Why should I have to push "1" for English?

Question

My family immigrated from Italy. They did not know the language, but they took the time to learn it well. They speak Italian at home, but outside they always speak English.

Furthermore, they work hard and they love the USA. They don't go to sporting events and waive the Italian flag, or put an Italian symbol on their car.

That's the difference when the Italians and Jews immigrated to America. They left their countries to become Americans. I don't see that from Illegals from Mexico. They want to bring their culture here... with no desire to assimilate.

Answer 1

you are correct but some of those who answered this question did not get it. To migrate to America is to become an American in all respects, you fly the American flag and not have your family name engraved on the back of you pickup and Mexican plate frames for your tags. You learn english as quickly as possible to become successful otherwise you are spinning your wheels. Do not expect the American taxpayer to pick up your tab for your bambinos, your medical ete. When white europeans came to America for the 1600 to 1800s they did not get off the ship and walk to the nearest Starbucks and local grocery store they had to plant, harvest fight hostile indians and many sacrificed and died. illegal mexicans want a warm bed already made for them by Uncle Sam and its time for Americans to stand up and warm them to go home we can no longer afford to support you.

Answer 2

It doesn't bother me. It seems a small price to pay to keep from unnecessarily inconveniencing speakers of other languages. It's simpler than the only alternative which would be for companies to have a separate telephone number for each different language. As English is the dominant language in the US, I'm sure though that I would be a bit put out if it were "press 9 for English" after a long list of other languages. I also agree that anyone living in the US should eventually learn to speak and understand English. However there will always be milions of newcomers and others who still speak only their native languages. Should our nationalistic pride hamper their need to conduct their business? If petty matters of pride like this bother people this much, is it any wonder that the world is always at war?

Answer 3

ludd zarko. Your commentary is the one that is absurd. Why would you need to 'begin' to protest for something that's already there?? And what would be your justification? Someone Yahoo! Answers said he's complaining, so I'm gonna protest now!!!! Waaaaaahhh!

As was said, it is discrimination. How is that "absurd"??
There are no options for Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Russian, German, Italian, Portuguese, Thai, or any of the other numerous languages spoken in this country. And why, pray tell, is that?? We should offer it for all or none, period. Otherwise it IS discrimination. Why should only one foreign language be catered to and not the others??

And I most certainly agree with them. If people refuse to play the "button" game, and complain about it, they will do either one of two things: Stop the button game altogether, or stop discriminating against immigrants of other languages. Regardless, I also refuse to play the button game, and there's nothing absurd about it. If you want to play it, go ahead. I won't...

Answer 4

I don't know about your family, but in most cases historically (now and throughout history) second generation immigrants were the ones to become fluent in English and to assimilate, not the original immigrants- this is particularly true if the immigrants are over a certain age.
While I agree that if you move to a new country, you should try to learn the language, I disagree that you should give up your cultural identity.
The other thing is- most Mexicans are not immigrating to the US for anything other than financial reasons- it's not about fleeing from persecution or anything- they still love their homeland, even if it's economically impoverished.

Answer 5

It is discriminating against other legal immigrants to only have Spanish for a second option. Why only Spanish? I just wait for someone to come on the line. Why bother to learn English when all they have to do is press 2? Stupid illegals.

Answer 6

Why does it bother you so much? Is it so hard to press just 1 button? Or can you just not stand being reminded that foreign languages and cultures exist?

And anyway, it is not because of illegal immigrants that companies offer Spanish in their telephone menus. There are plenty of LEGAL immigrants who speak Spanish. If every single illegal alien were deported, there would still be a large Spanish-speaking population in the U.S. If your family learned English when they moved to the U.S., then good for them, but I see no reason to despise people for not learning English so long as they immigrate legally. And by the way, many Spanish-speaking immigrants are only staying in the U.S. temporarily, because they could only get a permit to stay in the country for a few months. Many of these people work in the U.S. seasonally. When they are in the U.S., they are here legally, but it is not really necessary for them to speak English when they won't be here long.

And why do you care if people use foreign flags or symbols? You do realize that this is a free country, don't you? Here in the U.S., we have freedom of speach and freedom of expression rights, and that includes the right to use foreign flags or symbols. The real anti-Americans are people like you who want to supress free speech rights and force everyone to assimilate into American culture.

And before everyone says that it's discrimination to only offer Spanish but not any other foreign languages, remember that Spanish is the most common foreign language spoken in the U.S. There is a large popualtion of Spanish-speakers in the U.S.- most of whom are here legally, by the way. But there are no where near as many people who speak other foreign languages. However, I think it would be a good idea if they did offer other languages on telephone menus and labels. I wouldn't complain at all.

Answer 7

You don't "have" to press 1 for English. Try it sometime. Ignore the request and when someone gets on the line COMPLAIN about it. If every English speaker refused to press the button and complained every time they called, they would stop.

I agree with the above poster. It IS discrimination to offer only ONE foreign language option. We have people that speak DOZENS of different native languages.

LUDD ZARKO

I don't appreciate the insult. I have EVERY right to post my opinion without insults from you. I wasn't talking to you, so answer the question and don't worry about MY post.

Answer 8

I was real disappointed today when I had to call a bank in Mexico and the option to dial for english wasnt available!

Answer 9

I don't press a button and I won't.
I ignore the "press a button" spiel.

You don't HAVE to press a button. Try it sometime!!! I suggest everybody ignore it.

It's discrimination anyway. We don't have buttons for any other languages. You should offer the option for ALL foreign languages...or NONE...PERIOD.

We have millions of people that speak other languages than English, but only ONE foreign language that is catered to.

Answer 10

Well, about your first question, you have to push 1 because the machine asks you to. Is it so hard, so painful, so difficult ?

About the next, well, if you don't waive the Italian flag, that's entirely your choice. Don't complain

About the illegals from Mexico, if they want to bring their culture here, what's so bad about it ?

Did you belong to the Duce's squadra ?

Again that is THEIR choice

To whiz and prousa2:
Congratulations !
I never thought I would hear so absurd a commentary. You won the prize !

By the way, if you begin to protest against it, we will begin to protest FOR it
And like it or not, you are becoming the minority