For Spanish Press 1, For English please stay on the line

[stuffit 0]

It is funny people say all of this bullshit. You wont think it is so bad when you go to another and you cant read a fucking word on their ATM's. Then youll be damn glad that there is english on there.

[Casurf1978 0]

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>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....

Some people do learn English and still have an accent. Try learning a second or third language as an adult and speak it w/o an accent. It aint easy.

[funks 1]

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It is funny people say all of this bullshit. You wont think it is so bad when you go to another and you cant read a fucking word on their ATM's. Then youll be damn glad that there is english on there.

Like I have said before, I would never expect any foreign country to cater to me and my language. Secondly, I dont know of to many people who travel abroad and rely on ATM machines, that is crazy. That is what travelers cheques are for. If you find yourself in a foreign country with no cash and in need of an ATM then you have bigger problems then a language barrier.

[wmw999 2,452]

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If you find yourself in a foreign country with no cash and in need of an ATM then you have bigger problems then a language barrier.

Actually, I used ATMs a bunch when I was in Brazil recently. Better exchange rate than travellers' checks, and my manager had the same experience in Greece. I used travellers' checks in England a month before Brazil, and they were much harder to deal with -- far fewer places to exchange them, and there was commonly a fee. Also, there's no guarantee that the people at the cash exchange place will speak a language you understand.

Frankly, it doesn't bother me in the least that others in this country don't speak English as well as I do. They have less access to many common services, fewer choices, and English is always the first choice in the automated telephone responses.

I do think English is extremely important in the US, but there are other things that are also important.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[billvon 2,998]

>Are you just not in favor of having an official language in this country at all?

English is the official language. Signs are in english first, any other language second. This being america, people can say whatever they want, and can do so in whatever language they so choose. If a town votes to have bilingual signs, great. They get to make that decision. If you don't like that, move to a town that does not do it.

[stuffit 0]

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Actually, I used ATMs a bunch when I was in Brazil recently. Better exchange rate than travellers' checks, and my manager had the same experience in Greece. I used travellers' checks in England a month before Brazil, and they were much harder to deal with -- far fewer places to exchange them, and there was commonly a fee. Also, there's no guarantee that the people at the cash exchange place will speak a language you understand.

Exactly. I never use travelers checks and carrying all of the cash that you need for a two month or longer trip is just stupid. If other countries put up with me not really speaking their language, I think i can put up with pushing an extra button on the ATM when I am at home.

[PhillyKev 0]

I love how all the conservatives on here are pushing for the governemt mandating what language people speak while usually arguing that the marketplace should determine things.

If you don't like Wendy's because the people there speak spanish, don't go there.

Why exactly should we force everyone to learn English? Because most people in this country speak it? If that's why, what do we do in 15 years when the majority of poeple will speak spanish?

EDIT TO ADD:

I think we should have an official language, we don't now. Actually I think it should be two, English and Spanish, and both should be mandatory in school.

[wmw999 2,452]

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If you don't like Wendy's because the people there speak spanish, don't go there

I'll have you know I also speak excellent English. Anyway, I don't have enough room for all you guys
Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[billvon 2,998]

>Actually I think it should be two, English and Spanish, and both should be
> mandatory in school.

Unless you're in Minnesota or something, where Canadian (otherwise known as French) might be the better choice. Of course I can imagine more than one person here on this board stroking out if they heard anything about french being an official language.

[funks 1]

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IWhy exactly should we force everyone to learn English? Because most people in this country speak it? If that's why, what do we do in 15 years when the majority of poeple will speak spanish?

We should force everyone because that is what the rules of becoming a US citizen mandate. If we enforced that we would not have to worry about the majority speaking spanish in 15 years. Because we do not enforce it your 15 year statement could very well become a reality.

[DrunkMonkey 0]

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Of course I can imagine more than one person here on this board stroking out if they heard anything about french being an official language.

Al Bundy's 10 Commandments

1. It's OK to call hooters "knockers" and sometimes "snack trays".
2. It is wrong to be French.
3. It is OK to put all bad people in a giant meat grinder.
4. Lawyers, see rule 3.
5. It is OK to drive a gas guzzler if it helps you get babes.
6. Everyone should car pool except me.
7. Bring back the word "stewardesses".
8. Synchronized swimming is not a sport.
9. Mud wrestling is a sport.
10. OK, there are only nine...

[PhillyKev 0]

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We should force everyone because that is what the rules of becoming a US citizen mandate.

To become a naturalized citizen, what if you were born here? And does it specify to what level of English?

Wait...found the answer

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an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language: Provided, That the requirements of this paragraph relating to ability to read and write shall be met if the applicant can read or write simple words and phrases to the end that a reasonable test of his literacy shall be made and that no extraordinary or unreasonable conditions shall be imposed upon the applicant;

[Remster 30]

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Secondly, I dont know of to many people who travel abroad and rely on ATM machines, that is crazy.

