Replies

Any problems with people making the slightest effort to fit in here or are we all supposed to become multi-lingual to accomodate them?

Don't get me wrong - I've got no problem with learning a foreign language; and if I had my druthers, I would probably learn more than one. I have an interest in cultures that speak Japanese, Spanish and French (Hey, sue me - I like Canada!). But if we moved to any part of Latin America, they would demand that we learn to speak their language in order to do any sort of business with their government for things as simple as getting mail or getting a driver's license. As a result, they shouldn't have a problem with conforming to the local language (i.e., English) when they move here.

When I traveled in Europe, as well as having studied Spanish and Italian, I took along a French and German dictionary. I made myself understood when the situation called for it.
When I traveled to Egypt in the 80's as part of a study group, I took a course in Arabic beforehand. (Although Egyptian Arabic is quite different from the Classical Arabic taught in the classroom.)
Why can't I, in my own neighborhood in New Jersey, be understood when I speak English in stores, restaurants, on the phone with Cablevision, in banks and, especially, when I try to call a cab? I think it's disgusting that my local telephone directory is divided in half so that if you pick it up the wrong way, the entire thing is in Spanish and you have to turn it over to find information.
I blame this on politicians who are so eager to grab votes that they legislate in favor any group who happens to have taken over a neighborhood,county,city or state. They have created "political correctness" by a**-kissing and we all have to suffer for it.