No Hablas Englais.....

[DickyT]

Originally Posted by KC_JoNeS

I come from Cali, and let us be honest for one second....Cali is Mexico.

Need a good laugh Casey? I was born and raised in North Mexico (Cali) for twenty years, and now live in North Cuba (Florida) for the last 17 years and I still can't order gasoline in any language other than English or French (my language of choice in school, dumb move).

I agree completely that the US school system is sub par compared to most of the world today, and has gone downhill since my school days.

In reflection I should not have gotten so upset about being refused service, I should have just gone up the road to the next non BP or Citgo station, got back to work and looked at the web for their corporate info.

Somewhere between the 100 degree days, quitting smoking, and being refused service over language 20 miles from my home, I had a moment of temporary rage that the wonderful people of this forum were selfishly subjected too.

I am mailing my letter out this morning to Chevron's customer care, thanks for the info on that Dez.

[KC_JoNeS]

Originally Posted by DickyT

Need a good laugh Casey? I was born and raised in North Mexico (Cali) for twenty years, and now live in North Cuba (Florida) for the last 17 years and I still can't order gasoline in any language other than English or French (my language of choice in school, dumb move).

I'm with you. I have been dating all kinds of asian women for the last 8 or so years....and have learned a bit of each of their languages....Thai, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Chinese, etc. I still say "gas"



Casey

[dkf]

I just honestly believe that the American school system has led us to be lazy in terms of language.
I come from Cali, and let us be honest for one second....Cali is Mexico. Now, I dont want to get into any argument about legal vs non-legal, I am just saying that the education system should be revisited to stress stronger learning of other languages.

When you make people/kids learn a different language you are forcing a culture on them which is not right IMO. I was made to take spanish in school and it pissed me off but I got no choice in the matter. I would have had much more use for PA dutch or even french than spanish. Have a language as requirement is ok but they should have a choice in languages or another option.

[Mr.Slave]

Originally Posted by dkf

When you make people/kids learn a different language you are forcing a culture on them which is not right IMO.

no. you are learning a new language...
being a little bit worldly isn't a bad thing you know..

[Karadjas]

Originally Posted by Mr.Slave

no. you are learning a new language...
being a little bit worldly isn't a bad thing you know..

Especially when moving to another country. If I were to move to Italy, I would be reasonably expected to learn Italian. Same thing with the station guy, there's no excuse for not learning the most widely used language in the country of your residence.

By moving to a foreign country, you move onto their land and into their culture by choice. Might as well make an effort to fit in.

I only spent 3 years in London studying, and I even got a south London accent out of it.

No excuse.

[dkf]

Originally Posted by Mr.Slave

no. you are learning a new language...
being a little bit worldly isn't a bad thing you know..

They teach you about more than just the language, at least in the class I had. They taught us all about spanish traditions, culture, food and etc, not just the language. I shouldn't have to be "Worldly" when staying in my own country. If you move to another country yeah you should learn the native/dominant language.

[Grumpster1980]

Come to California and you will want to leave quickly. It is full of crime, gangbangers, graffitti, and Illigals. We can thank the Open boarder policy, Sanctuary Cities (where cities will habor Illegals knowingly like San Francisco) and the refusal to enforce federal laws designed to deport Illegals.

I am not a recist and work, live, know many Mexicans but the rampant flow of Illegals is destroying America. Enter legally would be great but it will never change so we are all screwed. Soon California will be a shit hole just like Mexico is. Next your state?

[Just_Gerald]

Originally Posted by dkf

I shouldn't have to be "Worldly" when staying in my own country.

good god, it's the quitessential american stupidity. Whay would I want to learn about any other culture that is older and much richer in every facet? I'm going to stay ignorant and bigoted in my own little world.

oh and definition of 'melting pot' is a coming together of all cultures, not the assimilation into one.

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by Just_Gerald

good god, it's the quitessential american stupidity. Whay would I want to learn about any other culture that is older and much richer in every facet? I'm going to stay ignorant and bigoted in my own little world.

And there's that good old Canuk attitude....."I think I'm better than everyone else and that I'm always right"

Psst.....you're wrong on both accounts.

[dkf]

Originally Posted by Just_Gerald

good god, it's the quitessential american stupidity. Whay would I want to learn about any other culture that is older and much richer in every facet? I'm going to stay ignorant and bigoted in my own little world.

oh and definition of 'melting pot' is a coming together of all cultures, not the assimilation into one.

Another victim of the socialist attitude, don't worry maybe some day you will be able to have your own opinions. Spanish, rich culture.

