Why do some Spanish speakers speak English to me?

Question

I was in line at a Rite Aid last week in LA. The cashier spoke Spanish to everyone in front of me, but when I (blond, non-hispanic) politely started speaking Spanish to her, she responded in English. I am fluent in Spanish and I love speaking it. Why does this happen?

Answer 1

The same thing happens to me everytime I go to a Chinese restaurant, the funny thing is that I barely speak it.
By the way, I was born in south America and my first language is Spanish, so technically I'm also Hispanic. However, other Hispanics don't speak with me in Spanish either. You can call it profiling.

Answer 2

Sometimes the employer asks them not to do it out of fear of offending a non-native speaker who would prefer not to hear it. The same thing has happened to me and I was politely told by a tow-truck driver that in the case of a completely non-english speaker (domestic help, etc.), that it is ok, but that certain chicanos are a little reserved on the subject - that some (he did not share this reserve) would prefer to keep the language to themselves or at least not speak to you in that language until they have known you for awhile - and even then he said that I should politely ask IN ENGLISH if I could be permitted to talk in Spanish to those who had Spanish as their native tongue. I personally do not understand this hands-length phenomenon as I am proficient in Spanish and French, know a little German, Italian, Tagalog, Latin, Korean,etc., and have never had that situation arise in foreign countries when I speak "their" language. In my case it is doubly difficult as my father had a business with a lot of native Spanish speakers as employees, I took for three years in High School, two in college and live in an area of a major city in California where I'd say that at least 75% of the people are bi-lingual in my immediate neighborhood. It seems to me just good neighborly relations to want to speak in someone else's native language but I guess I'm the odd man out. It's funny how when I'm with my friend who has a salsa band that the chicano musicians could care less that I as a gringo would want to sing the songs in Spanish - but I guess musicians have always been a step ahead when it comes to brother (or sister-) hood.

Answer 3

Maybe she was fluent in English and loves speaking it :)

Actually, I think for many bilingual hispanics here in the US it is a matter of pride to be able to conduct their business (personal and professional) in English. This is certainly understandable in the current political environment when Hispanic immigrants receive such criticism when they don't speak English.

Answer 4

Maybe you're not as fluent as you think.

:-)

But more likely, she thought you thought she couldn't speak English, and as a matter of pride spoke English so you would know that she wasn't some Hispanic immigrant who never bothered to learn the lingua franca.

Answer 5

The cashier wants to tell U her English is as good as your Spanish :-)

Answer 6

It happens to me too. I am half hispanic with darker hair and lighter skin but they still see me as a "guera". I read in a global management class that in some cultures, especially in Asian ones, this is their way of emphasizing that you are NOT "one of us" and shutting you out. It's rude in my opinion, especially when you are trying to be nice and make THEM feel more comfortable. Then again, maybe she was trying to make you feel comfortable, thinking you are not as fluent as you are, but the only way to know for sure is to ask! :)

Answer 7

It is probably unconcious. they recognize you as a native English speaker.

It could also be that most American's Spanish is really bad. But I think the former.

Answer 8

Because she figured that you'd be more comfortable speaking in English. Lots of people do that in lots of countries in lots of languages.

Answer 9

One word.. Stereotypical.

Answer 10

Sounds like she was being a puta because she doesn't like las chicas blancas. Lame on her part.