Talk to them

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2005 : May : 4

Talk to them
By Teech

There's no need for you to offer a preface explaining that you do not bear prejudice or ill-will. Part of the problem in America is that we're too politically correct, in my humble opinion.

I agree with the previous post.
The behavior of your colleagues is rude and really is the equivalent of whispering in front of another person. That's a great analogy.
We have this at our school only it's the students who speak in their native language to our cafeteria workers, point, and laugh (middle school). And it drives the head cafeteria worker crazy. Well...guess what - she told them, "Listen girls, you're

in America, speak ENGLISH! You're being really rude!" And she's exactly right. The girls, immature and unworldly as they are, just giggled.

If I were in your position, I think I would just ask politely that they speak English and let them know that you cannot understand them otherwise. There's certainly nothing offensive about it. You have a right to be included in the conversation.

It would be interesting to see their reaction. I admit, I'm usually a cynical person but this time I'm thinking: "Well...maybe they're not doing it on purpose. They just don't realize...or they're so caught up in their conversation."

You seem like a very nice, reasonble person. If they get defensive about your request or resent it, then you know they're just plain obnoxious - in which case, I wouldn't even be interested in what they had to say. ;-)

Hee, hee...