Is it okay (with Hispanics) for a white person to practice Spanish (in the US)?

Question

I've been taking Spanish formally for a year but have been speaking it for a few years and would love to get more practice in. There is a large population of Hispanic, native speakers where I live. The thing is, I am afraid that they will laugh at me and/or be offended if I walk into a deli and ask for "un sandwich con pollo y queso," being a white person. I am also afraid to chat with other native speakers; a lot of them follow the hip-hop/ghetto lifestyle and I'm not sure if they like white people! So, native speakers, help me out. Would it be okay with you for a white person to practice Spanish? Or should gringos be gringos?

Answer 1

I'm Latina, and I actually get really happy when I hear Americans making an effort to speak Spanish with me. I doubt anybody would be offended by you speaking it. Honestly, Latinos get really excited to hear it!

If someone happens to send you a funny look, all you have to do is tell them that you're learning Spanish and would love someone to practice it with. Speak with confidence, it makes a huge difference. Trust me. :)

Answer 2

hahaha your funny of course it's ok. We love it one someone tries to or puts effort into learning our culture and language. About the pollo thing if you say it being serious OR ask if you said it right and that you are trying to learn the language it's ok, but if you say it laughing or with a smirk ok that's not cool they will get offended.
I will tell you one thing though about these hip-hop life style Hispanics, by how it sounds I'm assuming that they also talk ghetto right? well it's not a good idea to start off talking in spanish because I know a lot of people like this and get offended because they don't want you to think that their first language is Spanish or maybe they are Hispanics but don't even know Spanish So first tell them that you are trying to learn then practice with them.
Good luck with your Spanish it's very useful to know it.
buena suerte y conmigo puedes hablar espanol cuando quieras!
(good luck and you can talk spanish with me whenever!)

Answer 3

I am not a native Spanish speaker but my fiance is. She loves it when gringos speak spanish to her because she would rather speak in Spanish. It becomes tiresome for her to always speak in English. Also, when I am with her, all spanish speakers speak to me in Spanish, so I do not think native spanish speakers would mind if you practice with them.

Some native spanish speakers might laugh a little if you make a mistake but I do not think they are being mean, so do not worry about it.

Answer 4

Of course it's okay. I am Italian and everyone I work with thinks I am Spanish so they talk to me in Spanish and I answer them with an american accent . It is really funny to all of us. I don't know why they think I am hispanic since I am white. The only reason I won't speak Spanish is because of my accent. I took 4 years of Spanish in high school and my step dad is hispanic. And to answer your question in more detail: Spanish people are happily surprised and excited when a non-hispanic person speaks to them in Spanish. They are like, "Wow, you know Spanish! That's great!" or "Wow, sabes hablar espanol! Muy bien!" It is actually pretty cool speaking another language.

Answer 5

I think most people are pleased when someone tries to learn their language! If there are some small stores you go in a lot, talk to the man or woman at the counter. Tell them that you are trying to learn Spanish, so when you come in, could they speak Spanish to you. Even if it's just a "Hola! Como estas?", it helps you feel comfortable just walking in and saying hi. Are there some neighbors who will talk with you? Kids are great that way, and they feel proud that they know more than you and are teaching you. Hispanic people are happy to know that Anglos respect their language and know it will be important to know in the future.

Answer 6

Mexicans love to speak Spanish with anyone no matter how bad the Espanol. Lay a little Spanish on su seniorita. or ask in a restaurant to clean the chili con gato next time before bringing it to the table. Have fun with it.

Answer 7

It relies upon on the place they are produced. In Spain, each and every person is, for the main section "white" (however I loathe that factor era - i'm crimson, thank you). So, Spanish television stations tend to forged "white" Spaniards. everywhere else, you're able to could bypass back to the "colonization" (i.e., invasion) of the Americas. To this present day, in maximum Latin American countries there continues to be a sizable social and financial divide between the ancestors of Europeans (specially of Spanish and Portuguese descent) and the "Indio" inhabitants. The "Indios" seem to be looked down on by ability of many in Latin united statesa. and the U. S. and that effect is considered in promotion and everywhere in media merchants. the people who make casting judgements are likely "white," and, for the reason that they arrive to a decision who gets to be on television, they p.c.. "whites." As for darker-skinned Latinos, it may be the comparable element. fairly, those each and every person is racist and make judgements based on the racial recommendations set down over 4 hundred years in the past.

Answer 8

Show 'em you got cajones !

Don't make fun of them

Find out for your self what the ususal reaction is !

Myself I have done this with French,German,Spaniards,Mexicans,South Americans, Arabs, Italians, Swiss,Austrians and almost universally people are tickled if but sometimes amused at the effort being made.

During a recent German trip I became fatigued speaking Germany and began to appreciate this myself when some considerate Germans spoke English to me out of kindness---it reverted to German as they lost some of the vocabulary they were recalling--but it was a very welcome relief !

Answer 9

Of course it's okay. It's the only way your are going to become more fluent and confident at speaking. Most people are tolerant and enjoy helping someone who is trying to learn a new language. Go for it! Buena suerte!

Answer 10

I think it's ok to do it as long as you do it with a humble attitude. Just let them know from the beginig that you just want to improve your skills and that you would like to practice with them. It really irritates me when some who is not a native speaker PRETENDS to be fluent and show off...........
and overall be yourself do not just repeat phrases that you don't even know what they mean, and do not use mexican idioms with everybody, because not every body is from mexico...