Can any native Spanish-speakers answer this question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's kind of ridiculous that Americans are encouraged to learn a second language, there are a ton of Spanish speakers in the DC area, yet it's rude to speak Spanish to them. What's the point? It's fun to learn a language but apparently you're better off joining a meetup group where you're supposed to be learning, or going to a Spanish speaking country where you have to speak the language.

This.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you are fine, but read the room, yanno? If you are speaking to someone in Spanish and they look pleased and welcoming, continue. If they look like it is no fun for them, then stop. And if your halting Spanish is impeding a busy person in their work, not a great time for it, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think you are fine, but read the room, yanno? If you are speaking to someone in Spanish and they look pleased and welcoming, continue. If they look like it is no fun for them, then stop. And if your halting Spanish is impeding a busy person in their work, not a great time for it, either.

Exactly. It's a social skills question more than anything else. Don't corner a random person with last name Garcia and force them to converse in broken Spanish for an hour. But saying "Hola, como esta Ud?" to your house cleaner is fine.

[Anonymous]

Why don’t you just practice with some of your friends who speak Spanish? Surely they’d be willing to help if they know you’re excited to practice. I think I’d do that before condescending to strangers or employees.

[Anonymous]

I don't it's a big deal OP. DCUM is definitely not the place to get advice. Fast food and cleaners do not hang out here. People are so easily offended here. I live in Miami and it's offensive NOT to speak Spanish. Maybe consider moving to South Florida! You will be fluent in no time!

[Anonymous]

Spanish speaker here. I think most Spanish speakers will like and appreciate the effort you are putting. Most of them won't find it condescending, in my experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's kind of ridiculous that Americans are encouraged to learn a second language, there are a ton of Spanish speakers in the DC area, yet it's rude to speak Spanish to them. What's the point? It's fun to learn a language but apparently you're better off joining a meetup group where you're supposed to be learning, or going to a Spanish speaking country where you have to speak the language.

This.

Yup. But, hopefully it’s mainly the DCUM types who think like this, and not most people in real life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, people who speak languages other than English are annoyed when Americans try to speak their language? Interesting. You would think they would think it's nice that Americans show an interest and try to engage in dialogue using their language.

We have traveled to many French and Spanish speaking countries, and people have seem pleased when our kids use basic phrases in their language. Truly pleased.

Perhaps there is something about being in America that just makes everyone an easily annoyed, easily offended jerk?

I speak Korean and Chinese and yes I get annoyed and sometimes offended when random white and black people come up to me in DC saying anyonghasayo or nihao. I’m not a cultural ambassador nor am I your friend. Just because I look Asian and speak another language doesn’t mean I’m not as American as you are. Im more comfortable speaking English and I resent the requirement that I humor you with your terrible Korean and your interest in kimchi. Just shut up.

[Anonymous]

Here's another etiquette question I'm wondering about. We were at an athletic event and met the parents of a friend. They're of Cuban origin and they brought along friends of theirs who were visiting who only spoke Spanish. They were having fun talking about what was going on in the competition and I was listening and smiling but I was wondering if it was rude to *not* indicate that I spoke Spanish. Even though I'm only an intermediate, it seemed rude to listen in without saying something to show I understood what they were talking about. And normally if I were meeting visitors I would participate in the conversation as a way of welcoming them. Finally at some point I said a sentence in my middle-level Spanish.

Anyway, what are people's thoughts about that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, people who speak languages other than English are annoyed when Americans try to speak their language? Interesting. You would think they would think it's nice that Americans show an interest and try to engage in dialogue using their language.

We have traveled to many French and Spanish speaking countries, and people have seem pleased when our kids use basic phrases in their language. Truly pleased.

Perhaps there is something about being in America that just makes everyone an easily annoyed, easily offended jerk?

I speak Korean and Chinese and yes I get annoyed and sometimes offended when random white and black people come up to me in DC saying anyonghasayo or nihao. I’m not a cultural ambassador nor am I your friend. Just because I look Asian and speak another language doesn’t mean I’m not as American as you are. Im more comfortable speaking English and I resent the requirement that I humor you with your terrible Korean and your interest in kimchi. Just shut up.

This is not relevant at all. OP said she explains that she’s learning. Btw this thread was for Spanish speakers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's another etiquette question I'm wondering about. We were at an athletic event and met the parents of a friend. They're of Cuban origin and they brought along friends of theirs who were visiting who only spoke Spanish. They were having fun talking about what was going on in the competition and I was listening and smiling but I was wondering if it was rude to *not* indicate that I spoke Spanish. Even though I'm only an intermediate, it seemed rude to listen in without saying something to show I understood what they were talking about. And normally if I were meeting visitors I would participate in the conversation as a way of welcoming them. Finally at some point I said a sentence in my middle-level Spanish.

Anyway, what are people's thoughts about that?

Um besides the fact that you need therapy to make a decision? Use your our mind.

[Anonymous]

Each country speaks Spanish differently and in their own way and they all have different words for certain things.

So do not charm yourself into thinking you are fluent because you will never be fluent and you will always be an outsider to them.

They all can tell by the way you speak (no matter how fluent you think you are) that you are an outsider.

[Anonymous]

Money = Peseta. Chavo. Plata. Peso. Dinero. Dolares.

Different social classes and different generations in each individual Spanish speaking country are going to say money differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's kind of ridiculous that Americans are encouraged to learn a second language, there are a ton of Spanish speakers in the DC area, yet it's rude to speak Spanish to them. What's the point? It's fun to learn a language but apparently you're better off joining a meetup group where you're supposed to be learning, or going to a Spanish speaking country where you have to speak the language.

This.

Yup. But, hopefully it’s mainly the DCUM types who think like this, and not most people in real life.

It’s more that it’s annoying that you expect random people to let you practice on them, or use them because you don’t want to pay for a tutor. Sort of like when you find out someone is a doctor and you start asking medical questions, or if you insist on following a wedding photographer around and taking shots over their shoulder because you’re taking a photography class and you need more practice. It’s not the end of the world, but not everyone wants to give out free lessons, especially if they’re just trying to do their job.

That’s why I suggested OP practice with her Spanish speaking friends instead of strangers. There’s already a personal relationship, and friends help each other out. Someone who depends on OP financially might not feel free to say no if they’re annoyed or uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Money = Peseta. Chavo. Plata. Peso. Dinero. Dolares.

Different social classes and different generations in each individual Spanish speaking country are going to say money differently.

Yes, but I would say, as a native Spanish speaker, that we would know what the other person is referring to. Each country/social class/town/region might have different words for the same thing but ( and especially here in the United States ) we understand each other.

And to the poster who is belittling the Asian American who chimed in, that person knows exactly what it’s like to be a speaker of another language having somebody else practice with them. Korean/Spanish, same feeling.