No Hablas Englais.....

[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

[TattooKenny]

Ive been through that here at the shop I dont know how many times. Now all of us at the shop find out if they really do speak english or not. Last time I told the guy he was a prick and I was going to sleep with his mother! It was amazing! All of a sudden he knew english!!!

[Mr.Slave]

how should he know or care that you are a us born citizen?


thats pretty bullshit though how did he ever get a job there..?

[LR3]

Thats messed up. I would like to see one of them willingly enter the army here

[RANOVRU]

Thats a two way street. There are plenty of legals here that have the same problem when they go into a store.

I dont sympathize, just saying. Maybe its a conspiracy & they're all in on it....

[bquin]

Maybe 4 years in the Marines or the Army would teach them to love this country like the rest of us.

[bquin]

Originally Posted by RANOVRU

Thats a two way street. There are plenty of legals here that have the same problem when they go into a store.

I dont sympathize, just saying. Maybe its a conspiracy & they're all in on it....

Yeah , but dont you think a legal Mexican immigrant should learn to speak english?

[dezfan]

Right a nasty letter to Chevron about your experience.

Chevron Headquarters

6001 Bollinger Canyon Road
San Ramon, CA 94583, USA
Telephone: +1 925.842.1000

Service Station Comments

Consumer Connection Center
P.O. Box 4000
Bellaire, TX 77402-4000, USA
Telephone: +1 800.962.1223

[Mr.Slave]

Originally Posted by bquin

Maybe 4 years in the Marines or the Army would teach them to love this country like the rest of us.

Yeah they must really hate America if they are willing to put up with all that hate and prejudice towards them....

[dezfan]

Originally Posted by Mr.Slave

Yeah they must really hate America if they are willing to put up with all that hate and prejudice towards them....

Invite them all up to live w/ you.

[Mr.Slave]

Originally Posted by dezfan

Invite them all up to live w/ you.

**** them! they'll steal that job I hate doing.
my country is full too BTW.

[biggin69]

I wish NO-BAMA would do something about the fence hoppin' S.O.B.'S.

[DickyT]

Originally Posted by Mr.Slave

how should he know or care that you are a us born citizen?

thats pretty bullshit though how did he ever get a job there..?

It should not matter or be cared about by them, that is just for me.

I just think that if someone is going to be allowed here legally and work in a position where they have to deal with the public, they should make an effort to learn the official language of the nation.

If I was in any latin, eastern european, asian, african, etc. nation and refused service because I did not speak their language, I could accept that. Communication barrier and I do not know how to communicate on their soil.

To be refused service in America because English is the only language I can wrap my pea brain around I find unacceptable.


As far as them getting the job, they only need to be a legal resident. That part of Miami is predominantly latin, I was certainly the minority in the area.

[Mr.Slave]

Originally Posted by DickyT

It should not matter or be cared about by them, that is just for me.

I just think that if someone is going to be allowed here legally and work in a position where they have to deal with the public, they should make an effort to learn the official language of the nation.

If I was in any latin, eastern european, asian, african, etc. nation and refused service because I did not speak their language, I could accept that. Communication barrier and I do not know how to communicate on their soil.

To be refused service in America because English is the only language I can wrap my pea brain around I find unacceptable.


As far as them getting the job, they only need to be a legal resident. That part of Miami is predominantly latin, I was certainly the minority in the area.

well shit.
I totally agree with everything you wrote.

[DickyT]

Originally Posted by Mr.Slave

Yeah they must really hate America if they are willing to put up with all that hate and prejudice towards them....

I have no hate or prejudice towards anyone on the basis of race, gender or sexual orientation.

I have extreme prejudice to being refused service on US soil because they only language I am fluent in is English.

[bquin]

Originally Posted by Mr.Slave

Yeah they must really hate America if they are willing to put up with all that hate and prejudice towards them....

they do hate us.........where to begin?

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by dezfan

Service Station Comments

Consumer Connection Center
P.O. Box 4000
Bellaire, TX 77402-4000, USA
Telephone: +1 800.962.1223

Hummm...that is about two minutes from my office.


My opinion.....the guy was screwing with you. I used to work at a gas station, and I HATED it! I used to piss people off for entertainment...

[Benzbuildr]

I work for Mercedes-Benz. I work with people from all over the world. Germany, Brazil, and China to name a few, They all speak English, and that is the language we use because everyone speaks it. Some of us can speak these other languages, but English is the working language here. I would hate to know I had to speak all the languages that came here to work. If that was the case I would have to learn at least 10 languages.

[DickyT]

Originally Posted by dezfan

Right a nasty letter to Chevron about your experience.

Chevron Headquarters

6001 Bollinger Canyon Road
San Ramon, CA 94583, USA
Telephone: +1 925.842.1000

Service Station Comments

Consumer Connection Center
P.O. Box 4000
Bellaire, TX 77402-4000, USA
Telephone: +1 800.962.1223

Thanks for that Dez

[crash]

DickyT you and I have the very same outlook and I would have been just as mad as you along with I agree with you 100%.