English Language First In America Dammit!!!!

[Sojiita]

Isn't it somewhat funny that its called USBank?

yes it is kind of ironic isn't it? I may have to start going to a different branch..that location is going downhill fast. There is a post office right next door to it...all colonial style and everything..what's next? A Mexican flag at the P.O.?

[Barbara]

Express your anger in clicks.

I swear I read dicks

[A*O]

I get a lot of spam emails from 'USBank' telling me they are having to do a software upgrade, blah blah so could I please re-send my account and PIN number details for security purposes. Since I'd never even heard of USBank, let alone hold an account there, my razor sharp brain picked this one out as a possible scam.

[Grimmlok]

Close call!

[darksithbunny]

We don't speak English here in the states. My good friends in Britain tell me it is American. So I guess we should speak American? That sounds kooky! I just call it English with a twist.

[Beeyotch]

I know you're angry and I understand why, but to couch it in those terms does make you sound bigoted, whether you are or not.

I'm of Mexican descent (but speak English better than Spanish) and have dealt with these sort of comments all the time in my former office and I can't tell you how offensive it is.

You're angry because you were inconvenienced and it's true in this case it was a business situation, you shouldn't have been, the bank fucked up--but to take your anger out like that, making sweeping generalizations about people who can't speak English is kind of narrow-minded and insensitive. Plus it doesn't solve the communication problem, you needed to know what the hell was going on. Getting mad at some person who doesn't understand what you're saying isn't going to make them instantly learn to speak English.

But I do agree that you should take the bank to task for that. That shouldn't happen, and it would behoove their business to get properly trained English-speaking people.

[ralphycnan]

You should write a letter. I agree that english should be the first language here but there are alot of spanish speaking people with money, which is why they accomodate to those people.

[Beeyotch]

Please don't go into "those people" territory. Supremely bad taste.

And it's not even true.

How do you force someone to learn something? Either they do or they don't and adopting an elitist attitude won't be any more persuasive. Jeez.

[A*O]

I don't think it's being 'elitist' to expect people who choose to live in America to learn the language too.

[Beeyotch]

"Those people" is always an exclusive term and to me, elitist. Very subtle, maybe, but many times it is tinged with a "we" are somehow better than "them." Trust me, these conversations too often lead to "this is our country, so get out if you aren't exactly like us" arguments, which smack of intolerance and still don't solve anything.

I AGREE that they should learn English, but bitching and being ugly about it isn't going to do it. Boycotting that business until they change what is clearly a problem might.

You're going to think what you think regardless, but please know before you say things like this that it is offensive to many people, including me.

[Grimmlok]

I'd say "those people" refers to anybody who moves to a country and doesn't bother to learn the native tongue.

[ralphycnan]

Please don't go into "those people" territory. Supremely bad taste.

And it's not even true.

How do you force someone to learn something? Either they do or they don't and adopting an elitist attitude won't be any more persuasive. Jeez.

For your information, like you, I am also of Mexican decent. Spanish was my first language. Speaking english in the US is necessary, just like if someone was to move to Mexico they'd have to learn spanish, right? It pretty much goes the same for all other countries.

[UndercoverGator]

For your information, like you, I am also of Mexican decent. Spanish was my first language. Speaking english in the US is necessary, just like if someone was to move to Mexico they'd have to learn spanish, right? It pretty much goes the same for all other countries.

Absolutely! When I lived in Germany I spoke German with the locals, never expecting them to speak English with me. Not that it mattered because Creole is my first language.

[Grimmlok]

mmm sexy guttural german.. rar

[UndercoverGator]

mmm sexy guttural german.. rar

I met some sexy guttural german men I would have balled had not it would have pissed off the Mr. OH, those Germans!