What does this mean to you? A couple of restraunt employees, working as waiters ..?

Question

would take patrons' orders in English, speak to patrons in English and then turn around and speak to each other in a foreign language. This was done over and over in the middle of a crowded resraunt.
I understood the language, nothing wrong was said but others around me were a bit upset and had opinions that ranged from, "what are they saying to each other ...is it about us?" to "why do these people speak to us in Our language and then to each other, apparently in their own language? It makes me feel like they are discriminating against those of us who are partrons." Several of our group did not want to tip these people as they felt disrespected.
What do you think/feel about this and how should these employee folks behave. Is their activity appropriate?

Aoife: I guess the point is that it is deffinitely "discriminatory" when you speak to one group of people one way and then to "another group" a different way in front of all ...when both speak a common tongue. We were considering a note to the owner as we did not want to start a rowe with the employees out of consideration for all present.

rollins: Yes, several of us kinda felt like, if you come to the USA and work here, you speak in "our" language when in public doing your job. What goes on in the kitchen or private or their own homes, is their choice of course.

Angel: We stopped any talk of them being illegals, as they did speak English and it would have been unfair. If they are working, speaking English (as a needed part of their job) it would unfair for another citizen to question, it seemed to some of us. Not our biz. But the dicotomy of two languages troubles many in our group ...including me.

Thomasina: Several of us decided to write a note to the owners requesting English only out front. If they don't comply, we will not eat there again.
Interesting note. An obviously Amer. girl who worked there for some time and was well known, went to another rest recently, and these two "new" faces showed up in her replacement. We all wonder what's going on.

Cecil: I would agree with you. Vote with your cash and your biz ...or lack thereof.

nandra: They worked hard, were attentive and were equal to any other good servers. The DID make an error in taking my order and delivered the wrong thing. I ate it anyway. What a "Good" American I must be!

Answer 1

* I think its very unprofessional... personally I have worked where there were a couple Spanish speaking employees and they would always talk to each other in Spanish and no one would know what they are saying, so of course, people automatically assume they are saying bad things.. if you are in America, speak English... unless you are in private, then do whatever you want....*

Answer 2

I'll consider plenty of those solutions, however I'm going so as to add to it. A lot of it has to do with the truth it is children running in there, and this new release of youngsters are the laziest, rudest, and so much unappreciative little brats I've ever visible, and I'm simplest 32 years historical. They appear to feel due to the fact they are running at a minimal salary task and now not getting instantaneous gratification (patrons have this predicament too) that they are able to be nasty to whoever they wish. I used to paintings at a grocery retailer, and I might get a few rather fool patrons who might make me mad, however you realize what? I NEVER took it out on any person. I used to be capable to grin and while a nicer purchaser eventually got here alongside, it reversed the bad vigor. It is not tough. If you move to a quick meals eating place while the older crowd is operating, that's the mornings, you'll be able to uncover that the surroundings and purchaser provider is via the roof. Granted, the managers are idiots and do make those children move nuts, and I get plenty of patrons are idiots, however allow me additionally ask this, how complex is it to get an order correct, while you learn it again to any one, and feature it at the display in entrance of you? It is not that tough. Mistakes occur, but if it is 22 occasions in a row, you could have absolutely obtained a few truly rocket scientists running in there. Anyway, my recommendation is to suck it up and manage it, move someplace else, or move within the mornings while the aged are running. Also hold in brain that now not all the children running are punks. It simply occurs to be the bulk. The discipline could additionally play a side in that as good.

Answer 3

This has happened to me on numerous occasions. My grandfather was German and my Grandmother Irish. They came Thur Ellis Island and wanted to follow the Dream of being an American. If our country does not demand English the official language then we will have nothing in commen. Thus we will just be little groups and never come together as a unity. All people in my opinion that work with the public should speak English then they will become more proficient. All this talk about losing their heritage is a bunch of bull. I lost mine and everyone that only speaks English has lost theirs for we are a country of immigrants but Our language united us all. So, I would say for the sake of wanting to assimilate they should speak English among their patrons and realize it is rude not too.

Answer 4

I'm an immigrant in America and, don't confine myself to English when I'm in public, I see no reason why I should. I'm fluent in 2 languages and can get by in 3 more. I'm not so paranoid that if I hear others speaking a language I don't understand that I think they must be talking about me. I know the world doesn't revolve around me.

Answer 5

It was rude, if they were speaking loudly enough for you to hear them. I also consider it a form of whispering secrets and who knows what they may have been saying. When with your friends and family speak any language you choose, who cares? But in a place of business that caters to English speaking people, don't be rude! Got to the back if you fell youmust chat with others, and chatting with others as a worker in a dining room is rude no matter what the language.

Answer 6

I'm sorry but I don't see anything wrong with what the servers did. They have obviously taken the time to learn English and they spoke it to those people who speak English. To communicate with one another they are certainly more comfortable and more accurate speaking their native language. Whatever they were saying was of no consequence to you so I feel like YOU were the rude ones by just trying to listen to a conversation that was not meant for you.
You didn't mention the quality of the service. Was it good, poor, or maybe excellent (other than the language problem)? Quality of service is how I figure my tips.

Answer 7

In my opinion, the waiters should speak English while at work, but from the other answers, not everyone does. As with most business questions, money will determine the outcome. When they understand their tips will be less if they speak their native language, they may reconsider. It is also the right of the employer to require his employees to speak English on the job, at least in my state, though most do not. If customers have no problems with multi-language waiters, speak any language you want. I have found customers may not always be right, but they are always the customer. If you don't please them, your competitor will.

Answer 8

I'm not even going to read the rest of the replies.. I can't believe you would consider shaking down the owner of the business over this by threatening to withhold your trade over this topic!

Clearly you and your party think the world revolves around you to think that the waiters must be speaking about you, and you've not lived in a foreign country yourself to understand that even when you're able to work in your 2nd language, the 1st is always going to be more comfortable.
I would always speak English when it was available to me, even when I could communicate just fine in the foreign language.
sheesh.

Answer 9

Just like the Chinese at the nail salon, and so does everyone else that speak another language, I hate it but what can I do

Answer 10

Oftentimes, the servers will speak English with the patrons and then their native language with the kitchen staff, who may not speak English well. Or maybe during a rush, they feel it's easier to get their point across in their native language.

As long as they can speak English with me, I'm fine.

Answer 11

I would think they are used to speaking to their peer in their own language and don't even notice they're doing it. I speak two languages and often speak to my friends in the 'foreign' one without even realising. The Polish girls I work with are the same. They don't even know they're doing it. If it is a problem tell the waiters and ask them politely to stop.