Yale Bookstore wants its employees to speak English...

[blktoptrvl]

Originally Posted by FSETH

Yes and most people back in the day would adapt to their new country by learing and speaking english in public. Some even went as far as saving their native language for home use only. Others wouldn't even speak it in front of their children so that they would learn english faster/better.

Trust me, there are many things that I think people should get over in today's world and I will start with this one; If your boss asks you to speak english while you are on the clock, get over it. If you don't like that, you don't have to work there. I am sure that in this economy, there are plenty of people out there looking for a job that will abide.

Plus, your personal example was of friends. That is completely different than a business/professional setting.

And they all did that overnight? As soon as they got off the boat they magically spoke English... Or they did not EVER speak in public? THERE ARE STILL IMMIGRANTS FROM THE SIXTIES, SEVENTIES, ETC... THAT STILL CANNOT SPEAK ENGLISH.

It's amazing how important freedom is to some of you, that is YOUR freedom and nobody elses.

As far as my example being personal. I am speaking of friends I work with. At the office or after, they speak Russian, Indian, Polish, Ukranian, Chineese and other languages, again so what?

As for your example, what are you afraid of? That they are working on your appliance and speaking this mystery language so they can cheat you? Why couldn't they just go to their truck and decide to cheat you there?

If you want to know what they are saying in your own house - ask them.

[m5james]

You're in America, speak the language. I practically need subtitles on the ordering screen everytime I goto a drive-thru. I'm by no means a racist, but as stated above, I fully expect to be forced to learn another langauge and their "rules" when I go there. For example, I'm planning on going to Abu Dhabi for two months...the first thing I did was get books in regards to dress codes, religious beliefs (even though I'm Athiest), etc, etc. The region I goto shouldn't adapt around me and it'll only benefit me more to learn the language they speak and be fluent in it wherever I go, especially If I plan on living there.

[Quicksilver]

IMO it's just old school good manners

[m5james]

I'm going to agree with FSETH on his opinions. It's called responsability, and since the parents knew what they were doing is illegal, they should be held accountable...cut and dry. People get deported all the time, and definately not enough. It reminds me of welfare mothers turning into walking Zerox machines, just popping out kids to collect a check. She shouldn't be procreating, let alone EXPECTING help from anyone for her screwups. Illegal immigrants bringing their illegal immigrant children into the country is no different. They have no right to expect anything when they technically shouldn't be here in the first place.

And to say that the United States of America doesn't have a nationally spoken language...that is the kind of arrogant and nieve attitude that FSETH is speaking off. We absolutely have a native language here, but people aren't from here think it's just whatever in the hell they want it to be, ie Spanish, Russian, etc and we're supposed to bend around them. Hell no.

When someone gets a job, they goto college to learn the skills to be as good as they can at their jobs. If someone is going to come here, illegally or not, they need to learn the language as good as they can in order to succeed here. I am part owner of a Salsa cafe in downtown Boise with an Italian guy. When we're working amongst each other, it's nothing but English. Once customers arrive, I fully expect to hear Spanish and Italian being spoken...because that's my customer base. When I goto the nearest American company...McDonalds, Outback, etc I fully expect to hear NOTHING but English, from the menu down to the employees speaking amongst each other. Talk whatever in the hell language you want...when you get home and you're not on my payroll. My best friend is Slovakian, yet the ONLY time I hear him speak the language is when he speaks with his parents. God knows there are plenty of Russians in the construction trade, and while Slovoks and Russians may not be buddies, they're language is somehat similar just like Spanish and Italian.

In regards to the OP's first post, this employer should be allowed to limit HIS employees to speak the native language of the United States of America. Just like people at WalMart who complain about the benefits...if you don't like it, quit - you came to me asking for work, remember that. My house, my rules.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by m5james

And to say that the United States of America doesn't have a nationally spoken language...that is the kind of arrogant and nieve attitude that FSETH is speaking off.

Yep, if someone can't even agree that English is the primary/national language of the United States, then there is really no point going any further with them in this thread. You may as well be talking to a wall.

[blktoptrvl]

My Point - which should be obvious - is that there is no Official Legal Language in the US and that there is NO requirement for anyone to speak it.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

My Point - which should be obvious - is that there is no Official Legal Language in the US and that there is NO requirement for anyone to speak it.

Good morning.

My point - which should be obvious - is that English is the primary language in the United States. It is taught in our public schools, it is the language our federal laws are written in, it is what the overwhelming majority of our citizens speak, etc. So, I don't feel that anyone living here should should get their feelings hurt or cry discrimination if, god forbid, your employer asks you to speak it while you are working. End of story.

[blktoptrvl]

Your opinion - that's fine. I believe it is a stupid and dangerous thing to try to enforce - and pointless. End of Story

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

Your opinion - that's fine. I believe it is a stupid and dangerous thing to try to enforce - and pointless. End of Story

Then don't go work for the Yale bookstore or any of the companies that choose to do so and you will be fine.

[J.Belknap]

I mean, they can go ahead and hold themselves back career-wise, if they don't choose to integrate into American society.

No skin off my back.