Yale Bookstore wants its employees to speak English...

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

If you read the article you will see that the issue is not about employees communicating with customers in spanish.

It is about the school (or store) wanting employees to speak in english no matter what they are doing - if they are near a customer.


So, if they are just walking with a friend talking about last night's baseball game, for some reason, they are now required to do that in english.

Kinda stupid if you ask me. Who cares what language they are speaking to each other in?

I understand that they want the employees to speak english in areas where customers may be present and I don't have a problem with that at all. If employees talk to each other in a language other than english, it may make some paying customers uncomfortable. Especially if the customers aren't fluent in that particular language. It may turn some people off from visiting that establishment or using that companies services.

For example, I felt a little uncomfortable when the guys doing a plumbing job at my house talked to each other strictly in Russian, but were both able to speak english. They could have been talking about the job or anything else and I had absolutely no clue.

I personally feel that in a professional environment, it is not asking too much if an employer wants his or her employees to use the national language.

[blktoptrvl]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I understand that they want the employees to speak english in areas where customers may be present and I don't have a problem with that at all. If employees talk to each other in a language other than english, it may make some paying customers uncomfortable. Especially if the customers aren't fluent in that particular language. It may turn some people off from visiting that establishment or using that companies services.

For example, I felt a little uncomfortable when the guys doing a plumbing job at my house talked to each other strictly in Russian, but were both able to speak english. They could have been talking about the job or anything else and I had absolutely no clue.

I personally feel that in a professional environment, it is not asking too much if an employer wants his or her employees to use the national language.

People have been speaking all languages of the world in this country since this country began. To get in a huff now, because it is a bunch of Mexicans makes no sense at all.

When my Russian friends get together they speak Russian. When I come into the room, if the conversation is not private, they switch to English to include me. If they don't switch, I assume it is a private conversation they do not want to share.

I guess people are paranoid and afraid someone is talking about them - if that's the case, they should get over it, they aren't that important. If they are afraid that someone is plotting some kind of attack, then they need to realize how stupid that is.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

People have been speaking all languages of the world in this country since this country began.

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.

[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.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

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?

Not overnight, but back in the day is seemed like people put more effort into adapting to their new culture. It seems the other way around now.

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

I am just one of the many that feels the business owner has rights too and if he/she want's their employees to speak the national language, French, Spanish, etc. that is their right and they should be able to run their business as they see fit. Funny how many rights even illegal immigrants have in this country. There is a girl in my area who has been living in the U.S. illegally for about 10 years. She is going to a local college and instead of deporting her, we are allowing here to finish school by paying out of state tuiting fee's. You know how she was caught? Driving without a license and giving a false address to the police. If immigrants think that they don't have any rights in this country, they will not be happy anywhere. Everyone has it pretty damn good and I am tired of people bitching about it.

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?

I am not afraid of anything and anyone can cheat you. My point is that it did make me feel uncomfortable. If you are in my home and are able to speak english, DO IT. It is the national language after all. If I were in your home and could speak your language, I would do so. If only to make you feel more comfortable.

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

I shouldn't have to ask.

[blktoptrvl]

First let me say, that I don't get the impression that you are all that old... So, I am not sure what it is that you actually know about the "old days." Not an insult, just an observation.

What kind of measuring stick are you using to guage how fast people are learning English? What metrics do you have from before as compared to now?

I am just one of the many that feels the business owner has rights too and if he/she want's their employees to speak the national language, French, Spanish, etc. that is their right and they should be able to run their business as they see fit. Funny how many rights even illegal immigrants have in this country. What are the rights of Illegal aliens? Please enumerate some of them.


I don't think I said a boss could not require an employee to speak english. If it is a requirement of the job - then so be it. However; if it really doesn't make any difference - if their job does not entail speaking to the public then I don't see why people are up-in-arms. Again, I guess it is another difference of opinion.

Af for a bosses rights, when does that interfere with an employee's rights? Should a boss be able to require that employees all wear their hair in pony tails? Where does this leave the people who cannot, because their hair is not straight or because they are bald?

Does the employee have any rights in the world you want to create? Or is it strictly the boss says -- so hop to it.

