Would you think this rude??
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Hi
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:
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:
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They must be saying something that they don't want know one else to hear. I would find it quite rude and annoying...
I guess the rest of you could learn another language on the quiet, then talk about them.
You could even learn a really useful language, such as sign language.
Well, I do agree that it's a little bit out of order, but I might have a solution. I know a bit of Lithuanian myself and the following should be shouted loudly whenever they start doing this;
Nekalbame Lietuviskai! Prasau gal galite kalbeti Angliskai!
That translates as "We do not speak Lithuanian, please speak English!" It might not work, but if you say it enough, hopefully they'll get the message!
Well not all Welsh people actually speak Welsh. The schools do influence the language but since I am home educated I have nothing to worry and will carry on speaking and writing English.
I just give them a quick look of disdain, but to be perfectly honest I couldn't care less what they are saying (even about me)
Little do they know I do understand a little Polish. Mostly swear words I picked up from a former girlfriend!
I know it's not the same, but...
I used to work with a guy from Delhi who was spending his first year in the UK. The security guard used to bowl up to me and mouth off (saying he's probably in Al Queda) about him speaking in his native language outside.
He was talking to his Mum who doesn't speak English, and he used to speak a damn site better English than the scurity bloke. It wound me up all the time - what else could he do? I bet he wouldn't learn a language if he was working in India with someone.
Jimmy - when I was working at the same place there were a lot of Polish workers there. As we all started at the same time we were in the same area, and would go to lunch together. They'd often slip in to their first language, and one of the girls from Turkey wanted to know what they were saying, so they started teaching her.
I picked up a lot of swear words within a few weeks - have forgotten them now though!
They used to mention people all the time and we'd all be bemused - it was all in good humour though. At least I think it was.
To the OP i have to agree with the Agent^ ! I dont think its rude, but it is very annoying for you and its perfectly natural that you'd get wound up. But there's not a lot you can do about it... You cant really stop them from talking another language i dont think....
Rather strangley imo, when several ex colleagues went to work in our German offices they said everyone spoke English there, even though 90% ish were German. Bit too unselfish perhaps?!.. But like others have said its quite natural to slip into your own language...
I'm not sure the advice of learning lithuanian is a very constructive one. If I were you I would try really hard to ignore it, because the more you think about it, and the more you notice it, hear it etc the more it'll annoy you. Either stick with your english speaking friends, or start talking to them non stop so they dont have the chance to talk amongst themselves! Thing is if people want to gossip and talk about other staff, which does happen in all offices, then they'll find a way. If thats what they are doing, then if its not this way, it'd be after work, by email etc.. It sounds as though you guys talk about them also... As for other stuff they talk about well that probably doesn't matter so much does it....(?)
Not quite the same, but when I get my nails done they always start rabbiting on in Vietnamese(? i think). I do find it very annoying and thought they were rude also. Especially because sometimes its really obvious they are talking about us customers. I used to get wound up because I didnt have the chance to answer back if they were talking about me! But then I thought since there is nothing I can do about its best I just try and push those thoughts out of my head and now think about anything else...
I agree with that too. I work with people who often speak German, Spanish, French, Japanese and Arabic to each other and to people on the phone. I don't understand much of it, but it makes life interesting.
Yep, I'm with you and AK. One of my closest friends back home is Greek and weekends at her house with her Greek parents and their friends is always entertaining. For most of them English is a second language and so of course they speak their native language amongst each other. Stacee (my friend) would translate and I learnt quite a bit of Greek as a result.
The one time it really upset me was when this bitchy girl and I had a fracas and she walked straight up to a colleague, to whom I was talking about something else, and cut across our conversation with a rant about my attitude in Spanish, which I do not speak. I discussed it with her manager, she accepted it was out of order and asked her not to do that in future.
however countries in eastern europe usually do not teach english at their schools and thus you have this inability to know the language....
whilst it is very irritating, i dont think you need to allow yourself to be bothered by it.
as more and more ppl from these countries come and work in the uk, such situations are going to be more and more commonplace.
what might be best is if ALL those who feel offended by this behaviour were to perhaps have a little friendly meeting with the others....if only one of you speaks up, you will probably be ostracised or disliked by them for telling them off?? if ALL of you feel the same then your supervisor will have to perhaps reconsider .....
im always keen to learn new languages and would probably ask them how to say a few words....ultimately it might be most beneficial if you go down the old 'if you cant beat 'em, join 'em' route.....