no idea that, that's thought of people who
are here and don't speak English at all. He didn't
even ask.
2006-07-27 07:26:30 · answer #10 · answered by elliebear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