funks 1 #26 June 17, 2004 Quote>My thought is that if you live in an english speaking country - live > there, not just visit - then it would behoove you to learn that > language. I agree; people should. But I don't think they should be made to. If they don't want to learn, then they have problems reading signs etc. but that's up to them. Fine, dont force people to learn the language, if that is going to be the case then lock them in their home and do not allow them to socialize or interact with the english speaking public. This will prevent them from getting jobs at fast food windows, screwing up my order and then acting as though I AM the idiot for not understanding what THEY are saying...its hard enough to understand somebody speaking english through those damn speakers, last thing i need when i am hankering for a wendys double is some non-english speaking idiot asking me to repeat my order 5 times.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #27 June 17, 2004 QuoteI agree; people should. But I don't think they should be made to. If they don't want to learn, then they have problems reading signs etc. but that's up to them. So you advocate no special treatment because someone, as a citizen, can't read and write english because it's a second language? Good deal! I agree!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #28 June 17, 2004 But I don't think they should be made to. If they don't want to learn, then they have problems reading signs etc. but that's up to them... What if they have an accident and kill someone because they could not read a sign in English; because they were too lazy to learn English? "Los Angeles County employs 420 full time court interpreters. Each is paid $265 a day." "When a Ukrainian immigrant murdered his family last fall, the police investigation was hampered by the fact that most Ukrainians in Citrus Heights, Calif., speak only Russian or Ukrainian."- Don Feder, Boston Herald, 2002Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #29 June 17, 2004 Ok, I'm sure somebody's grandmother will never learn English. Just don't let her get a pilot's license.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #30 June 17, 2004 How about the language police in Quebec? To operate a retail store, you MUST be able to speak French. There was a story in a Toronto paper about a mini mart owner from Pakistan that operated the store with just himself and his wife. A judge ordered them to take French lessons. He did not have the right to deny himself business from French-only speakers. That is not freedom. That is screwed up.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #31 June 17, 2004 Interesting that this topic is here today. We were just discussing this at work today as well! I work in a rehabilitation hospital where we get numerous language challenges. Our policy is to provide (at our expense) an interpreter for each and every language we encounter, if they can't speak English. We have, on staff, a number of employees who speak various other languages....Spanish, Tagalog, Russian, Portagese, German, Thai, etc. However, if we don't have a staff member available, we hire one from an agency. This policy has brought us business. That's a fact. It shows a caring spirit in our health care system, and our patients get that extra added bonus of knowing their entire needs are taken care of and they are understood. Makes our job easier. However, I still believe that if a person travels to another country to live, they should have an operational handle on that country's language. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it should allow them to interact without barriers. I've had friends from numerous other countries come here to the U.S. They attended the (free) adult education classes on their own and learned (if they didn't know English already). I was impressed. They were proud of their accomplishment. They were ALOT more likely to land a job, too. They knew that, and adjusted. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crwmike 0 #32 June 17, 2004 QuoteInteresting that this topic is here today. We were just discussing this at work today as well! I work in a rehabilitation hospital where we get numerous language challenges. Our policy is to provide (at our expense) an interpreter for each and every language we encounter, if they can't speak English. We have, on staff, a number of employees who speak various other languages....Spanish, Tagalog, Russian, Portagese, German, Thai, etc. However, if we don't have a staff member available, we hire one from an agency. This policy has brought us business. That's a fact. It shows a caring spirit in our health care system, and our patients get that extra added bonus of knowing their entire needs are taken care of and they are understood. Makes our job easier. However, I still believe that if a person travels to another country to live, they should have an operational handle on that country's language. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it should allow them to interact without barriers. I've had friends from numerous other countries come here to the U.S. They attended the (free) adult education classes on their own and learned (if they didn't know English already). I was impressed. They were proud of their accomplishment. They were ALOT more likely to land a job, too. They knew that, and adjusted. ltdiver First, I agree with you. I don't understand how this brings you business, however. I've worked in 25 or so hospitals in my career ...they all do this. Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #33 June 17, 2004 QuoteFirst, I agree with you. I don't understand how this brings you business, however. I've worked in 25 or so hospitals in my career ...they all do this. Firstly, we are a private, self-supporting, non-government, not-for-profit rehab hospital. Nationally known by those in the business. Secondly, no other facility (I call them pseudo-rehab) facility in the area has this policy. Only acute hospitals do. So, among other things we offer, this gives us a leg up on the competition. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #34 June 17, 2004 QuoteGet over it. It's called business. If a large percentage of people with money are more comfortable using another language, then a business concerned with making a profit will cater a portion of their business to them. To do otherwise would be to give the business to another company willing to do so. This is the American way. Agreed. Private sector businesses are welcome to do as they like. But being that you need to be a US citizen to Vote and a requirement of being naturalized is to be able to read, write, and speak English, I don't believe it right that tax dollars be wasted on printing voting materials in 7 (or more) languages. It is also my personal belief that we are not going to lick this literacy problem until we start holding fast to ideals like English being the accepted language in this country. Until you can get a majority of the people to agree that the official language is Spanish, French, or whatever, English it is. It should be mandatory that all functions involving government US residents and citizens should be conducted in English. And business that accepts government funds should have the same requirement.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #35 June 17, 2004 QuoteBut I don't think they should be made to. If they don't want to learn, then they have problems reading signs etc. but that's up to them. Add to your list: if they have problems.... Voting. Getting a free Education at taxpayers expense. Geting free health care at taxpayers expense.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bch7773 0 #36 June 17, 2004 I think the learning of languages should work both ways. Its wrong that immigrants come to the US to live, and never attempt to learn english. but its also wrong that people in the US never even try to learn another language. especially those who travel to other countries. MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Botellines 0 #37 June 17, 2004 Are you having problems vocalizing? Try this one. Dame una hamburguesa ahora maldito bufon. You may have better luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Botellines 0 #38 June 17, 2004 The truth is that US people seldom try to learn spanish when they come here to live either (I have checked this mysel in St Louis University in Madrid). Inmigrants going to the US seldom do their best to learn the local language. I guess that this may be because: a) They have low paid jobs, so they have to work long shifts leaving them few time to go to class b) since they don´t speak english initially they prefer to hang around with people who can communicate with, efectively reducing the need to communicate in English. Case B also affects US exchange students. So seldom people try to learn another language regarding of the status, and that is a pity. But i don´t think the solution would be not putting any sign in foreign languages. What would the tourist do? (voting and such do not apply here) Edited for clarity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crozby 0 #39 June 17, 2004 Some countries like Australia charge immigrants a fee if they cannot speak English to cover the cost of English lessons. This seems a fairer system than providing translators for all the public facing government/health departments and expecting the taxpayer to pick up the tab. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
419gotaminute 0 #40 June 17, 2004 ufortunately I know what a dry county is... skydive dallas is located in one Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #41 June 17, 2004 Quoteufortunately I know what a dry county is... skydive dallas is located in one... They voted it in a long time ago here.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Remster 30 #42 June 17, 2004 QuoteA judge ordered them to take French lessons Which are offered free of charge to all Canadian citizens and immigrants by the Quebec government. Sounds like a good deal to me.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Steel 0 #43 June 17, 2004 but it sure as hell wont help in business unless you do business with that specific nationality... ===================================== Not that I totally disagree with your frustration. On the contrary, I feel a lot of it. However I get the feeling that you are weakening my arguement because you don't know what your talking about. So please tell me what nationality are you talking about? Because in case you don't know nationality refers to a nation. Not some category that some ignorant liberal decided to make by changing the meaning of a word that meant someone who descended from Spain (Hispanic) to people of all four races and more than 20 different NATIONS, simply because they happened to be conquered by Spain at one point and were therefore forced to speak Spanish and learn Catholism. Also in response to Quade, its not about money its about political correctness. while Miami only has 5% of the Latino population in the US, half of the 40 largest Hispanic owned business are there-- including 2 of the three largest. with its.30,000 businesses it has by far the highest rate of per capita. Business ownership in the country Cuban owned firm had $5.5 billion in sales in 1987 Total receipts for Hispanic firms in Miami were $3.8 billion--- $450 million more than in LA and $2.1 billion more than in New York! Now you may ask what does all this mean well that is very simple. Cubans vote about 87% Republican, they resent being referred to as minorities, they hate bilingual education and guess what, they have the most money going into those banks too.If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass. Can't think of anything I need No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound. Nothing to eat, no books to read. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Newbie 0 #44 June 17, 2004 QuoteQuote>My thought is that if you live in an english speaking country - live > there, not just visit - then it would behoove you to learn that > language. I agree; people should. But I don't think they should be made to. If they don't want to learn, then they have problems reading signs etc. but that's up to them. Fine, dont force people to learn the language, if that is going to be the case then lock them in their home and do not allow them to socialize or interact with the english speaking public. This will prevent them from getting jobs at fast food windows, screwing up my order and then acting as though I AM the idiot for not understanding what THEY are saying...its hard enough to understand somebody speaking english through those damn speakers, last thing i need when i am hankering for a wendys double is some non-english speaking idiot asking me to repeat my order 5 times.... if it wasn't for those "non-english speaking idiots" at the window at the drive thru, being paid $4/hour (if lucky) to have some "lazy non cooking person" shouting and screaming at them to get the order right and learn to speak the language now they are in 'your' country, you would be hard pushed to get your burger, and get it at the measly price you pay for it (someone has to work for pittance to keep prices low, and it's certainly not Wendy's board of directors). Likewise, if you like the fact you get cheap and plentiful groceries, get someone to hand wash your car and pump your gas for next to nothing, someone to clean your drains and guttering, clean your streets in the rain while you sleep warm in your bed at night, collect your trash early in the morning before you get up, clean the bathrooms in the offices you work and generally look after you and afford you the cost of living you are so accustomed to, i wouldn't worry about the fact you have to hear 5 seconds of recording on a 411 call telling your to push 1 for Spanish (remember, your brain doesn't always have to do what your ears hear - choose to ignore that bit). The saying "don't bite the hand that feeds you" comes to mind.... Edited for tipoz "Skydiving is a door" Happythoughts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites diablopilot 2 #45 June 17, 2004 QuoteThe saying "don't bite the hand that feeds you" comes to mind.... That and the above was a load of rubbish.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Michele 1 #46 June 17, 2004 Quoteif it wasn't for those "non-english speaking idiots" at the window at the drive thru, being paid $4/hour (if lucky) to have some "lazy non cooking person" shouting and screaming at them to get the order right and learn to speak the language now they are in 'your' country, you would be hard pushed to get your burger, and get it at the measly price you pay for it (someone has to work for pittance to keep prices low, and it's certainly not Wendy's board of directors). I'm not lazy; sometimes it's either eat at fast food or don't eat...and I suspect it's that way for lots of folks.... I don't yell at them. I've not raised my voice at someone who did the job I did back in high school. I won't raise my voice at them, either... QuoteLikewise, if you like the fact you get cheap and plentiful groceries, It's unionized here, so I suspect they make a nice hourly wage.... Quoteget someone to hand wash your car and pump your gas for next to nothing, I don't have someone hand wash my car, and I use self serve gas.... Quotesomeone to clean your drains and guttering, The landscape guy my family uses (on three properties...) has been working with us for years, and does the twice yearly cleaning of gutters for us. We pay him well. As for someone to clean my drains, the last time I used a plumber, he was $75 for a house call, and then $50 per hour after the second hour. He worked very hard, but also was paid very well. Quoteclean your streets in the rain while you sleep warm in your bed at night, collect your trash early in the morning before you get up, Both of those are city employees, and make a more substantial wage than I do, along with retirement/medical benefits.... Quoteclean the bathrooms in the offices you work I have no idea about those guys' wages, so I can't comment.... Quoteand generally look after you and afford you the cost of living you are so accustomed to, I look after myself, and I afford the cost of living I am "so accustomed" to....me. No one else. I clean my own house (like the majority of us do); I cook most of my own food (like most do). I look after myself, thank you very much.... Your entire diatribe has nothing to do with the ability to speak the native language of the country you're working and living in... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Newbie 0 #47 June 17, 2004 QuoteQuoteThe saying "don't bite the hand that feeds you" comes to mind.... That and the above was a load of rubbish. why? "Skydiving is a door" Happythoughts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites billvon 2,998 #48 June 17, 2004 >Fine, dont force people to learn the language, if that is going to be the >case then lock them in their home and do not allow them to socialize or >interact with the english speaking public. To protect your delicate feelings from hearing a language you don't understand? >This will prevent them from getting jobs at fast food windows, screwing up >my order and then acting as though I AM the idiot for not understanding >what THEY are saying... Here in CA it's a lot easier to understand the guy with the mexican accent than the surfer dude who's too lazy to speak in complete sentences. "Can I help you?" gets pronounced as "Cahea" or something. Which is actually more confusing than "whaddya want?" - but that's not on the sheet of phrases they're supposed to use. >its hard enough to understand somebody speaking english through those >damn speakers, last thing i need when i am hankering for a wendys >double is some non-english speaking idiot asking me to repeat my order >5 times.. Why do you go to places that piss you off? If you only went to places that hired caucasian people who all spoke english without an accent, and everyone followed your lead, the problem would go away overnight. However, I suspect one of the reasons you go to Wendy's is that it is cheap and fast. Hence they hire people who aren't english majors; you support them in doing this. Silly to complain about the very thing you're supporting, I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Newbie 0 #49 June 17, 2004 QuoteQuoteif it wasn't for those "non-english speaking idiots" at the window at the drive thru, being paid $4/hour (if lucky) to have some "lazy non cooking person" shouting and screaming at them to get the order right and learn to speak the language now they are in 'your' country, you would be hard pushed to get your burger, and get it at the measly price you pay for it (someone has to work for pittance to keep prices low, and it's certainly not Wendy's board of directors). I'm not lazy; sometimes it's either eat at fast food or don't eat...and I suspect it's that way for lots of folks.... I don't yell at them. I've not raised my voice at someone who did the job I did back in high school. I won't raise my voice at them, either... QuoteLikewise, if you like the fact you get cheap and plentiful groceries, It's unionized here, so I suspect they make a nice hourly wage.... Quoteget someone to hand wash your car and pump your gas for next to nothing, I don't have someone hand wash my car, and I use self serve gas.... Quotesomeone to clean your drains and guttering, The landscape guy my family uses (on three properties...) has been working with us for years, and does the twice yearly cleaning of gutters for us. We pay him well. As for someone to clean my drains, the last time I used a plumber, he was $75 for a house call, and then $50 per hour after the second hour. He worked very hard, but also was paid very well. Quoteclean your streets in the rain while you sleep warm in your bed at night, collect your trash early in the morning before you get up, Both of those are city employees, and make a more substantial wage than I do, along with retirement/medical benefits.... Quoteclean the bathrooms in the offices you work I have no idea about those guys' wages, so I can't comment.... Quoteand generally look after you and afford you the cost of living you are so accustomed to, I look after myself, and I afford the cost of living I am "so accustomed" to....me. No one else. I clean my own house (like the majority of us do); I cook most of my own food (like most do). I look after myself, thank you very much.... Your entire diatribe has nothing to do with the ability to speak the native language of the country you're working and living in... Ciels- Michele none of my post was directed to you, it was at funks, and of course i'm generalising somewhat to illustrate my point, and these points won't be applicable to everyone. But if you honestly think that massive immigrant exploitation in the US is not directly attributable to the wealth and power the country and some areas of societiy have and do enjoy, then i think that's pretty naive. It happens here too, but to deny it is living with your head in the sand in my opinion. Unfortunately people are too quick to find the negative in the situation (complaining they have to put up with Spanish on a 411 call) then realise how much those people who that message has been directed to help their day to day lives out. "Skydiving is a door" Happythoughts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites pajarito 0 #50 June 17, 2004 Billvon...I haven't read most of this B.S. but I'd like to be clear on something. Are you just not in favor of having an official language in this country at all? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 2 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. 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Remster 30 #42 June 17, 2004 QuoteA judge ordered them to take French lessons Which are offered free of charge to all Canadian citizens and immigrants by the Quebec government. Sounds like a good deal to me.