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speaking english
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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I am not sure if alone in my way of thinking and have no real issues with folk speaking any language but today something riled me and is not the first time it happened.
Today i was showing round some folk round a house o am selling or going to rent they can speak perfect english by the way.
As they looked around and with me stood by them started speaking foreign language.
I asked them to speak english as ot was rude and ignorant as it was about the property. I know a few phrases so picked up bits.
The person said the others did not speak english o told them i know thwy did as spoke to them on the phone.
They then started again so i told them i wont sell or rent to them as they just being ignorant and bloody rude.
I have a few other folk wanting the place so i have not cut off my nose to spite my face but it really wound me up. |
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"I am not sure if alone in my way of thinking and have no real issues with folk speaking any language but today something riled me and is not the first time it happened.
Today i was showing round some folk round a house o am selling or going to rent they can speak perfect english by the way.
As they looked around and with me stood by them started speaking foreign language.
I asked them to speak english as ot was rude and ignorant as it was about the property. I know a few phrases so picked up bits.
The person said the others did not speak english o told them i know thwy did as spoke to them on the phone.
They then started again so i told them i wont sell or rent to them as they just being ignorant and bloody rude.
I have a few other folk wanting the place so i have not cut off my nose to spite my face but it really wound me up."
I done exactly the same thing 
What also annoys me is when Mum/Dad picks the kiddies up from school. The kids are speaking English all day at school, but as soon as Mum/dad picks them up Mum/Dad speaks in own language. Now in my experience most of these parents do have a little English or a lot more than they like to let on. So until they are away from the rest of the pupils/teachers/parents etc, I think they should stick to English. Talk your own language in the privacy of your own home |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I think,unless someone is speaking to me directly,they can speak in whatever language they choose.who are we to tell others what language to talk in when conversing amongst themselves. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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was speaking to a woman that owns an offy local to me, and she says she feels threatened when people stand in the shop speaking a foreign language, as she has no idea what they are talking about.
for all she knows they could be planning to rob her.
it is poor form, but then again, the English arent renowned for learning languages of countries they go to either |
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"was speaking to a woman that owns an offy local to me, and she says she feels threatened when people stand in the shop speaking a foreign language, as she has no idea what they are talking about.
for all she knows they could be planning to rob her.
it is poor form, but then again, the English arent renowned for learning languages of countries they go to either"
Yes I agree, but most of those English are just on holiday and EXPECT everyone to speak English. I myself make sure I know how to say please and thank you in the language of whatever Country I am visiting. You'd be surprised how far those 2 words can get you |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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They obviously didn't want you to hear what they were saying, which is fair enough, we all have whispered or used non verbal language to communicate something that we didn't want others to hear. |
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"They obviously didn't want you to hear what they were saying, which is fair enough, we all have whispered or used non verbal language to communicate something that we didn't want others to hear. "
Perhaps they were saying 'I'm sure I've seen that bloke on Fabswingers!'  |
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It can be quite funny when people assume others won't understand them, and drop into another language to try and discuss a stranger, only to have that stranger speak to them in their own language.
I (MrJ) love picking up languages, although I'm pretty crap  But it's amazing how just asking people how to say things in their language can pay dividends.
Personally I think we're a bit hard on ourselves for learning languages. We are insular because we live on an island. Most Europeans who live near a border will be functionally bi-lingual. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I would wait patiently for them to finish and hope that it saved time on them deciding if they liked or wanted the place. If they were talking about me,so what. Never been one for worrying about what others think of me |
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Know how you feel.
Sometimes I overhear members of staff in Tesco talking to customers and they're both speaking Polish.
Mind you, up here I've e.g asked directions of a passer by and been replied to in Gaelic.
Now that is just plain ignorant and confrontational especially when you've heard them speaking English.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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When i was a kid, we went to north wales for a holiday and mom and me popped into a shop to pick up some tomato sauce ..
