Anybody like to talk in a different language in front of people who don't speak the language u do?

Question

...Just so they can't understand what u are saying b/c what u say is demeaning haha?

Answer 1

I think a lot of people miss the point. While speaking in other language is rude, in some countries, people expect that, in fact, people always speak in different language depending on whom they are talking to. Malaysia is a good example, whereby an Indian friend of mine will be speaking Tamil to his friends, and speak English to his other non-Indian friend, and we all get along very well.

The thing is that sometimes people HAVE TO speak in different language because the counterpart just dont understand any other language, or, when two people are so used to speaking in language A, and it happens that they have other company who only understand language B, should they be speaking language B and make the whole conversation so uneasy just because the other guy can't understand the language? Now, who is selfish?Besides, if the conversation is meant to be private, then why should you feel uncomfortable? bcause you cannot snoop into the private gossip?

Just imagine this, if you have been speaking English with your parents all your life, and then you have a French friend coming to visit you in your house. Are you supposed to be speaking French to your parents then(assume all of you also speak French) just to suit the need of your French friend? Try to get into other's people shoes.

Why is this insecurity about not understanding what other people speak? I could not care less what people think about me. A true and good friend of you will not do that to you, and if you suspect something is not right, then confront them jokingly saying things like "Hey, are you guys talking bad things about me?", with the sweetest smile.

Of course, if everybody is just as comfortable to speak the common language, then they SHOULD speak in that common language.No excuse. I was just pointing out the circumstances whereby speaking other language might be necessary.

Answer 2

In most cases, yes. If it's a group of friends, definitely yes. There is nothing worse than being invited to hang out with a group of friends, only to find that they're all speaking a language that you don't understand. It's incredibly isolating. If they want to speak their language, then they should not invite the person, or at least only speak the language when the person is involved in a separate conversation. Other cases, it's perfectly ok. If you don't know the people, or if you're not included in the conversation, they have every right to speak their language. The general public doesn't have an automatic right to understand them. Other exceptions would be if one member does not speak the language that you speak.

Answer 3

I would assume, based on the way the question is asked, that the asker is not really looking for the "right" answer, but the Miss Manners inside cannot help but to say that it is never appropriate. It is incredibly rude, and you never really know what someone understands even if they are not fluent.

Interestingly, speaking in another language in front of a non-speaker is bothersome on many levels. When language is heard -- whether a person is listening or not -- the brain is trying to decipher it. If it cannot, it tries harder, to the point that it blocks out a person's ability to do other things. For example, I worked with a Russian speaker, whom I never heard while on the phone with English-speaking clients. However, as soon as her also-Russian-speaking friend came by for a conversation, I was completely unable to do my job, because I was so focused on their conversation, even though I did not understand a word of it.

Bottom line: be respectful of others, no matter what.

Answer 4

No, I don't do that. I make it a point to only speak in the language that the people around me understand. If I have something to say that isn't all that nice, but I feel the need to say it, I say it in the language that they can understand. What is the point in saying something rude to/or about somebody behind their back? Just have the balls to say it loud and proud, or don't say it at all.

Answer 5

My grandmother (my dad's mom) and aunt (dad's sister) start speaking Lithuanian anytime my mother walks into the room. Once she leaves, they'll talk English again so the rest of the people in the room can understand. It really hurts and upsets my mom.

I'll talk in another language if I'm in a crowd and don't want to be overheard. But I'd never do it just to exclude one or two people.

Answer 6

May I ask you the same qn in return ?

How would you like it if someone talks in a different language to demean you and you don't understand what he's saying but two of them smile at each other and look in your direction but you can only suspect ......

"Ni chen may you li mou"

It's very rude to do that and I would'nt.

Answer 7

I know people who do that. Remember -- you never know who else might actually understand what you're saying.

What you are describing is just as rude as whispering in front of other people.

Answer 8

of course. i speak italian when i wanna say something bad about a person right in front of me lol.

Answer 9

yeah i do that sometimes with my sister an its fun! not like we are making fun of people but infront of people we dont know. sometimes in front of friends as well.

Answer 10

I wouldn't do that... it is really tacky. If you have something to say to someone, say it. To talk "behind their back" is immature and rude, not to mention chicken.