tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post6482267848754333082..comments2024-03-08T05:08:55.233-05:00Comments on EYE ON MIAMI: This Video is very typical of conversations I have had in Miami. By GeniusofdespairGeniusofdespairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105559930040615945noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-18199917342201318892013-07-27T07:55:05.756-04:002013-07-27T07:55:05.756-04:00Not too long ago I remember tutoring migrant worke...Not too long ago I remember tutoring migrant worker children to speak English. When their parents came to pick them up, they didn't speak English. They smiled, were polite, and I would kind of make signals like their child did good, then their child would do a translation to Spanish (I'm assuming correctly). I used very basic English words when speaking to the parents, words I knew theAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-51934525668463707822013-07-26T10:42:29.484-04:002013-07-26T10:42:29.484-04:00When someone at a store as in example 2 above addr...When someone at a store as in example 2 above addresses me in Spanish I never say " I am sorry, I don't understand Spanish." I always say "I'm sorry, don't you speak English?"<br /><br />I think the burden should be on the person who goes to a place where they speak a different language to learn that language.<br /><br />I do think though that it is important for Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-1752773099190047952013-07-26T07:53:56.658-04:002013-07-26T07:53:56.658-04:00Sometimes it is just the little stuff.Sometimes it is just the little stuff.Geniusofdespairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01105559930040615945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-31350614081202122602013-07-25T18:27:45.826-04:002013-07-25T18:27:45.826-04:00I lived in Puerto Rico as a kid and and learned Sp...I lived in Puerto Rico as a kid and and learned Spanish there. I lived in Germany as an adult and took German while I was there but far from mastered it. I lived in France as an adult and regret not taking classes. I've traveled to over 60 countries and the first thing I do is learn how to say in the local language the basics And..do you speak English? The one thing I have noticed, in Paris, miaexilenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-5679445503506433442013-07-25T18:27:42.872-04:002013-07-25T18:27:42.872-04:00I shop and when they address me in another languag...I shop and when they address me in another language, I politely state "1am sorry, I don't understand Spanish." I recently went into a national shoe store chain in cutler bay to buy hose. The young girl working there had to go get her manager to have her translate from my English into Spanish ... I was polite and patient but how can there not be a standard for hiring? <br /><br />A Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-81183974779511267852013-07-25T16:50:03.185-04:002013-07-25T16:50:03.185-04:00As an immigrant myself I think it's common cou...As an immigrant myself I think it's common courtesy to learn the language. I find it very disrespectful not to even try.<br />I knew very little English when I first arrived (and my first language isn't Spanish) so it might have been easier for me, I had no other option.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-39453863365050577152013-07-25T16:33:25.883-04:002013-07-25T16:33:25.883-04:00I think the one poster is wrong with Florida sayin...I think the one poster is wrong with Florida saying English is the official language. My problem is living in Hialeah (North Havana) and not speaking Spanish. How did they become citizens without speaking english. You can vote in spanish/Creole. Something is wrong with the system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-14115832836190370712013-07-25T16:25:44.149-04:002013-07-25T16:25:44.149-04:00Once a kid was lecturing me that I should be proud...Once a kid was lecturing me that I should be proud of my heritage because he thought I look Latin therefore I should speak Spanish to him, I don't speak Spanish nor am I Hispanic, a lot of people would have felt annoyed or insulted by his naive comments but it didn't bother me because in reality Miami is a very cosmopolitan town and some people get confused and this is a well worth price Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-75447306500620535372013-07-25T14:43:11.120-04:002013-07-25T14:43:11.120-04:00I have lived as an expat in an English-speaking co...I have lived as an expat in an English-speaking country, in a Catalan / Spanish (Castellano) region (where I knew Castellano but not Catalan), and in China, where I tried but mostly failed to learn the language. EVERY CULTURE AND SOCIETY IS DIFFERENT -- do we really want to make Miami, one of the true melting pots in this nation of (alleged) melting pots, a place where non-English speakers are Thomas Hastingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-2150376864094696472013-07-25T13:04:14.567-04:002013-07-25T13:04:14.567-04:00I am writing from the north of Spain. I am actuall...I am writing from the north of Spain. I am actually embarrassed by my fellow tourists who expect everyone to speak English. Most Spaniards do, but not so much in the little tapas bars and cafes. It is amazing how many expect American coffee to be served! The worst offense is when people express surprise to see that everyone in the northern provinces of Spain is fair skinned, blond and blue eyed. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-29833071567335801272013-07-25T12:54:04.840-04:002013-07-25T12:54:04.840-04:00HISPANICS ARE IN THE MINORITY IN THE REST OF FLORI...HISPANICS ARE IN THE MINORITY IN THE REST OF FLORIDA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PLEASE GET OFF YOU JACKASS AND ADAPT....