It was evident they didnt like non welsh so proceeded to speak in welsh and kept looking at me mother ,indicating they couldnt understand her....
She banged the sauce on the counter and told them to shove it where the sun dont shine and added "i bet you understand that"   
grabbed me and walked out |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"When i was a kid, we went to north wales for a holiday and mom and me popped into a shop to pick up some tomato sauce ..
It was evident they didnt like non welsh so proceeded to speak in welsh and kept looking at me mother ,indicating they couldnt understand her....
She banged the sauce on the counter and told them to shove it where the sun dont shine and added "i bet you understand that"
grabbed me and walked out "
Ieuchydd dda
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If you live in England then English should be your language. In the same way that if I went to live in Spain I would learn Spanish. If your visiting then you just need to learn a few words to get by. But if you live somewhere then to not speak the language is disrespectful. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"When i was a kid, we went to north wales for a holiday and mom and me popped into a shop to pick up some tomato sauce ..
It was evident they didnt like non welsh so proceeded to speak in welsh and kept looking at me mother ,indicating they couldnt understand her....
She banged the sauce on the counter and told them to shove it where the sun dont shine and added "i bet you understand that"
grabbed me and walked out
Ieuchydd dda
"
nid oedd gennym unrhyw saws er  |
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By *B9 QueenWoman
over a year ago
Over the rainbow, under the bridge |
"I think,unless someone is speaking to me directly,they can speak in whatever language they choose.who are we to tell others what language to talk in when conversing amongst themselves."
My ex in laws spoke in Kurdish. When I visited them in Germany it made conversations interesting. Their only other languages were Arabic or German. I had a smattering of German and the odd Kurdish phrase but we managed. Now they are here and have all learned English which makes it easier. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I speak adequate French and when we're in French speaking countries I switch to English when I talk to my family its automatic whatever the situation.
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it would seem these people were buying renting a home and live in this country surly what ever country you live in you should speak the local language . Rude not too |
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By *B9 QueenWoman
over a year ago
Over the rainbow, under the bridge |
"It can be quite funny when people assume others won't understand them, and drop into another language to try and discuss a stranger, only to have that stranger speak to them in their own language.
I (MrJ) love picking up languages, although I'm pretty crap But it's amazing how just asking people how to say things in their language can pay dividends.
Personally I think we're a bit hard on ourselves for learning languages. We are insular because we live on an island. Most Europeans who live near a border will be functionally bi-lingual. "
I had an interesting conversation on a train in Germany with a guy who took me to task about my poor German. I had learned both French and Spanish at school. I asked him what language he had learned. He said English of course. Then I pointed out that this was the case across Europe - most countries teach English as a second language. So what are the English supposed to learn? All the European languages? I was travelling across about 8 countries at the time. Not possible to learn so many. My ex spoke 5 languages but didn't have much English when he got here. How many English people speak that many languages? |
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I remember being in a business meeting with two buyers from a large German manufacturer. I speak pigeon German ( having decided to go to night classes as I was going on holiday there that year ), when we were discussing prices and terms. The lady and gentleman in question spoke to each other in German, within earshot of me saying they were going to to get a 20% reduction. It was quite a good humoured meeting until, when it came to prices, I said that was what we expected and that there wasn't any negotiation such as say a 20% discount. Their faces were a picture. They didn't get the discount, I explained to them after we concluded our work, that I had heard. Their surprise was that I understood, as it was a common opinion that we English had very little knowledge of other languages except our mother tongue. Whenever we are abroad, we always try to learn a few phrases and usually it is appreciated, that you try as we think there is a perception that we English do not travel well. Pardon the pun, but when in Rome, the same should apply here. |
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We don't have problems like those in Ireland at all. We might have had, but some hoors from some other country arrived here a long time ago and banned the use of our native language. It's a mad world! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Id have done the same thing in all honesty.There is a certain part of the British Isles (this is me being diplomatic) where as soon as the locals sense an English speaker in their presence,they revert to their chosen language.At least you have other tenants/buyers lined up so its their loss not yours! |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
I imagine there is a similar thread on a Spanish site somewhere about all the British ex-pats living in Spain and refusing to speak Spanish, eat anything local or mix with the local community.
