How do you feel about the Operator saying Press 1 for English, Press 2 for Spanish?

Question

I think people should learn English if they are going to be living in America. Skip the hate mail, please.

Answer 1

I totally agree with you!!!

Answer 2

Just because the service is offered in Spanish doesn't mean that the people who use it can't speak English. If you were to learn a foreign language well, and have the option of using either that language or English, I bet you'd use English, even if you had a good command of the foreign language, just by virtue of English being your native language, and the language with which you are most comfortable.

Also, you make it sound as if learning a language is something you can do at the drop of a hat. You can't just snap your fingers and start speaking a language like a native. It is a long and gradual process. Even if a Spanish speaker were to take the amount of instruction in English that is required to legally become a citizen, that doesn't mean that they are as fluent with English as they are with Spanish. They would still most likely prefer to use Spanish, if given the choice.

And finally, when the operator told you to "press 2 for Spanish", what language were they using? If it was English, that assumes that the person who is listening has at least a nominal understanding of English, which supports what I said in the two above paragraphs.

Answer 3

I think it's better that way because that way more people can use the Operator. It's not only for people who DON'T speak English, but also for those who just speak Spanish better than they speak English, even though they still may speak English. So, I don't think it's a big deal because if you speak English than press one right when she says it and it's hardly a waste of your time at all and there's really no reason to complain since the US actually has no official language.

Answer 4

I agree people should learn english if they live in
America , along with the native Indian language as
after all that is the true language of the United
States as english came from abroad. I came from
Germany and lived in the U.S. and learned english
at age three. I also speak Spanish and Turkish,
why because all of us Americans are from diff-
erent countries and that is what makes up Amer-
ica not english.

Answer 5

Why does every one have to be a hatter about Spanish speaking people? so what if theres a damn option to speak Spanish. Its not gonna kill you to hear the word Spanish is it. Its a language just like all other languages, if Americas second language was French, you'd hear, press 2 for French. Thats not a big deal is it, since Canada is right above us. You would be lucky to be bilingual, but most people choose to remain ignorant and complain, instead of learning something new.

Answer 6

Well, i don`t think it`s a problem, since there are so many Spanish speakers in the country, but i do not agree when they insist speaking spanish with people if they don`t even know you`re not a Spanish speaker.. I speak Portuguese and i had some trouble at work when one lady wanted me to speak Spanish with her, i totallly don`t , and she was mad and said to me.. - You`re in Florida, you SHOULD speak Spanish and i said : - That`s right, i`m in Florida, and the official language here is English, unless somebody changed that and i don`t know!!!That`s why i speak English, it`s not perfect, but at least i`m trying..

Sorry for saying all that here, but it really got me mad!! I really want to learn their language, but , it`s not an obligation since i`m living in the USA. I came to this country to learn it`s official language, and that`s what i`m gonna do!!!!

Answer 7

It doesn't bother me at all, it's kinda nice how they provide spanish for non english speaker. Maybe in the future, they'll have other languages as well but that'll probably take too long. I heard there's a different phone number for the specific language you can dial. Anyway, just have an open heart.

Answer 8

I KNOW!!!! SO the other day, I had to call Target and a recording came on and it said something in English and then in Spanish. Throught the whole recording, I had to continue to listen to the Spanish!

Answer 9

Did you try to learn the native American language when YOU people came settle on the New Continent?

Answer 10

it doesn't bother me overly much. but i think you are right. they have come to America therefore they should learn the language. its almost like we are 'babying' ppl who speak Spanish, and because we offer the option to these ppl they arent even trying to learn english. if i went to a Spanish speaking country i would expect to have to speak Spanish, it should be the same for them.

Answer 11

I agree. If I were going to live in Spain, I would certainly be learning Spanish.