I don't think it's particularly rude. Reverse the position, if you were in Lithuania, spoke the language but had a couple of English people working with you are you seriously saying you wouldn't ever speak English to them in the workplace?
Totally agree, it's not rude of them to speak in their native tongue to each other, and it's really quite paranoid to imagine that anyone speaking a language that you can't understand is speaking about you!
I live in Greece and have friends who are both English and Greek here, in mixed company we speak both languages to varying degrees of comprehension and that's as it should be.
Our Spanish friends all speak Spanish between themselves and not very good English sometimes to us so it makes lazy English people try & learn...sign language and flowing wine helps a lot surprisingly Our German friends all speak English to each other and to us even though I'm partly German as they said it's rude to speak German when Mr DQ doesn't know what's going on (I'd prefer it that way but there you go ).I think that is amazing - can you see English people all chatting away in French/German or whatever
At work I think as people have come to our country they should speak in English - I worked in Spain and they expected me to know enough Spanish to get by so it's common courtesy I reckon
And just because someone isn't speaking English it doesn't mean they are having a good laugh at your expense either. And if they are who bloody cares?
You're always picking me up on my remarks. Yes that is your right and I embrace it.
With reference to my previous point, two strangers who are perfectly capable of speaking English, who then start talking another language in the company of those who can only speak English, are more likely to be talking about you in a derogatory way than your wife. :eek:
Our Spanish friends all speak Spanish between themselves and not very good English sometimes to us so it makes lazy English people try & learn...sign language and flowing wine helps a lot surprisingly Our German friends all speak English to each other and to us even though I'm partly German as they said it's rude to speak German when Mr DQ doesn't know what's going on (I'd prefer it that way but there you go ).I think that is amazing - can you see English people all chatting away in French/German or whatever
At work I think as people have come to our country they should speak in English - I worked in Spain and they expected me to know enough Spanish to get by so it's common courtesy I reckon
Yes that is a good point DQ! Maybe both our Spanish friends could all meet up! Then they could really let go!
I think its rude. At university on my course there was a group of about 5 students who spoke to each other constantly in a foreign langauge (sorry dont know exactly what its called). Consequently I never bothered making any effort with them. They stayed in a small group for the three years of the course. I mean if I went to a foreign country to study I would make sure I could speak the language and would make the effort to speak to the students. Otherwise what is the point of studying abroad?
Something at work is really bugging me. My supervisor and two of my colleagues are Lithuanian, and every day they're constantly talking to each other in their own language, even though they can speak English and everyone else in the office is English-speaking (There are 9 of us altogether). Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I always feel that they're talking about me or other colleagues, especially when they're having a laugh or finding something particularly funny. It's really starting to p*** me off, and one of the other girls has told me she hates it too, but I'm not sure whether to say anything to the other supervisor or not. I just think it's really rude of them to speak in their own language, when their English is perfectly good enough! Has anyone else ever been in a situation like this, and do you think I'm over-reacting? (Be honest!)
Any advice much appreciated, cheers! :cool:
Yeah, it's rude. I hate it when people do that. I work along alot of asian girls and this particular one will stand infront of me and chat away in her own language - she was born in England, her english is perfect, I've told her on a few occasions that it's rude, but she'll still do it.
Learn their language, but do it on the sly - one day when you've worked out what they're saying, speak back in that language - that'd shock 'em!
Absolutely disgusting. English is the only language to be spoken in an office in general conversation. Only place a foreign language should be used is if there is a need for translator services.
If people want jobs in England they should speak English. It is polite and curteous to speak the language of the dominant culture.
When I go abroad I speak French,German or Spanish. I don't speak English.
Yeah, it's rude. I hate it when people do that. I work along alot of asian girls and this particular one will stand infront of me and chat away in her own language - she was born in England, her english is perfect, I've told her on a few occasions that it's rude, but she'll still do it.
She still does it because its not rude. What language does she speak?
Its a different situation- going on holiday or going to a foreign country to work or study. Yes we do generally disgrace ourselfs as a nation by expecting every foreign country we go to on holiday to speak English but the OP is taking about an office situation which is entirely different. If you work in a office in a foriegn country you should speak the language of that country whilst in that office.
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And just because someone isn't speaking English it doesn't mean they are having a good laugh at your expense either. And if they are who bloody cares?
Totally agree, it's not rude of them to speak in their native tongue to each other, and it's really quite paranoid to imagine that anyone speaking a language that you can't understand is speaking about you!
I live in Greece and have friends who are both English and Greek here, in mixed company we speak both languages to varying degrees of comprehension and that's as it should be.
At work I think as people have come to our country they should speak in English - I worked in Spain and they expected me to know enough Spanish to get by so it's common courtesy I reckon
With reference to my previous point, two strangers who are perfectly capable of speaking English, who then start talking another language in the company of those who can only speak English, are more likely to be talking about you in a derogatory way than your wife. :eek:
You should take that as a compliment. It means your making interesting and good points that are worth replying to.
Yes that is a good point DQ! Maybe both our Spanish friends could all meet up! Then they could really let go!
Yeah, it's rude. I hate it when people do that. I work along alot of asian girls and this particular one will stand infront of me and chat away in her own language - she was born in England, her english is perfect, I've told her on a few occasions that it's rude, but she'll still do it.
Learn their language, but do it on the sly - one day when you've worked out what they're saying, speak back in that language - that'd shock 'em!
If people want jobs in England they should speak English. It is polite and curteous to speak the language of the dominant culture.
When I go abroad I speak French,German or Spanish. I don't speak English.
Bothered me a bit at first, but accepted it quite soon.
Ofg course it is easier for them to speak Lithuanina than English.
And I dont think they would be talking about you...
:rolleyes:
Not entirely as its possible to understand,Dutch,Danish,Catalan,Portugese and Greek. So its not a limiting experience.