OP, you run your business as you like but I know when _iewing large purchase decisions (like renting somewhere) I like to speak to my companion about it without being overheard. As I only speak English this is usually whispered or in signs previously agreed.
As I am not white I sometimes get the expectation that I will speak in another language or get the shouting slowly to try to get me to understand.
I hope when you are out and about in another country you make the effort to live by the expectations you have for others.
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"I imagine there is a similar thread on a Spanish site somewhere about all the British ex-pats living in Spain and refusing to speak Spanish, eat anything local or mix with the local community.
OP, you run your business as you like but I know when _iewing large purchase decisions (like renting somewhere) I like to speak to my companion about it without being overheard. As I only speak English this is usually whispered or in signs previously agreed.
As I am not white I sometimes get the expectation that I will speak in another language or get the shouting slowly to try to get me to understand.
I hope when you are out and about in another country you make the effort to live by the expectations you have for others.
"
You my friend always have the words that the other 5 languages I speak put together just cannot form an intelligent and undertansdable answer. 
I am so so ashamed of myself |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I imagine there is a similar thread on a Spanish site somewhere about all the British ex-pats living in Spain and refusing to speak Spanish, eat anything local or mix with the local community.
OP, you run your business as you like but I know when _iewing large purchase decisions (like renting somewhere) I like to speak to my companion about it without being overheard. As I only speak English this is usually whispered or in signs previously agreed.
As I am not white I sometimes get the expectation that I will speak in another language or get the shouting slowly to try to get me to understand.
I hope when you are out and about in another country you make the effort to live by the expectations you have for others.
"
The whole point being i am in england and no intention of living abroad and i expect common courtesy from everyone why you say you are not white totally misses the point as skin colour has not been brought into except you.
If as you say you like to talk to your companion thats understandable but all that in your case is needed is manners to say to the other party do you mind if i discuss with companion privately its not hard to do.
You seem to condone the fact what the group who clearly speak english being ignorant to point of being rude.
Do not intend getting into slanging match as nowt you say is of much relevance to the topic thus far. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"I imagine there is a similar thread on a Spanish site somewhere about all the British ex-pats living in Spain and refusing to speak Spanish, eat anything local or mix with the local community.
OP, you run your business as you like but I know when _iewing large purchase decisions (like renting somewhere) I like to speak to my companion about it without being overheard. As I only speak English this is usually whispered or in signs previously agreed.
As I am not white I sometimes get the expectation that I will speak in another language or get the shouting slowly to try to get me to understand.
I hope when you are out and about in another country you make the effort to live by the expectations you have for others.
The whole point being i am in england and no intention of living abroad and i expect common courtesy from everyone why you say you are not white totally misses the point as skin colour has not been brought into except you.
If as you say you like to talk to your companion thats understandable but all that in your case is needed is manners to say to the other party do you mind if i discuss with companion privately its not hard to do.
You seem to condone the fact what the group who clearly speak english being ignorant to point of being rude.
Do not intend getting into slanging match as nowt you say is of much relevance to the topic thus far."
No slanging match. My colour was only brought in to illustrate that assumptions are made all the time.
I see the relevance of my post, which is written entirely in English. You found it rude, you have made that clear. I hope the couple were able to understand your English and not just your annoyance that you thought they were rude and therefore did not want to do business with them.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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They may be still learning. Know a few words but not fluent.