<br />Black or African American alone, 2012 <br />16.6% FLA 13.1% USA<br /><br />Hispanic or Latino, 2012 <br />23.2% FLA 16.9% USA<br /><br />White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, 2012 <br />57.0% FLA 63.0% USAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-85538532756090561592013-07-25T12:47:24.157-04:002013-07-25T12:47:24.157-04:00LEARN IT, LOVE IT, LIVE IT to those that are capab...LEARN IT, LOVE IT, LIVE IT to those that are capable....<br />CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS REVISED IN 1968 AND SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED ARTICLE II GENERAL PROVISIONS<br />SECTION 9. English is the official language of Florida.—<br />(a) English is the official language of the State of Florida.<br />(b) The legislature shall have the power to enforce this section by appropriate legislation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-10481196197903404592013-07-25T10:58:29.957-04:002013-07-25T10:58:29.957-04:00Tom until you have spoken to a Chinese telemarkete...Tom until you have spoken to a Chinese telemarketer you will never get it. This whole concept to speak Spanish first is a pet peeve of mine '. You might not care but I do . To each his own.Tom Not As Hastynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-74433637450538526362013-07-25T10:41:24.311-04:002013-07-25T10:41:24.311-04:00Just watched the video... douche baggery is a grea...Just watched the video... douche baggery is a great title for this video -- what an absolute douche this jerk is. "Oh my gosh, can you believe it: people call in SPANISH and try to sell you something!! Can you believe it?? Don't they know in AMURICA we speak AMURICAN??!!!"Thomas Hastingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-89701892682301763402013-07-25T10:35:11.154-04:002013-07-25T10:35:11.154-04:00I love your blog but this entire thread is unneces...I love your blog but this entire thread is unnecessary and counter-productive. If you truly love and understand Miami that you cannot be surprised that this situation occurs. People are rude in every culture and if you really think gringos are less rude in other countries than you really must get away more often or look more closely when you are away. I challenge ANYONE that actually speaks more Thomas Hastingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-91257350369998266972013-07-25T10:33:57.250-04:002013-07-25T10:33:57.250-04:00I have lived in Miami so long this doesn't eve...I have lived in Miami so long this doesn't even bother me any more, it's become a part of my environment. Sometimes I feel left out though when I am in an elevator at work, and I am hearing everyone around me speaking in Spanish, and the other day I was at my local publix deli ordering a dinner and the woman taking my order spoke NO English. Oh well. I like the Latins and the excitement Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-78423561282346265522013-07-25T09:30:12.585-04:002013-07-25T09:30:12.585-04:00Good comment. Thanks...Good comment. Thanks...Geniusofdespairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01105559930040615945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-70564617337323084722013-07-25T09:27:23.252-04:002013-07-25T09:27:23.252-04:00I made the first comment. I am also a teacher. All...I made the first comment. I am also a teacher. All teachers have to take TESOL courses. We learn how difficult it is to come to a country and not speak the language. We are taught to respect these people and help the children as they pass through our classrooms. I urged my children to learn Spanish. I even get mad when street signs come in only one language and I sit behind someone in traffic Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-6468456709969852242013-07-25T09:01:05.961-04:002013-07-25T09:01:05.961-04:00Luckily I have a simple cure for such situations, ...Luckily I have a simple cure for such situations, I answer in my old world dialect. You'd be surprised how fast this abuelas and recent arrivals scratch together some gringo language if it's important to them. Works like a charm. haven't encountered one yet that answered me in my dialect :-) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-50028419019731282822013-07-25T08:48:19.771-04:002013-07-25T08:48:19.771-04:00It is not sitting on a "high horse" to e...It is not sitting on a "high horse" to expect people to be polite. Also, the woman on the phone in the video was not respectful of the man's time.Marianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-18238318300369431112013-07-25T08:43:29.870-04:002013-07-25T08:43:29.870-04:00That. anonymous obviously was never taught manners...That. anonymous obviously was never taught manners. He had better never leave Miami. No one would tolerate his behavior elsewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-52980665169928458582013-07-25T08:40:31.733-04:002013-07-25T08:40:31.733-04:00Hey. I don't want to start a war here. Does an...Hey. I don't want to start a war here. Does anyone agree or disagree that it is polite to ASK if someone speaks a foreign language BEFORE conversing in that language? Be civil.Geniusofdespairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01105559930040615945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-29065225357764431082013-07-25T08:37:02.797-04:002013-07-25T08:37:02.797-04:00Last anonymous: Fuck you. This is America not Cuba...Last anonymous: Fuck you. This is America not Cuba. Go back to Cuba if you want to be spoken to in Spanish.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-827611274289683882013-07-25T08:34:41.889-04:002013-07-25T08:34:41.889-04:00I did adapt when in Puerto Rico. Putz. I ask the s...I did adapt when in Puerto Rico. Putz. I ask the same courtesy here that I gave residents there. Geniusofdespairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01105559930040615945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37248244.post-22167616209103310302013-07-25T08:31:39.087-04:002013-07-25T08:31:39.087-04:0064% of Miami Dade county is Hispanic. You are in t...64% of Miami Dade county is Hispanic. You are in the minority. Get off your high horse and adapt. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com