Verizon Tells Employees English Only, Please

The Tampa Tribune ^ | Aug. 23, 2013 | ichard Mullins | Tribune Staff

[Vinnie]

Speaking a language not understood by everyone in earshot used to be considered rude.
My older brother lived in Brazil for some years. I went to visit him many yrs. ago.
When talking to the locals and between locals in my presence they insisted he translate the conversations for my benefit.

Growing up in Miami and living through Castro’s takeover and the subsequent influx of Cubans, I saw first hand that was/is not the case.
One of my hot points today. It’s rude!

[ROCKLOBSTER]

I see the spanish speaking way too often in businesses for it to be acceptable. Go into any fast food restaurant and you’d think you were in Mehico.

Sounds like a good time to comment:

"Hey bastards...This is the United States. If you can't speak English, you can't have our money." and walk out.

[Vermont Lt]

I ran a large call, multi lingual call center.

English on the floor. Your “assigned” language on the phone. You were paid more for being bilingual.

I did not give a hoot what you spoke in the break room or parking lot. Here is a clue: They are not talking about you.

People need to lighten up.

[Right Wing Assault]

Listen for the word culereo. Pendejo is another of their favorites

Thanks! Have the recorder going and can their butts.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I love it when we use their own Alinsky tactics against them.

[Gaffer]

My sentiments exactly. I demand English in my dealings with companies. Likewise, we can turn their exclusionary sensibilities right back on them. Payback is a b!tch Jose.

[TArcher]

>>They don’t want you to know

¿Quién comió los Anasazi.

[FlingWingFlyer]

This is America. Why should they speak any other language? If they want to speak Spanish, they can move to Mexico.

[usconservative]

but because speaking Spanish at work when not absolutely necessary can make nearby English-only speakers feel excluded.

Excluded?? No, it's rude, ignorant behavior and it pisses me off. This is 'Merica dammit, we speak ENGLISH.

Want to speak spanish all the time? GO F'ing BACK TO YOUR 'HOME' COUNTRY!

[Right Wing Assault]

¿Quién comió los Anasazi. No sé, pero este era una comida sabrosa. I cheated and used a translator. My only Spanish is "¿Qué?"

[TArcher]

http://www.google.com/#q=anasazi+cannibalism

Kinda takes the air out of LaRaza’s “Cultural Pride” balloon when certain FACTS are brought to light.

[Rodamala]

Para español, presione uno.

[superloser]

I speak spanish, but when spanish speaking coworkers start conversations in spanish, I immediately shift it into english.

I tend to respond to Spanish being thrown at me ... with Chinese! That usually leads to a conversation about being courteous and not excluding people.

But then again, I speak four languages so I have a lot of opportunity to create havoc among people who "just don't get it".

[kearnyirish2]

“I used to live in Tampa Fl. and was born there. I have watched my old neighborhood and city transformed into a 3rd world country over the past 53 yrs.”

My town only took about 30 years to transform from American-American to North Quito. It isn’t unsafe, just completely foreign.

[Revolting cat!]

Good, I don’t want to speak Hindi when talking to the phone service reps!

[Cyber Liberty]

Oh, they’re sure to back down from this, now that the story is in the papers. I have 10 bucks that says Verizon caves within a week.

[Iron Munro]

Want to speak spanish all the time?
GO F'ing BACK TO YOUR 'HOME' COUNTRY!

Thanks for your heartfelt comments.

Next time don't hold it in so much!

[sarasmom]

You “ran a large call, multi lingual call center” and didn't know how often most people insulted other people when they assumed their targets did not comprehend the language?

Really?

Just how long were you in charge of running that call center?

[Vermont Lt]

You are so wrong. I have run them for twenty years. The paranoid whites/Anglos also think we were always talking about them in our staff meetings too.

Telling someone they cannot speak their native language on their own time is an idiot.

[dfwgator]

"Hola, me llamo, 'Peggy'"