Anyone else have this issue? Nothing against any language, but I find it difficult to concentrate when I over hear it, constantly.
People in my work talk in their native language about work, non work (social) to each other, and on the phone (personal phone calls).
It also seems people think because you aren't speaking English that it gives you a free pass to talk on your cell at their desk/cube without taking it outside.
I'm all for diversity, but I think if you in a work setting you should be talking English, at least if it's about work.
I don't mind it. It's interesting because a lot of the technical terms are in English, so there will be a long string of conversation I don't understand and then I'll catch "chromaticity" or "dipole" or "BPM".
What happened to this country? We used to be a melting pot.
IMO, it makes them more productive, and lessens the possibility of a misunderstanding if they use the wrong term trying to speak English. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure they're not talking about you.
Uh, okay.
Hahaha this was a good one
That's a stretch.... People think too highly of themselves if this is the common thought.
Quote:
in front of you it's because they're talking about you.
That's a stretch.... People think too highly of themselves if this is the common thought.
Lastly for 18 months I worked at place with many Vietnamese Engineers. They, to a person, never used Vietnamese while discussing work during my time with them, regardless of their accents. I really never thought of that before reading this thread.
Quote:
In comment 13556076 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
in front of you it's because they're talking about you.
That's a stretch.... People think too highly of themselves if this is the common thought.
LOL, def went over my head if that was a joke.
Quote:
In comment 13556081 Ceez2.0 said:
Quote:
In comment 13556076 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
in front of you it's because they're talking about you.
That's a stretch.... People think too highly of themselves if this is the common thought.
LOL, def went over my head if that was a joke.
Of course it was a joke.
Quote:
In comment 13556097 RC02XX said:
Quote:
In comment 13556081 Ceez2.0 said:
Quote:
In comment 13556076 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
in front of you it's because they're talking about you.
That's a stretch.... People think too highly of themselves if this is the common thought.
LOL, def went over my head if that was a joke.
Of course it was a joke.
Understood, my bad man.
corrected
Although if I get a personal call, I always speak in the other language, so that my noisy co-workers can't understand what I'm saying.
I've had the same, with female Russian colleagues who had very soft clean English spoken in the work environments. At lunch time, I'd have to close my office door because their Russian accents were just so thick that they seemed to be yelling and angry all the time.
Funny you mentioned the "Must get Moose and Squirrel!" line, I've had younger Russian co-workers say that and I ask them to use a thick accent. Most are too young to get the reference. One of the girls to this say, still says that too me because she thinks it's funny but pretty sure she doesn't get the reference. =)
Quote:
I have two female Russian colleagues who are polite and their English is easy on the ears, but, when they start speaking Russian its like two NKVD agents deciding how to torture. I have to step away. I wish once they would say: "Must get Moose and Squirrel!"
I've had the same, with female Russian colleagues who had very soft clean English spoken in the work environments. At lunch time, I'd have to close my office door because their Russian accents were just so thick that they seemed to be yelling and angry all the time.
Funny you mentioned the "Must get Moose and Squirrel!" line, I've had younger Russian co-workers say that and I ask them to use a thick accent. Most are too young to get the reference. One of the girls to this say, still says that too me because she thinks it's funny but pretty sure she doesn't get the reference. =)
I think the voice actress just died like 3 or 4 days ago.
Hell, I've been in meetings in Germany with English as the primary language and they will hold a meeting in English for mu benefit and because it is the company language. There were actually times (if everyone else was German) that I'd tell them to please hold the meeting in German. Allowed me to learn more about the language also gave them the chance to talk more comfortably.
To me there's very few things more arrogant than expecting others to speak English, especially in a culture where we seem almost averse to learning other ones.
Lastly for 18 months I worked at place with many Vietnamese Engineers. They, to a person, never used Vietnamese while discussing work during my time with them, regardless of their accents. I really never thought of that before reading this thread.
Well that's the point I was trying to make...how about being discrete and/or considerate of others? The volume of conversation definitely goes up, because there's no issue with what's being said.
Admittedly, I have a issue concentrating when these conversations are going on - personal problem! lol.....
But when side conversations in a meeting break out in a different language, or people decide to hold a meeting outside your cube in a different language, I do have issues with that.
What they're talking about, even if it's me, is of no consequence.
English is a trap to only speak English.
I'm Pro English everywhere, but let's be honest.. English is tough to move away from. I find it insanely hard and even uninteresting despite my desire to learn other languages.
It's nearly impossible to sit down and say "Okay, I'm gonna try to learn Korean or German. Or even Spanish it's hard to master"
Maybe I'm just dumb, but I took Spanish courses in school for 7 years and barely know anything besides numbers, colors, and some infant sentences
Funny story, I used to have a cube next to a Russian coworker, who used to work in Germany. Every once in a while, I'd hear him swear in German. It always cracked me up!
To me there's very few things more arrogant than expecting others to speak English, especially in a culture where we seem almost averse to learning other ones.
I think it's more the way it's done or where it's done........common courtesy and really, common sense.
Is it less annoying to hear my office mate discuss what she did last weekend and how drunk she got vs. talking ion a language I don't understand?
I can't think it would be to much different.
Maybe I'm just dumb,
...
The FL thing: I'd hope it'd be in English more to create a better integration among co-workers, especially if it's one where you might be able to offer help, advice on a situation: find a good doctor, mechanic, a seafood place...
Communication is an essential tool, not an ethnicity.
Lol. Thought of the Seinfeld episode where the nail shop ladies are talking about Elaine in Korean.
Communication is an essential tool, not an ethnicity.
Must be great for the patients who dont speak English.
Quote:
requesting English-only, equates to bigotry.
Communication is an essential tool, not an ethnicity.
Isn't this thread about when people are speaking to eachother, but not you directly?
Yes, they missed the point entirely, while being incredibly defensive.
I too would rather people not speaking to me speak another language. I don't want to engage in their bs. 'Your aunt got a tumor'? 'It's hot outside'? Id rather the white noise.
The particular language wouldn't bother me though, but I am no nosy Nancy.
suggestion - of u have a someone who speaks another language in office, never hurts to learn a few phrases and try talking to them in that language. people really seem to dig it when u make the effort to learn their language, regardless of the setting
"Professor, can you help me with a phrase I heard at work, - the only words I understood were fat, overpaid, douchebag..."