When I've moved to Holland I knew just hello & goodbye, so when I rented my flat I was grateful the landlord spoke English with me. I learnt more Dutch over time but at first I was glad people cut me some slack. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"If you live in England then English should be your language. In the same way that if I went to live in Spain I would learn Spanish. If your visiting then you just need to learn a few words to get by. But if you live somewhere then to not speak the language is disrespectful."
the OP said they spoke perfect English but chose to discuss something in their native language in front of him rather than go home or outside to discuss |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"If you live in England then English should be your language. In the same way that if I went to live in Spain I would learn Spanish. If your visiting then you just need to learn a few words to get by. But if you live somewhere then to not speak the language is disrespectful.
the OP said they spoke perfect English but chose to discuss something in their native language in front of him rather than go home or outside to discuss "
You are indeed correct. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"If you live in England then English should be your language. In the same way that if I went to live in Spain I would learn Spanish. If your visiting then you just need to learn a few words to get by. But if you live somewhere then to not speak the language is disrespectful.
the OP said they spoke perfect English but chose to discuss something in their native language in front of him rather than go home or outside to discuss
You are indeed correct."
so what,they were speaking among themselves in their own tongue,i presume when they spoke to the op they spoke english.good on them i say for being multi or at least bi lingual. |
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By *igSuki81Man
over a year ago
Retirement Village |
Dear OP
i know i'm going to get torn apart for this by certain individuals who blindly support your _iews & may even run the risk of a ban from the forums but.....
.... why do i sense that some of the threads you start all have a similar theme / undertone 
Be it non-english speaking people, halal shops taking over, asians being child preadators etc etc etc
Sorry but my mind works in this way where i spot patterns. it's just an observation from me |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Dear OP
i know i'm going to get torn apart for this by certain individuals who blindly support your _iews & may even run the risk of a ban from the forums but.....
.... why do i sense that some of the threads you start all have a similar theme / undertone
Be it non-english speaking people, halal shops taking over, asians being child preadators etc etc etc
Sorry but my mind works in this way where i spot patterns. it's just an observation from me "
I was going to point out the "R" word will be used soon not quite but teetering |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Dear OP
i know i'm going to get torn apart for this by certain individuals who blindly support your _iews & may even run the risk of a ban from the forums but.....
.... why do i sense that some of the threads you start all have a similar theme / undertone
Be it non-english speaking people, halal shops taking over, asians being child preadators etc etc etc
Sorry but my mind works in this way where i spot patterns. it's just an observation from me
I was going to point out the "R" word will be used soon not quite but teetering"
The facts are the facts its that simple.
We cannot have the facts get in the way of folk wanting to make the post into something more than it is.
It is correct i am not politically correct and will say things how i see it and not always what folk expect to hear.
I am.leaving this topic now as seems to be getting hijacked and going away from the actual original post. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Surely if you wish to discuss something without someone in earshot overhearing you can do the adult thing and ask for 2 mins alone
Without being rude or using pre arranged hand signals or face pulling |
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By *igSuki81Man
over a year ago
Retirement Village |
"Dear OP
i know i'm going to get torn apart for this by certain individuals who blindly support your _iews & may even run the risk of a ban from the forums but.....
.... why do i sense that some of the threads you start all have a similar theme / undertone
Be it non-english speaking people, halal shops taking over, asians being child preadators etc etc etc
Sorry but my mind works in this way where i spot patterns. it's just an observation from me
I was going to point out the "R" word will be used soon not quite but teetering"
I didn't use the "R" word and i'm not teetering on it either.
i made an observation on a trend in the threads. Though i must admit threads like these do help me out in showing who and where to avoid |
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By *D40Couple
over a year ago
Wolverhampton |
"I think,unless someone is speaking to me directly,they can speak in whatever language they choose.who are we to tell others what language to talk in when conversing amongst themselves."
I agree. |
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By *D40Couple
over a year ago
Wolverhampton |
"I think,unless someone is speaking to me directly,they can speak in whatever language they choose.who are we to tell others what language to talk in when conversing amongst themselves."
I agree. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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One of the best advice I received within minutes of arriving at the boarding school back in 1979 was that peeps would automatically think I was talking about them if I spoke in another language in front of them.
