Have you ever been told by someone to speak english?

Question

K, so my grandma doesn't speak a word of english, and my neighbour hears us talking and goes up to her and says speak english and she's like "no english." Then the guy goes you want to live in this country you better learn it. First of all why does we were having a private conversation honestly it's not his business. Second of all I'm tired of people telling immigrants to learn to speak egnlish, it's a free country if I wanted to be harassed I wouldn't leave my own country would I.

Answer 1

No because I do speak English but if I went to another country I'd expect to have a hard time communicating with them, but it would be my fault not theirs.

Answer 2

Even when my country is part of the USA our main language is Spanish and even in here I can find stupid people who thinks that way. I used to live up state New York and I had this Cuban friend and we talking in Spanish and a "gentleman" approached to us and told us the same thing, I turned my self and asked him since when USA was a dictatorial country, that he was the one with a problem since his limitations speaking just one language since I was able to speak Spanish, English, Italian, Portuguese and some Arab. I also asked him who gave you the right to get into other people's conversation without an invitation and if he was the owner of the country. Also I asked him if he knew what our constitution means when says "From the people to the people and that all men are born free and equals..." Sometimes few people;e forget that we are a free country, that our constitution gives us the right of freedom and that this country was form by immigrants who came here looking for freedom, perhaps that when USA started to be a country many of our countries were established already and identified with certain culture and personality. So don't worry for people like that, they are just a hand full, mostly of the people know how to respect the others and to respect the individuals rights that every single person has.

Answer 3

Honestly it is really not your neighbors business, they are just jumping in on the whole learn English or leave crap. For those of you who may not know, most of the Mexicans that are from Mexico, do not have much of an education. This is not their fault, it is the fault of their government. After the 6th grade your education has to be paid for. We are not talking about college either. This is your grandmother and she should not have to change the way she is at this time in her life. I would agree that she should learn a little, just to help her out. I have made it a point to learn some Spanish, only because I wanted to. Unfortunately America is full of racism and hate right now. I just hope that Americans are not teaching their kids to hate. Do not let the ignorant people get to you. I bet that your neighbor really got pizzed when your grandmother just looked at him with the blank stare and grinned, not knowing what he was saying LOL

Answer 4

Why do people think that they don't need to know english when they live in America? Not knowing english just hurts the individual because there are tons of people who will just take advantage of the fact that someone doesn't understand and rip them off. It's not fair but it happens everywhere. When I travel to another country I understand that my own ignorance of that country's language and culture only hurts me and makes others frustrated when they have to interact with me.

I do; however, agree that your neighbor should mind his own business. Private conversations should be held in whatever language that the participants feel like speaking. But, knowing english when one lives in America does make life easier for everyone involved when it comes to business transactions and many other aspects of everyday life.

Answer 5

No but I do make those comments, just not to their face. They may think you are thinking about them. I am just a nosy person in general and if people look at you and speak a different language, some will get offended. And honestly, English is the only way to get ahead in this country. If we went to another country we would have to learn french, Italian or whatever to get anyway. So why should it be any different here?

Answer 6

Well, if I were to go to another country, I wouldn't expect them to learn my language to acommodate me. Thats a bit egoccentric, don't you think? It's polite if they do so, but I would never require it. If I moved to another country, out of pure respect for the new citizens I would be living amongst, I would learn *their* language. Every immigrant who has come here before this latest generation has learned English in order to fit in with thier new neighbors. Its just damned rude as hell to expect your new neighbors to change THEIR ways to acommodate YOU. Of course, no one should suggest that you give up your native language, especially speaking privately, but it is rude if there is someone else in the same room as you are to speak in your own language and you know they won't understand you. Just try and show a little courtesy to the people who were here before you and you shupdn't have alot of trouble.....

Answer 7

yes, that has happened to me before too...

I was at the supermarket with my mom and we were waiting in line to pay. We were speaking in Spanish about something random that happened, I can't remember... and all of a sudden the lady behind us said "This is America, we speak English here, get it?". We just ignored her and kept talking in Spanish, needless to say she was not pleased.

I don't understand this kind of attitude from people. How would she react if she was on vacation in France, and while speaking to someone in English some French person came up to her and started yelling at her to speak Frech?

We are all free to speak whatever language we feel like speaking, and if that makes someone else uncomfortable, it is their problem, not ours. They have no right to impose their ridiculous rules on other people.

I hope you never encounter this kind of closed-mindedness again, although the way things are looking right now, it doesn't look like you'll be able to avoid it.

Good luck.

Answer 8

You know what's funny.. I'm half Mexican but never learned Spanish because it wasn't spoken in our household and I've been confronted by so many Hispanics since I was a little kid, speaking Spanish to me and when I would tell them I don't speak Spanish they would yell at me and tell me I'm Mexican, I should speak Spanish. It happens all the time still. I guess it goes both ways sometimes. Regardless, teach your Grandmother to say, "Go to hell"

Answer 9

because let's see, ya'll should learn english. end of story. why come here, to be successful, and refuse to learn our language? makes no sense to me. instead, us americans are being forced to become bi-lingual if we want certain jobs or even now-a-days, to build a house or anything! RIDICULOUS! how would you feel if we went to your country and refused to speak your language? how would you feel if you knew i was talking about you, right in front of you, and you had no idea what i was saying? exactly....you don't have to deal with that. we do, so stop complaining.

Answer 10

Si