harrisonba
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- Aug 15, 2010
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This is a completely trivial expat rant, and I apologize in advance.
I find it incredibly rude when I have engaged with someone in castellano, and even though they understand perfectly, they insist on switching to English.
I've lived here on and off 2.5 years of the last 5. I speak 4 languages. I can hold a conversation in castellano without breaking a sweat, my porteño friends understand me, my pronunciation is decent, I can function perfectly in day to day life... and suddenly, a waiter in Palermo hears an accent, and *although he knows damn well what I want* he INSISTS on switching to English.
Yesterday, after greeting the waiter and asking for the merienda special, he said "with ham and cheese, right?". I answered in Spanish, and off he went. He brought my order, and I said, "gracias". To which he helpfully replied, "you're welcome".
Today, I ordered and the waiter said, "something else?", like I could navigate getting seated, asking for the menu and ordering with an allergy question somehow without understanding "algo más?". So, prepared for the possibility of this happening, I answered in castellano that I don't actually speak English, I speak French. What is freaking bizarre is that although he understood, he continued to try to engage me in English. "I sorry I do not speak francés", etc.
Why does it bother me so much?
1. Because it is demeaning, unnecessary and completely unhelpful if the person speaking castellano is understood, and understands what is being said to them.
2. Because, why English? Whenever I've engaged with a porteño stranger to the point where they're comfortable asking personal questions, they often say, "you're from France, right?", so whatever accent I have is not particularly "English".
Over the years I've been patient because I've figured that people are either wanting to practice their English when they can, or trying to be helpful. But I'm not buying "helpful" or that any "English practice" is happening, because when I've actually tried to engage in English, they've freaked out and disappeared.
I once asked a stranger for help on a train in Belgium when I was just learning Dutch and my pronunciation was atrocious. Even though it was perfectly obvious that I was a beginner, she responded in Dutch and when she could see I was having trouble, asked, in Dutch, "Would you prefer I answer in Dutch, English, or...?". So that is the polite way to handle it. If you're engaging with someone in the language of the country you're in and you can understand them just fine, leave it alone. If they are clearly struggling, and you want to move things along or be helpful, ask what language they speak and offer to speak in that language. A beginner in a language will generally know how to say where they're from and what languages they speak.
So what is happening here?
Is anyone with me on this? If so, how do you deal with it?
I find it incredibly rude when I have engaged with someone in castellano, and even though they understand perfectly, they insist on switching to English.
I've lived here on and off 2.5 years of the last 5. I speak 4 languages. I can hold a conversation in castellano without breaking a sweat, my porteño friends understand me, my pronunciation is decent, I can function perfectly in day to day life... and suddenly, a waiter in Palermo hears an accent, and *although he knows damn well what I want* he INSISTS on switching to English.
Yesterday, after greeting the waiter and asking for the merienda special, he said "with ham and cheese, right?". I answered in Spanish, and off he went. He brought my order, and I said, "gracias". To which he helpfully replied, "you're welcome".
Today, I ordered and the waiter said, "something else?", like I could navigate getting seated, asking for the menu and ordering with an allergy question somehow without understanding "algo más?". So, prepared for the possibility of this happening, I answered in castellano that I don't actually speak English, I speak French. What is freaking bizarre is that although he understood, he continued to try to engage me in English. "I sorry I do not speak francés", etc.
Why does it bother me so much?
1. Because it is demeaning, unnecessary and completely unhelpful if the person speaking castellano is understood, and understands what is being said to them.
2. Because, why English? Whenever I've engaged with a porteño stranger to the point where they're comfortable asking personal questions, they often say, "you're from France, right?", so whatever accent I have is not particularly "English".
Over the years I've been patient because I've figured that people are either wanting to practice their English when they can, or trying to be helpful. But I'm not buying "helpful" or that any "English practice" is happening, because when I've actually tried to engage in English, they've freaked out and disappeared.
I once asked a stranger for help on a train in Belgium when I was just learning Dutch and my pronunciation was atrocious. Even though it was perfectly obvious that I was a beginner, she responded in Dutch and when she could see I was having trouble, asked, in Dutch, "Would you prefer I answer in Dutch, English, or...?". So that is the polite way to handle it. If you're engaging with someone in the language of the country you're in and you can understand them just fine, leave it alone. If they are clearly struggling, and you want to move things along or be helpful, ask what language they speak and offer to speak in that language. A beginner in a language will generally know how to say where they're from and what languages they speak.
So what is happening here?
Is anyone with me on this? If so, how do you deal with it?
I'm kidding... most likely they're just trying to be accommodating or showing off their English skills. Maybe they're hoping you'll speak to them in English so they may practice a bit. Who knows? Certainly nothing to take personally, though. I think the most surprising thing out of your conversation with the waiter was the fact he said "you're welcome." 