There is a girl in my area who has been living in the U.S. illegally for about 10 years. She is going to a local college and instead of deporting her, we are allowing here to finish school by paying out of state tuiting fee's. You know how she was caught? Driving without a license and giving a false address to the police. If immigrants think that they don't have any rights in this country, they will not be happy anywhere. Everyone has it pretty damn good and I am tired of people bitching about it.

I know of this case, and I have no problem with that girl staying in the US. She did not make the choice to come here, her parents brought her here when she was a child, what can she do about it. Now that she is an adult they want to send her back to Mexico where she may or may not have any friends/family/means of suviging/LANGUAGE SKILLS. Seems kinda cruel to me. If she herself had decided to sneak into the country when she was 19, that's one thing. But she was dragged here when she was 11. Again, I have to note a lack of compassion.

I am not afraid of anything and anyone can cheat you. My point is that it did make me feel uncomfortable. If you are in my home and are able to speak english, DO IT. It is the national language after all. If I were in your home and could speak your language, I would do so. If only to make you feel more comfortable.

Again, THERE IS NO NATIONAL LANGUAGE in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. You may want there to be one, but there is not. If you don't like people speaking other languages in your house, again I say; ask them not to, or ask them to leave, you have that choice. But to get pissed because they are speaking some other language seems pointless.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

First let me say, that I don't get the impression that you are all that old... So, I am not sure what it is that you actually know about the "old days." Not an insult, just an observation.

I am 31 and none of my great grandparents were born in this country. My grandparents have first hand experience as to what it was like and they have shared that with me many times over the years.

What kind of measuring stick are you using to guage how fast people are learning English? What metrics do you have from before as compared to now?


I never said how fast immigrants are learing english. I said that it seems like people went out of their way to conform to their new country in the past. Today we have illegal immigrants marching and protesting for rights. You don't think that is a different mentality than immigrants of the early to mid 1900's?

What are the rights of Illegal aliens? Please enumerate some of them.


How about the above example of the college student being allowed to stay, for starters?

I don't think I said a boss could not require an employee to speak english. If it is a requirement of the job - then so be it. However; if it really doesn't make any difference - if their job does not entail speaking to the public then I don't see why people are up-in-arms. Again, I guess it is another difference of opinion.

Af for a bosses rights, when does that interfere with an employee's rights? Should a boss be able to require that employees all wear their hair in pony tails? Where does this leave the people who cannot, because their hair is not straight or because they are bald?

Does the employee have any rights in the world you want to create? Or is it strictly the boss says -- so hop to it.

Bosses require many things from their employees. From what they wear, to how they act, to what they say. Why can't speaking english on the clock be one of those things? Especially, if the employees are capable of doing so?

I know of this case, and I have no problem with that girl staying in the US. She did not make the choice to come here, her parents brought her here when she was a child, what can she do about it. Now that she is an adult they want to send her back to Mexico where she may or may not have any friends/family/means of suviging/LANGUAGE SKILLS. Seems kinda cruel to me. If she herself had decided to sneak into the country when she was 19, that's one thing. But she was dragged here when she was 11. Again, I have to note a lack of compassion.


We are never going to agree on many political/social issues so I really don't know why I waste my time but, you accuse me of having a lack of compassion regarding the above mentioned illegal immigrant student, but where would you draw the line? IMO, people are either legal or illegal. Maybe her parents should have thought about that before they entered the country illegally. She is here illegally and should be deported. She has no social security number (unless she has a fake/stolen number), pays no taxes, drives without a license (and probably insurance), gives false address to the police etc. We obviously have a problem with this in our country. I guess you are fine with letting her get away with all of this. Only in our sissified country can someone in her situation be allowed to stay.

Again, THERE IS NO NATIONAL LANGUAGE in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. You may want there to be one, but there is not. If you don't like people speaking other languages in your house, again I say; ask them not to, or ask them to leave, you have that choice. But to get pissed because they are speaking some other language seems pointless.

When one language is spoken by the vast majority of a country's population, it is the national language, imo. You can split hairs if you wish.