I've experienced dozens of occasions where someone expects me to translate for them. I've been in Home Depot, grocery stores, Best Buy, auto parts stores where I'm in there to pick up something I need. And then I'll get someone coming up to me and saying "No hablo inglés, necesito que me lo traduzcas. Quiero comprar (un artículo al azar)." I'm not there to be your personal translator. Not my problem. I'm part Hispanic. I was both in Mexico. I can speak English, Spanish, a decent amount of French, some German, and can still remember some phrases in Russian and Chinese. The last two, enough to be able to ask for basic directions. When I respond with "I didn't understand a thing you just said", at least half the time they get mad at me, telling me I should know how to speak Spanish. That also goes the other way douchebag. I've been to dozens of countries, if I've been there for for an extended amount of time, I'll learn enough to get by. I'm not saying go back to your country, I'm saying if you want to function here learn the language. I have zero obligation to take time out of my day to do something you're not willing to do yourself. So yeah, you feel that someone doesn't have the right to tell you to speak English, don't tell someone the have to speak your language because they look like they do. Well anyway, that's my rant for the day.
I completely agree. I love languages. I'm trying to learn Spanish so I can better understand the vendors and customers we get at the market. It seems my ability to quickly pick up on languages is not what it once was. I'll try and get laughs, which is fine, because most people are kind enough to correct me properly. I've only insulted someone's mother/cousin/dog twice. Getting angry about it? Yeah, it's absurd. It's insecure white people, that's who it always is, except for that one Mexican lady who told me "all these fucking Mexicans should go back to their own country." She meant it, too. That was a surreal moment.
I think that it's less about a demand and more about making an effort. It works both ways, too. My relatives in Brazil appreciate when Gringo speaks Portuguese, and most of them falo Ingles muito bom these days. And, of course, alcohol helps bridge any language barrier.
I've been to a ton of McDonalds, including some in areas with significant Spanish-speaking populations, and while I've never ordered a Happy Meal, I assume you order all foods in the same language. I have never been to a McDonald's where you couldn't order in English. Is this something you've experienced, or just another one of your persecution fantasies?
I haven't been to McDonald's in many moons, but even back then it wasn't uncommon to have to point at menu pictures to place an order, while the staff jabbers a million miles an hour in spanish.
I'm assuming a troglodyte has showed up in the thread to put down the Mexican folks who are at our flea market. Since that person offers nothing of value to anyone, I'll just continue to add that I am learning Spanish to better understand those folks at the market, and also I've learned phrases that I can use in the event ICE shows up there, because as far as I'm concerned, everyone at our flea market's a red blooded American and is as legal as grandma and apple pie. That guy selling taquitos? That's George, and he used to be an all star linebacker from Alabama. The lovely lady selling "Viva Mexico!" blankets and towels? That's Suzanne from Maine, and she's a big fan of WWE and NASCAR. I will actively interfere with our nation's bigotry and I genuinely do not give a fuck to do so. I'm tired of this bullshit. These are good people, and they deserve to be here.
A couple years ago I was driving home from work. I forgot to make a stop. I pulled into a park to turn around. There were a lot of Hispanic there. They were grilling, playing music, drinking beers. I was driving slow because of how packed it was. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was the Assumption of Mary. I drove past a large group, about 10-15 of the just bolted and ran off into the woods yelling. I was driving a silver-blue Grand Marquis. And to be fair, the shirt and sunglasses I was wearing kind of made me look like I could of been a Federal Marshall.
