I have a very diverse group of friends and they keep sliding to talking in languages I don't know (their mother tongues)... I don't want to bug them but this annoys me! They say they talk about unimportant stuff, that it's easier, etc... What am I supposed to do while they talk in arabic or chinese? Smile? Any suggestions are welcomed!
2006-12-29 05:40:53 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
this is what i did..
with my chinense frens i kept nodding my head way too much and responded with yeah.. oh sure... of course and laughed out loud as if i understood what was going on. this joke-ingly indicated how i felt hence now they speak chinese+eng, at least i can understand them now and also learn some chinese words:P
once i simply stared at one of the speakers longer than i should have with this blurly look, arched eyesbrows (purposely of course and they know it) and a slight smile. she automatically stopped and started to explain to me in eng. ahh i hope u get what i am saying here. just give them a look that is not rude yet let them know that you want in by giving that I DONT GET YOU look.
the 2nd time they forget you are there... now you can use words. say something light yet funny and maybe exaggerated just to make a point like... 'ok now i feel like an alien' or something like that.
2006-12-29 06:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by doingmybest 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's extremely rude for people to talk in a language you don't understand, especially if its an event you are hosting. The next time you invite people over, I would suggest sending an email or evite to everyone. You should mention that people of mixed cultures are invited to the party and as a courtesy to all the guests, people should make an effort to speak in English.
2006-12-29 07:26:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if they were true friends they wouldn't do that in the first place or they would explain what they are talking about.
i was in the same situation a few years ago. when i explained to my friend how i felt he explained to me that they were discussing a certain hue of blue. it was hard for them to use english to get the point across. - yes , very unimortant, but it made me feel better knowing what the subject was. it's now become a joke to tell me what they are discussing.
2006-12-29 05:46:54 · answer #3 · answered by craina c 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Say "I'm sorry, since I do not speak multiple languages would you please repeat that in English so that I may share in the conversation?".
This will politely bring to their attention that they have slipped into another language.
Also, try to learn more about their languages. You can check out language materials from the public library.
2006-12-29 05:49:29 · answer #4 · answered by Inquisitive125 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They probably don't realize they are doing it. Just ask them a question in English (or any other language you understand), and they will probably realize what they are doing.
Trust me, if these are you friends, they don't want you to feel left out.
2006-12-29 06:13:47 · answer #5 · answered by Sandy Lou 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
start talking gabblegook glabbgookiglabbbbleurgh and see how they like it. or get up and leave. and come back again with the excuse that you were so bored out of your head it was more interesting to stand up and walk away than listen to their garblegook.
in the nicest way possible.
2006-12-29 08:15:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it goes on for more than a couple of minutes just walk away -- they're not interested in you being there anyway.
2006-12-29 12:18:18 · answer #7 · answered by Feinschmecker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"i'm feeling left out of the conversation...can we speak in english please"
"my chinese is a little rusty....could you say that in english"
2006-12-29 06:51:09 · answer #8 · answered by SNAP! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speak English and see if it annoys them.:)
2006-12-29 05:43:05 · answer #9 · answered by peacfulwar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SPEAK TO YOUR WHITE HOMIES IN PIG LATIN & THEN BUST OUT IN LAUGHTER! SEE HOW THS CHINO-GATORS & TOWEL HEADS LIKE IT!
2006-12-29 06:23:41 · answer #10 · answered by Bonno 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