Why do people go to stores and expect sales associate to speak Spanish?

Question

I don't know about other states, but in TX, we have hispanic people come to the store and just start asking questions in Spanish like we are suppose to know.. it doesn't matter if the sales person is white, black, asian, european, etc.. they come in talk in Spanish to them and then the sales people have to find someone else in the store who speaks spanish.

It's freaking annoying if you want to live here, please learn English, take a picture, and bring it to store, ask "where is" then you point at the freaking picture!

i am not being a racist.

i am just being realistic

I have no problem with them being here legally or illegally, i just think it's for their benefit if they want to live here, they should learn english so they can communicate. this question has nothing to do with racist

Answer 1

For the same reason we have to push #1 for English.

It's pathetic, I know.

Answer 2

Borders Mexico dude. Hispanics make up 36% or Texas's popualtion (8.4 million).

It you go into a store in Quebec, and ask someone where can you find something, they very rarely speak English. English is the official language of Canada but not in Quebec, because of the territories high population of French.

You live in a state where Hispanics will be the majority in 10-20 years. You do not want to be the only guy in the state Saying "Haga usted dice el inglés"

Answer 3

Well, not sure about TX, but here in CO, Spanish is actually the 2nd official language. Really, it was voted on about 10 years ago. So, technically, by law, Colorado stores need signage in both English and Spanish, as well as one or two bilingual staff members. It's like how in some states that are closer to Canada, they have signs and staff who speak both French and English. It's a regional thing.

Answer 4

No. This is against Human Rights. I would assume that White settlers from Europe did not have to learn Iroquois, Cherokee, or Algonquian, right? If so, why force the Hispanics to abandon their language and their culture in favor of superficial assimilation? Yes, Hispanics must be encouraged to learn English, but forced? No. Not at all. Eventually, they will learn English (in the proper and due time). And besides, the United States of America, unlike other countries such as Slovakia or Sweden, was not built for a group of peple with ONE culture and ONE language. The USA was built by the Founding Fathers for all men who desire liberty. How then can you force Hispanics to learn English when in fact, liberty is the building block of American society? Not to mention that the multicultural environment actually helped bring America up. If America was only populated by the Whites and the Native Americans, then widespread racism might have occurred and this would bring America down. So the answer is a resounding no. Hispanics have the right and freedom NOT to be forcibly taught English, but to learn it step-by-step in a manner that they will eventually learn to speak it fluently. However, it would greatly help their social mobility if they do acquire a good command of English.

Answer 5

See for yourself:

http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=&_state=04000US48&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010

In other words, TX has the highest % of Hispanics. Let''s assume 90% of them understand Spanish. Let's assume that conservatively 30% of the rest understand at least enough Spanish to answer questions in a retail environment. So it's a good bet that around 50% of TX understands enough Spanish to perform your job functions adequately.

The real question should be: If you live in TX why don't YOU understand Spanish? I hope you aren't on commission.

BTW, I am not Hispanic and I do not live in TX. I do understand Spanish but I am not fluent.

Answer 6

Is is so hard to believe that in a state filled with illegals that store staff should have someone who speaks Spanish? Please, I live in Columbus, Ohio and we have spanish speaking store clerks. Get over it, this isn't the age of the pilgrims anymore, America is a melting pot of all cultures, races, etc. The sooner "Americans" accept that they are not the supreme race the better off the world will be.

Answer 7

Imagine how they feel in Mexico when you come strolling in their stores asking for something in English. Hey these things will never change.. so we all need to get over it and stop worrying about small stuff. Let's work on stopping child abuse and seeing to it that the abuser gets locked up for good instead of being able to bond out within 24 hours. Let's work on putting an end to domestic abuse and see to it that the woman being abused is able to be heard and helped before she winds up as a statistic. This having to know English because you live in America is bull!!! America was built on different nationalities. I see as many Germans walking into convenience stores who can hardly speak English, but do we say anything about them....Hell no! their white. Quit being a hater.

Answer 8

Yes, it's annoying. I'm Hispanic, but I still think people should learn the language of the country they live in. Sometimes people call my office at work automatically speaking Spanish. They shouldn't assume everyone speaks it.

Answer 9

if you own this business, you are going down the drain, spanish is very important in this nation nowdays, so the same way when a spanish person go to the store and try to speak english to be understood, is defenitely viceversa situation, so I suggest you to learn spanish and other languages, if not you soon be fried.

Answer 10

*This question is not racist* I used work in a store in NM and had the same problem. The worst problem about this is when the customer actually gets mad at you because you don't speak Spanish. Hello? You live in the United States. Learn the language.

Answer 11

Man I hear ya, try being a Mexican in West Phoenix like me and not know how to speak spanish!