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steel 0 #43 June 17, 2004 but it sure as hell wont help in business unless you do business with that specific nationality... ===================================== Not that I totally disagree with your frustration. On the contrary, I feel a lot of it. However I get the feeling that you are weakening my arguement because you don't know what your talking about. So please tell me what nationality are you talking about? Because in case you don't know nationality refers to a nation. Not some category that some ignorant liberal decided to make by changing the meaning of a word that meant someone who descended from Spain (Hispanic) to people of all four races and more than 20 different NATIONS, simply because they happened to be conquered by Spain at one point and were therefore forced to speak Spanish and learn Catholism. Also in response to Quade, its not about money its about political correctness. while Miami only has 5% of the Latino population in the US, half of the 40 largest Hispanic owned business are there-- including 2 of the three largest. with its.30,000 businesses it has by far the highest rate of per capita. Business ownership in the country Cuban owned firm had $5.5 billion in sales in 1987 Total receipts for Hispanic firms in Miami were $3.8 billion--- $450 million more than in LA and $2.1 billion more than in New York! Now you may ask what does all this mean well that is very simple. Cubans vote about 87% Republican, they resent being referred to as minorities, they hate bilingual education and guess what, they have the most money going into those banks too.If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass. Can't think of anything I need No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound. Nothing to eat, no books to read. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newbie 0 #44 June 17, 2004 QuoteQuote>My thought is that if you live in an english speaking country - live > there, not just visit - then it would behoove you to learn that > language. I agree; people should. But I don't think they should be made to. If they don't want to learn, then they have problems reading signs etc. but that's up to them. Fine, dont force people to learn the language, if that is going to be the case then lock them in their home and do not allow them to socialize or interact with the english speaking public. This will prevent them from getting jobs at fast food windows, screwing up my order and then acting as though I AM the idiot for not understanding what THEY are saying...its hard enough to understand somebody speaking english through those damn speakers, last thing i need when i am hankering for a wendys double is some non-english speaking idiot asking me to repeat my order 5 times.... if it wasn't for those "non-english speaking idiots" at the window at the drive thru, being paid $4/hour (if lucky) to have some "lazy non cooking person" shouting and screaming at them to get the order right and learn to speak the language now they are in 'your' country, you would be hard pushed to get your burger, and get it at the measly price you pay for it (someone has to work for pittance to keep prices low, and it's certainly not Wendy's board of directors). Likewise, if you like the fact you get cheap and plentiful groceries, get someone to hand wash your car and pump your gas for next to nothing, someone to clean your drains and guttering, clean your streets in the rain while you sleep warm in your bed at night, collect your trash early in the morning before you get up, clean the bathrooms in the offices you work and generally look after you and afford you the cost of living you are so accustomed to, i wouldn't worry about the fact you have to hear 5 seconds of recording on a 411 call telling your to push 1 for Spanish (remember, your brain doesn't always have to do what your ears hear - choose to ignore that bit). The saying "don't bite the hand that feeds you" comes to mind.... Edited for tipoz "Skydiving is a door" Happythoughts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #45 June 17, 2004 QuoteThe saying "don't bite the hand that feeds you" comes to mind.... That and the above was a load of rubbish.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #46 June 17, 2004 Quoteif it wasn't for those "non-english speaking idiots" at the window at the drive thru, being paid $4/hour (if lucky) to have some "lazy non cooking person" shouting and screaming at them to get the order right and learn to speak the language now they are in 'your' country, you would be hard pushed to get your burger, and get it at the measly price you pay for it (someone has to work for pittance to keep prices low, and it's certainly not Wendy's board of directors). I'm not lazy; sometimes it's either eat at fast food or don't eat...and I suspect it's that way for lots of folks.... I don't yell at them. I've not raised my voice at someone who did the job I did back in high school. I won't raise my voice at them, either... QuoteLikewise, if you like the fact you get cheap and plentiful groceries, It's unionized here, so I suspect they make a nice hourly wage.... Quoteget someone to hand wash your car and pump your gas for next to nothing, I don't have someone hand wash my car, and I use self serve gas.... Quotesomeone to clean your drains and guttering, The landscape guy my family uses (on three properties...) has been working with us for years, and does the twice yearly cleaning of gutters for us. We pay him well. As for someone to clean my drains, the last time I used a plumber, he was $75 for a house call, and then $50 per hour after the second hour. He worked very hard, but also was paid very well. Quoteclean your streets in the rain while you sleep warm in your bed at night, collect your trash early in the morning before you get up, Both of those are city employees, and make a more substantial wage than I do, along with retirement/medical benefits.... Quoteclean the bathrooms in the offices you work I have no idea about those guys' wages, so I can't comment.... Quoteand generally look after you and afford you the cost of living you are so accustomed to, I look after myself, and I afford the cost of living I am "so accustomed" to....me. No one else. I clean my own house (like the majority of us do); I cook most of my own food (like most do). I look after myself, thank you very much.... Your entire diatribe has nothing to do with the ability to speak the native language of the country you're working and living in... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newbie 0 #47 June 17, 2004 QuoteQuoteThe saying "don't bite the hand that feeds you" comes to mind.... That and the above was a load of rubbish. why? "Skydiving is a door" Happythoughts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,998 #48 June 17, 2004 >Fine, dont force people to learn the language, if that is going to be the >case then lock them in their home and do not allow them to socialize or >interact with the english speaking public. To protect your delicate feelings from hearing a language you don't understand? >This will prevent them from getting jobs at fast food windows, screwing up >my order and then acting as though I AM the idiot for not understanding >what THEY are saying... Here in CA it's a lot easier to understand the guy with the mexican accent than the surfer dude who's too lazy to speak in complete sentences. "Can I help you?" gets pronounced as "Cahea" or something. Which is actually more confusing than "whaddya want?" - but that's not on the sheet of phrases they're supposed to use. >its hard enough to understand somebody speaking english through those >damn speakers, last thing i need when i am hankering for a wendys >double is some non-english speaking idiot asking me to repeat my order >5 times.. Why do you go to places that piss you off? If you only went to places that hired caucasian people who all spoke english without an accent, and everyone followed your lead, the problem would go away overnight. However, I suspect one of the reasons you go to Wendy's is that it is cheap and fast. Hence they hire people who aren't english majors; you support them in doing this. Silly to complain about the very thing you're supporting, I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newbie 0 #49 June 17, 2004 QuoteQuoteif it wasn't for those "non-english speaking idiots" at the window at the drive thru, being paid $4/hour (if lucky) to have some "lazy non cooking person" shouting and screaming at them to get the order right and learn to speak the language now they are in 'your' country, you would be hard pushed to get your burger, and get it at the measly price you pay for it (someone has to work for pittance to keep prices low, and it's certainly not Wendy's board of directors). I'm not lazy; sometimes it's either eat at fast food or don't eat...and I suspect it's that way for lots of folks.... I don't yell at them. I've not raised my voice at someone who did the job I did back in high school. I won't raise my voice at them, either... QuoteLikewise, if you like the fact you get cheap and plentiful groceries, It's unionized here, so I suspect they make a nice hourly wage.... Quoteget someone to hand wash your car and pump your gas for next to nothing, I don't have someone hand wash my car, and I use self serve gas.... Quotesomeone to clean your drains and guttering, The landscape guy my family uses (on three properties...) has been working with us for years, and does the twice yearly cleaning of gutters for us. We pay him well. As for someone to clean my drains, the last time I used a plumber, he was $75 for a house call, and then $50 per hour after the second hour. He worked very hard, but also was paid very well. Quoteclean your streets in the rain while you sleep warm in your bed at night, collect your trash early in the morning before you get up, Both of those are city employees, and make a more substantial wage than I do, along with retirement/medical benefits.... Quoteclean the bathrooms in the offices you work I have no idea about those guys' wages, so I can't comment.... Quoteand generally look after you and afford you the cost of living you are so accustomed to, I look after myself, and I afford the cost of living I am "so accustomed" to....me. No one else. I clean my own house (like the majority of us do); I cook most of my own food (like most do). I look after myself, thank you very much.... Your entire diatribe has nothing to do with the ability to speak the native language of the country you're working and living in... Ciels- Michele none of my post was directed to you, it was at funks, and of course i'm generalising somewhat to illustrate my point, and these points won't be applicable to everyone. But if you honestly think that massive immigrant exploitation in the US is not directly attributable to the wealth and power the country and some areas of societiy have and do enjoy, then i think that's pretty naive. It happens here too, but to deny it is living with your head in the sand in my opinion. Unfortunately people are too quick to find the negative in the situation (complaining they have to put up with Spanish on a 411 call) then realise how much those people who that message has been directed to help their day to day lives out. "Skydiving is a door" Happythoughts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #50 June 17, 2004 Billvon...I haven't read most of this B.S. but I'd like to be clear on something. Are you just not in favor of having an official language in this country at all? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
