English-Only Policies in the Workplace

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by queequek
Anyway, back to the topic.

Yes, I agree that there should be an common ground from both sides. I totally understand where two sides are coming from, how most people feel uncomfortable surrounded by people speaking different language they don't understand, and also how hard for the non speaker to speak their non-native language.

If I was the manager, I probably would sit down with each individual and talk to them, explaining how their native language might be 'offensive' for other people and make them uncomfortable, so might as well not use them. Instead of prohibit them using the language EVER, make them understand where this "unwritten rule" is comming from.

If I was the non-native speaker, of course I understand completely. As a non-native speaker myself, I always have the urge to speak my mother tongue language, but in other hand, we're in America, where people speak English, if you will.

Hey Canadians, just wondering, unless if you live in Quebec, how often do you use French? Or you don't even bother to learn it in highschool?

Just my .02 cents

Canuck here. French isn't commonly spoken unless you're in Quebec, Ottawa (it's our capital, and is bilingual) or New Brunswick (bilingual province). French, at least in Ontario, is a required subject in for a year or two in high school, and is also taught in most elementary and middle schools. There are also "French Immersion" programs in English speaking provinces where most, if not all classes are taught in French. However, it isn't a language that most Canadians would be fluent in (unless you live in Ottawa, Quebec or New Brunswick)!

[kddani]

I should just cut and paste my appellate brief from last year into this thread, it was on this very topic. I was assigned to argue against the English-only rule. The fact pattern for the brief involved a Spanish speaking immigrant who worked in a job that included translation for a hospital. When she wasn't speaking to a patient, she was required to speak in English.

I don't even know where to begin....

One thing that you all might want to consider is that there's some evidence that when you speak two languages (such as in the situation in my paper) , sometimes you involuntarily switch between the two- known as "code switching". This is especially true for those who aren't incredibly fluent.

I can certainly see both sides of the argument. As a customer, I HATE going to get my nails done, and the manicurist speaks English perfectly fine, but then talks to the other stuff the whole time in whatever language. I find that rude. Actually, I would find that rude in any occasion, regardless of whether or not it was a business. If you're perfectly capable of speaking English, and are in the company of someone who doesn't speak your other language, then it's rude to speak that language in front of them because they can't understand what you're saying.

[ZTAngel]

Originally posted by kddani

I can certainly see both sides of the argument. As a customer, I HATE going to get my nails done, and the manicurist speaks English perfectly fine, but then talks to the other stuff the whole time in whatever language. I find that rude. Actually, I would find that rude in any occasion, regardless of whether or not it was a business. If you're perfectly capable of speaking English, and are in the company of someone who doesn't speak your other language, then it's rude to speak that language in front of them because they can't understand what you're saying.

Yup. I get my nails done in a salon where it's mostly Vietnamese women working. They are all fluent in English but they speak Vietnamese to each other. My nail tech will be filing my nails and talking to another tech in Vietnamese at the same time. For all I know, they could be saying that my nails suck and I'd never know.
That reminds me of a Seinfeld episode. Elaine was getting her nails done at a Korean nail salon (I think...or it was Vietnamese...I'm not sure). The techs were speaking Korean to each other. Elaine suspected they were talking about her so she brought in George's dad to the salon since he spoke Korean. It turned out that the techs were talking about her! Anyone see that episode?

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by ZTAngel

That reminds me of a Seinfeld episode. Elaine was getting her nails done at a Korean nail salon (I think...or it was Vietnamese...I'm not sure). The techs were speaking Korean to each other. Elaine suspected they were talking about her so she brought in George's dad to the salon since he spoke Korean. It turned out that the techs were talking about her! Anyone see that episode?

I remember that episode! I think it fueled my earlier response. Breaks are fine, but any non-essential discussion shouldn't be on the sales floor anyway.

And mocking the employees? That's just immature.

[33girl]

Originally posted by queequek
So you're trying to say, if you want to travel to a foreign country, for example, to Italy, instead of learning how to speak Italian, you would expect them to speak English to you, otherwise you won't bother to even visit the country?
I am confused

No, actually he said the exact opposite. That if he went to Italy and no one spoke anything but Italian, he wouldn't be offended, nor would he expect them to speak English. Because it's Italy.

Which is part of the reason the only foreign countries I really have a desire to visit are the UK & Australia.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by kddani
As a customer, I HATE going to get my nails done, and the manicurist speaks English perfectly fine, but then talks to the other stuff the whole time in whatever language. I find that rude. Actually, I would find that rude in any occasion, regardless of whether or not it was a business. If you're perfectly capable of speaking English, and are in the company of someone who doesn't speak your other language, then it's rude to speak that language in front of them because they can't understand what you're saying.

