Is this just RUDE or am I paranoid?

Question

I OWN A AIRBRUSHING CO.WITH MY DAUGHTER AND WE MAKE HOUSE CALLS,WE GOT A CALL FROM 4 ARABIC GUYS WANTING US TO PAINT SOME CARTOON CREATIONS ON THEIR ICE CREAM TRUCKS,WELL WE GAVE THEM A GREAT PRICE AND WENT OVER EARLY THIS MORNING AND STARTED ON THE FIRST ONE,THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEY ALL STOOD AROUND WATCHING US WORK "ALL" DAY AND NEVER GAVE US BREATHING ROOM, BUT THE MAIN PROBLEM WAS THAT THEY SPOKE ENGLISH VERY WELL FROM THE TIME WE TOOK THE ORDER AND GOT OVER THERE AND THEN THEY STARTED TO SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE AS THEY WERE WATCHING US! IS THIS RUDE OR AM I JUST PARANOID CAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE SAYING? SHOULD I ASK THE OTHER 3 NOT TO DO THAT WHEN WE COME BACK TO DO THEIR TRUCKS? HELP ME PLEASE!

Answer 1

It is TOTALLY RUDE!!! I live in a city that has more Spanish speaking people than English, we all know English! I don't speak Spanish, many times they talk with me right there. My question is always like yours, they are talking about something they don't want me to hear! I assume the both of you are women, they are probably talking about your looks or the way you are doing your job. Also, it is soooo annoying when someone is looking over your shoulder constantly, it is like let me do my job and find yourself something to do in the meantime instead of watching and possibly talking about us. Definitely tell them the airbrushing will get done faster and better if you guys could leave us to our job. You are NOT PARANOID!!!!

Answer 2

I've lived abroad in countries where I did not speak or understand the language very well. To tell if you should be paranoid or not, watch these men's eyes as they're talking. Don't stare, of course, but do take a look. Does what you see there make you uncomfortable? Are they looking at and talking about the pictures you're drawing onto the truck, or are they looking at you? See if you can politely ascertain this without causing a fuss. Be objective and calm about it.

If they are ogling you, talk to them and ask them to stop -- but use a polite word for ogling. If you see that they really are just watching what's being painted on the trucks, you'll be glad you didn't make a fuss. They may be speaking their own language to one another because it's more comfortable for them and because they simply aren't expecting to include you in the conversation. Then again, they may be talking about you. You'll just have to check out the eyes.

Answer 3

I do not think it is rude if you are at their home, and among their own family and friends.
If you are working and they are watching it does not mean they are thinking sexually, they maybe just making sure you are doing a good job.

(It was your first day I would want to see the job was going well, and you are preforming an art that most can't do)

When you go back in the morning ask them if they like the work so far. If it is what they were wanting.

If you feel uncomfortable have a male come with you have him kind of help you can find something for him to do

Answer 4

I think it is rude, but as long as they are paying customers and not harrassing you or anything, just do the job, take the money and run. If you think they are all making rude or sexual comments about you and your daughter (and even if you don't know the language, you can still feel those vibes), then simply tell them you can't do the job properly while they are hovering around you. If they don't get the clue and back off, tell them you can't continue and walk away with what they've paid you....there's nothing wrong with that.

Answer 5

I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you feel uncomfortable around them, or think they might try something take a couple of guys with you to "help" you paint. I work with a lot of Hispanics and I only know about maybe 20-30 words in Spanish so I don't understand them when they are talking amongst each other, but I don't let it get to me.

Answer 6

It's usually in poor taste to speak in another language in front of someone that you know doesn't understand it without translating what you said. That said, I feel in your case since they are your customers they have a right to stand around and watch you paint their trucks and if they talk in their language then you can't really ask them to tell you what they're saying. Basically, it boils down to what kind of relationship you have with the people who speak the other language - if you are friends or acquaintances then you might want to talk to them about speaking English while they are with you, but if they are your customers then you can't demand that from them.

Answer 7

You could speak with them about it. If something makes you feel uncomfortable say so. I wouldn't want 4 dudes all up in my sh!t speaking some foreign language. Ask for some room, and that if they are going to be so close, if they could speak english.

Answer 8

It is just rude. Some people are rude and if you want to continue working in a business that serves the public, you will probably have to deal with a lot more rude people. It comes with the territory. Just ignore them, finish the job, and collect your fee in a polite manner. Don't sink to the level of others.

Answer 9

Speaking a language you don't understand in your presence is very rude.. But they are paying the bills... You could let them know you don't like being watched all day..... I'm sure they weren't saying anything bad....

Answer 10

It seems rude to you, but since you can see that they are from a different culture, perhaps it doesn't seem rude to them at all. And yes, you are paranoid if you think they were talking about you. Maybe they were, maybe they weren't.

I think it is reasonable to call them and tell them that you find it hard to work while being watched all day, and would appreciate if they didn't. But I think if you accused them of being rude, then that would be rude of you from their perspective probably.