Is it rude to talk to a Spanish speaker in the United States in Spanish isntead of English?

Question

I am American and I don't have any Latino blood in me at all, but I speak Spanish and I like practicing any chance I get. Is it wrong to talk to people I meet on public transportation or busboys in Spanish instead of English?

Answer 1

I don't think it's rude, but just in case, so that some people don't get offended, even if you know that they speak Spanish, ask them "Excuse me, do you speak Spanish?" and if they say yes, then start speaking Spanish with them. That way you will give them the choice.
Congratulations on speaking a foreign language and for being considerate!

Answer 2

A more likely secenario (although not a forgone conclusion either) would be for Spanish to perhaps reach some form of parity in those southwestern states where the hispanic population is especially concentrated and perhaps a token recognition at the national level. Indeed, although French is not the majority language in Canada as a whole it still does enjoy the status of second language in an officially bilingual nation and is the dominant tongue in Quebec where French-Canadians are concentrated. This may be as far as Spanish could go in the United States--if even that far. Another possibility along the lines of what commentators already bring up is that the United States could become a more class-divided society with a large hispanic underclass. **************************************... I would have to agree with this statement.

Answer 3

Well, if you know that they speak Spanish for sure I see no reason why you shouldn't speak Spanish to them. Its a sign of respect and also knowledge. I think its wonderful that you are able to speak another language (what is right now the 3rd most widely spoken language in the world).

Just be careful that you don't start speaking Spanish to someone just because they look Hispanic or have a Spanish sounding name. Many 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation Hispanics don't know any Spanish and don't care for it either. So, they may take it as an insult.

Answer 4

I think it is just fine to speak Spanish when you know someone else speaks it. What I think is very rude is when you are in a group and only a couple people speak Spanish and the rest speak English, is for them to hold a separate conversation or even comments to each other that no one else can understand.

Answer 5

Well I dont think its rude..just make sure u r not generalizing it..i mean not every latin person u r gonna find speaks spanish. Many latin people in the states doesnt speak it or has never spoken it. So dont make it a ethnia-thing. You could also practice it with spaniards.
Anyways I hope you speak good Spanish in case u come accross with me ;P

Answer 6

Not at all, its rude for them to not be learning English in an English speaking country and making us change a lot of our jobs and ways to accomodate thier language. BUT if you enjoy speakign Spanish and you CAN then you're one step ahead of all of us, b/c bilingual speaking people usually get paid more & have more job opportunities. But,that isn't rude? they probably have that happen often, they might be embarassed that you know thier language, but they cant learn ours, or wont. I dont know?

Answer 7

to may it is yes. well not wrong per se but just a little insulting to them. why? because some feel that you are atutomatically inferring that they dont speak english, which in a way you are inferrign they are ignorant. so that can be a little demeaning for some. also, some dont have the patience to be "spanish teachers" on their way to work or from work. also due to the new immigration debate and a persistant idea of racism in the us, many latinos are scared to speak spanish and show their true colours, due to fear of persecution or racism from people...i.e. other bus riders, etc

Answer 8

I believe it's a fundamental right in a democracy to speak and learn any language you want. If it's not possible by laws it is not a democracy and if a majority of the people look upon it as some kind of problem it's a racial society which should be cured.

Answer 9

I think that some Americans have problems with that, but I don't understand why... if you go to a latinamerican country or another place like France they are not expecting you to talk in their language. I do live in Canada, you can speak in your own language (wherever you are from) and nobody got mad about it.

Answer 10

Of course not, that's why you learned Spanish I assume. I suppose it would be rude if you had a companion with you that had no idea what you were talking about though.