I totally feel you on this! Thankfully, the salon I go to now, this isn't a problem (Its still a Vietnamese salon, but they are courteous enough to know that doing that is bad manners).

[queequek]

Just to add, couple years ago, our Jasper County (Iowa) established the English as official language rule, since more than 97% population are white and English speaking people. I see where they are coming from, but of course some people supported and some opposed.

[queequek]

Originally posted by kddani

I can certainly see both sides of the argument. As a customer, I HATE going to get my nails done, and the manicurist speaks English perfectly fine, but then talks to the other stuff the whole time in whatever language. I find that rude. Actually, I would find that rude in any occasion, regardless of whether or not it was a business. If you're perfectly capable of speaking English, and are in the company of someone who doesn't speak your other language, then it's rude to speak that language in front of them because they can't understand what you're saying.

No wonder people hated us abroad, since Americans just loud and obnoxious (sp?) English speakers everywhere (I know this is a HUGE generalization). Even I couldn't help myself to talk in English with my American friends, even though we were in public places.

When I was in Rome, I witnessed two young ladies, judging by their accent, North Americans, were asking a supermarket clerk whether they have ranch dressing (in English, of course). The clerk spoke English fine, but he looked confused. So, one of the lady was totally yelling, "DO-YOU-HAVE-RANCH-DRESSING?" with lots of gesture everywhere. Then she looked to her friend, roll her eyes and they took off.
C'mon lady, we are in ROME, people do not have ranch dressing, which is an American thing. They have something healthier than ranch dressing

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by queequek
No wonder people hated us abroad, since Americans just loud and obnoxious (sp?) English speakers everywhere (I know this is a HUGE generalization). Even I couldn't help myself to talk in English with my American friends, even though we were in public places.

When I was in Rome, I witnessed two young ladies, judging by their accent, North Americans, were asking a supermarket clerk whether they have ranch dressing (in English, of course). The clerk spoke English fine, but he looked confused. So, one of the lady was totally yelling, "DO-YOU-HAVE-RANCH-DRESSING?" with lots of gesture everywhere. Then she looked to her friend, roll her eyes and they took off.
C'mon lady, we are in ROME, people do not have ranch dressing, which is an American thing. They have something healthier than ranch dressing

Dude, did you ever play "Spot the American"? Gawsh, we can be loud folks... The Metro ticket machines in Paris were always populated by Americans who hadn't mastered touch-screen ticketing. One had the nerve to compliment me on my English...I'm like, I just know how to be quiet.

[starang21]

Originally posted by queequek
No wonder people hated us abroad, since Americans just loud and obnoxious (sp?) English speakers everywhere (I know this is a HUGE generalization). Even I couldn't help myself to talk in English with my American friends, even though we were in public places.

When I was in Rome, I witnessed two young ladies, judging by their accent, North Americans, were asking a supermarket clerk whether they have ranch dressing (in English, of course). The clerk spoke English fine, but he looked confused. So, one of the lady was totally yelling, "DO-YOU-HAVE-RANCH-DRESSING?" with lots of gesture everywhere. Then she looked to her friend, roll her eyes and they took off.
C'mon lady, we are in ROME, people do not have ranch dressing, which is an American thing. They have something healthier than ranch dressing

co sign, we americans have no room to talk about anyone. the way americans act outside of the borders is ridiculous and we expect people to change for us? yea right, and people want to wonder why other cultures can't stand us.

[xo_kathy]

I really could care less if my nail techs are talking to one another in Korean! Maybe it's because I could care less if they are talking about me?

I think the "only English" rule is dumb. If you are waiting on me and doing your job, I'm happy. If you are standing around chatting with your friends, in ANY language, that is when I get mad! Maybe it's because I'm in NYC so I'm used to hearing other languages? I don't know, but I just don't think it's hurting anyone if you are talking to your friend in another language, as long as you are doing your job well. I especially don't agree with English only on breaks! That's ridiculous! What if you had to call your mom and she only spoke French?

Also, I used to work at a French bank here in NYC. Many of the expats spoke French all the time (when not in meetings or working w/the Americans. It was never a problem. And I was never offended or bothered.

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by xo_kathy
If you are standing around chatting with your friends, in ANY language, that is when I get mad!

I think THIS is the problem at hand, not their speaking with customers.