To me, it is about showing respect to the others by not making them feel uncomfortable.
As for the scenario in the original post, I would not have an issue if the couple requested for a moment or two to speak in private, and they could speak in whatever language they choose.
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By *nnyMan
over a year ago
Glasgow |
"..........
As for the scenario in the original post, I would not have an issue if the couple requested for a moment or two to speak in private, and they could speak in whatever language they choose.
"
Indeed. It'd be basic courtesy to offer them a few minutes by themselves so they could discuss things. |
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Hundreds of years ago in a previous relationship my partner would sometimes speak to his sister in Arabic or Tamil when it was just the three of us and that used to really annoy me, but that was usually because one or the other of them didn't want me to know what they we're talking about. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I really don't understand why some people get bent out of shape about the way other people choose to speak, whether that be another language, regional dialect, or slang.
"
Efficient communication is one of the defining aspects of humanity. Studies have shown that people are uncomfortable conversing with someone wearing mirrored sunglasses, because they can't see their eyes. Not understanding someone else's words is a similar barrier to that need to communicate. |
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"Dear OP
i know i'm going to get torn apart for this by certain individuals who blindly support your _iews & may even run the risk of a ban from the forums but.....
.... why do i sense that some of the threads you start all have a similar theme / undertone
Be it non-english speaking people, halal shops taking over, asians being child preadators etc etc etc
Sorry but my mind works in this way where i spot patterns. it's just an observation from me "
agreed..
its the same old same old from the same folks with the same outlook on similar issues..
and the same yeh but no but bandwagon jumpers will find an excuse to associate themselves with it..
its often right on the verge of what they actually want to say but dare not..
and as usual anyone who points them out is some sort of pinko leftie..
hey ho..
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I think,unless someone is speaking to me directly,they can speak in whatever language they choose.who are we to tell others what language to talk in when conversing amongst themselves."
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Dear OP
i know i'm going to get torn apart for this by certain individuals who blindly support your _iews & may even run the risk of a ban from the forums but.....
.... why do i sense that some of the threads you start all have a similar theme / undertone
Be it non-english speaking people, halal shops taking over, asians being child preadators etc etc etc
Sorry but my mind works in this way where i spot patterns. it's just an observation from me
agreed..
its the same old same old from the same folks with the same outlook on similar issues..
and the same yeh but no but bandwagon jumpers will find an excuse to associate themselves with it..
its often right on the verge of what they actually want to say but dare not..
and as usual anyone who points them out is some sort of pinko leftie..
hey ho..
"
Change "pinco leftie " to "racist "
Then you have the opposing _iew |
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"Dear OP
i know i'm going to get torn apart for this by certain individuals who blindly support your _iews & may even run the risk of a ban from the forums but.....
.... why do i sense that some of the threads you start all have a similar theme / undertone
Be it non-english speaking people, halal shops taking over, asians being child preadators etc etc etc
Sorry but my mind works in this way where i spot patterns. it's just an observation from me
agreed..
its the same old same old from the same folks with the same outlook on similar issues..
and the same yeh but no but bandwagon jumpers will find an excuse to associate themselves with it..
its often right on the verge of what they actually want to say but dare not..
and as usual anyone who points them out is some sort of pinko leftie..
hey ho..
Change "pinco leftie " to "racist "
Then you have the opposing _iew "
but the difference is the pinko lefties respond to the posts on the whole started by the 'racists'..
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By *D40Couple
over a year ago
Wolverhampton |
I used to work with Greeks in the local chippy. I had done so for many years and they took great delight in teaching me all the rude/swear words & had great delight in teaching me more and showing off my new skills to their friends
Anyway i worked one shift and the man said something to one of the other girls in greek, she smirked at me & said thank you very sweetly to the manager. I asked her why she was smiling, he'd just called her a cow.....
Enough said  |
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