[KC_JoNeS]

Originally Posted by Just_Gerald

good god, it's the quitessential american stupidity. Whay would I want to learn about any other culture that is older and much richer in every facet? I'm going to stay ignorant and bigoted in my own little world.

oh and definition of 'melting pot' is a coming together of all cultures, not the assimilation into one.

I am American, and I will say that I agree with you....only because I have moved away from America and can actually see Americans from another perspective.

Casey

[KNIFE]

Originally Posted by DickyT

I about as open minded as they come, not much offends me, I am neither liberal or conservative, just kinda walk the middle line. Some shit though can boil my blood.

I live in America, the official language in America is English... no? Have I missed something here where English is no longer acceptable?

Earlier today I had to cross county lines into Dade county. I had to remove some decommissioned equipment from the co-location center the company I slave to uses as a data center.

On the drive back my gas light came on, so I stopped at the first non BP or Citgo I came upon, a Chevron. The card reader at the pump was broken so I went inside to pay. I handed the clerk my card and said "$35 on pump seven please"

I received a puzzled look followed by a "Que (kay)?" I repeated $35 on pump seven please.

The clerk responded "No hablas englais", I responded "No hablas espanol" to which I was responded "No habla espanol, no gasolina gringo"

Really? I'm US born and raised, red blooded, patriotic, and a non spanish speaker. I was refused service because I did not speak the clerks language.

the clerk was the only one there, no manager to speak too and none of the outside pumps had a working card reader.

I handed the clerk the $10 I had on me cash and said "numero siete" and went to pump my gas.

I drove a few miles up the road to the next non BP or Citgo, they had a working card reader and I finished filling my tank.

The bad things is down here most of the non english speakers are here legally under wet foot dry foot. I get why they come here, I don't mind their presence if they are legal, but learn the damn language... and DO NOT refuse a US born citizen service simply because they do not speak your native tongue....

This is not the first time I have come across this in Miami, and I am furious every time, this is just the first time I have had it happen on a work day when I am trapped behind a computer for hours with an outlet to vent

[\Rant]

PS: to the Spanish speakers out there, pardon my horrible spelling of your language. I am after all just a dumb gringo

call border patrol, they need to fly their proud flags at home

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by KC_JoNeS

I am American, and I will say that I agree with you....only because I have moved away from America and can actually see Americans from another perspective.

Casey

Amazing how that works, huh?

[KC_JoNeS]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

Amazing how that works, huh?

I get alot of hate from people because of what I just said...but I just call it like I see it.

Casey

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by KC_JoNeS

I get alot of hate from people because of what I just said...but I just call it like I see it.

Casey

Things look different when you're standing outside the box. Always has, always will.

To those that disagree: this is America, where all races, colors, and cultures are welcomed. Its one of the principals that this country was founded on. Don't like it? Go start your own country.

[Tydl]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

Things look different when you're standing outside the box. Always has, always will.

To those that disagree: this is America, where all races, colors, and cultures are welcomed. Its one of the principals that this country was founded on. Don't like it? Go start your own country.

I do agree but we have established laws to make a stable and safe country, and coming here illegally doesn't make for a good start.

That being said, this thread was a rant by a friend about being treated like a second class citizen in his(our) own country. Unacceptable.

[Just_Gerald]

Originally Posted by Tydl

That being said, this thread was a rant by a friend about being treated like a second class citizen in his(our) own country. Unacceptable.

Actually, he wasn't treated like a second class citizen in his own country. He was treated poorly in a gas station, where, as it is their property, they can chose to serve or not to serve you as they please. Granted, the method was rude and not smart if they plan on getting any business again, but hey, free enterpise FTW!! Capitalisim at its best!

[Tydl]

Originally Posted by Just_Gerald

Actually, he wasn't treated like a second class citizen in his own country. He was treated poorly in a gas station, where, as it is their property, they can chose to serve or not to serve you as they please. Granted, the method was rude and not smart if they plan on getting any business again, but hey, free enterpise FTW!! Capitalisim at its best!

I disagree, he was refused service based on the fact that he didn't speak the language the attandant came from. Not rudeness, you are reading into it, based on what the attandant said, he was refused based on the fact that he(DickyT) was using the most common(should be national) language in the usa. That to me is like any other type of hate and ignorance.

[DickyT]

Originally Posted by KNIFE

call border patrol, they need to fly their proud flags at home

I'm in South Florida, they are here legally do to wet foot dry foot, or I would have.

[DickyT]

Originally Posted by Tydl

he was refused service based on the fact that he didn't speak the language the attandant came from.

This is correct, at no point was I rude to the attendant, I was all please and thank yous. It was not until I left the station that I got very upset.