Thats funny stuff right there!

Remster

[rickjump1 0]

Actually I think it should be two, English and Spanish, and both should be mandatory in school...

All across the nation there are enclaves of language alienation. Some have ethnic lobbies that say they have a constitutional right to converse in the language of their choice. They say that they should learn English only if they "feel" like it. Did they come here to be Americans or do they only want the security and wealth. I think we were supposed to be united after 9/11. This language attitude is causing division.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[diablopilot 2]

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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.

Agreed. It's a whole different topic but the way people will pay for bad service, bitch about it, and then go pay for the same bad service again amazes me.

----------------------------------------------
You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[Zenister 0]

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It is funny people say all of this bullshit. You wont think it is so bad when you go to another and you cant read a fucking word on their ATM's. Then youll be damn glad that there is english on there.

if your not capable of figuring out one of the most universal GUI's on the planet (in nearly any language) perhaps you shouldnt be travelling in the first place? it would seem there is alot you should have learned at home first

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[Casurf1978 0]

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It is funny people say all of this bullshit. You wont think it is so bad when you go to another and you cant read a fucking word on their ATM's. Then youll be damn glad that there is english on there.

if your not capable of figuring out one of the most universal GUI's on the planet (in nearly any language) perhaps you shouldnt be travelling in the first place? it would seem there is alot you should have learned at home first

Ever tried using a Japanese ATM? Trust me ATMs worldwide are not universal. Hell when I was in Hungary each bank had a different setup and thank God that they had English on there. Even here they differ.

[stuffit 0]

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It is funny people say all of this bullshit. You wont think it is so bad when you go to another and you cant read a fucking word on their ATM's. Then youll be damn glad that there is english on there.

if your not capable of figuring out one of the most universal GUI's on the planet (in nearly any language) perhaps you shouldnt be travelling in the first place? it would seem there is alot you should have learned at home first

First I would like to know which countries you have been to. Second,like casurf said, not all of the little symbols on the ATM are universal. I know a few that I would be willing to bet would confuse you if there was no english on there but you seem like the know-it-all type so maybe not.

[Zenister 0]

oooooo i love this question
US
Canada
UK
Germany
Turkey
Spain
Iraq
Qatar
Kuwait
California

if were counting last year, then i can add

Korea
Japan
Thailand
Philippines
Mexico
Norway
Denmark
Holland


as well as all but Iraq, Qatar and Canada on the list from this year, I do get around.. the sad thing is i lost for most countries currency collected last year by a feild engineer in my group.

I'd also have to add Brazil, Bahamas, Costa Rico, Greece, France, Switzerland, Italy, Kosovo, Bosnia from travels with the military in various capacities

I have passport stamps to prove most all but Iraq and some of my travel as a military dependant and then later service member. There was a time US military ID was as good as a passport in most of Europe.
wanna play" how many states have you been in this year" too?
next question.

No the symbols are not universal, the lay out and functionality is very nearly so, it takes little more than basic problem solving skills to figure out. Every ATM i've ever seen shares common design and function features that should be obvious to all but the most technically deficient. you know, all those people who's vcrs flashed 12:00 for 5 years..

Of course you have to know what the currency symbol is for the country your in, and basic numerals are helpful, but not required.....hmm seems they sell guide books in most places with this information. But it does take some small effort, which may be too much if your the lazy, give me everything, my way, now type...

Do you have trouble figuring out cell phones in other countries too? They are more language intense than ATMs.

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[Michele 1]

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you know, all those people who's vcrs flashed 12:00 for 5 years..

HEY! Stop with the personal attacks!

Greenie! GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE!

He's making fun of me...and he's personally attacking me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make him STOP!

(and it's been something like 7 years, but who's counting...)

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[stuffit 0]

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I'd also have to add Brazil, Bahamas, Costa Rico, Greece, France, Switzerland, Italy, Kosovo, Bosnia from travels with the military in various capacities

Yeah, Costa Rico is great

Sounds like you have traveled alot. My basic point was that if none of these countries had english on their ATM's, some people would have trouble. Never said I was one of those people.

And no, never had trouble with a foreign cell phone.

[Zenister 0]

so if on average, a motivated traveler can generally figure it out, why do we (as a culture) insist on ‘dumbing’ everything down to the lowest common denominator..

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[Trent 0]

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so if on average, a motivated traveler can generally figure it out, why do we (as a culture) insist on ‘dumbing’ everything down to the lowest common denominator..

Because it would be WRONG if the dumbest people actually felt or were told they were dumb. It's much better to dumb down the rest of the country to make the idiots feel better about themselves.

Oh, hello again!

[Casurf1978 0]

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oooooo i love this question California

We're a country? I just thought all the screw balls came here

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Every ATM i've ever seen shares common design and function features that should be obvious to all but the most technically deficient. you know, all those people who's vcrs flashed 12:00 for 5 years..

You're talking sober, add a few shots and beers whole different case.