Quoting Man. Bear. Pig.:" I do agree with this. You dont go to France and see things in English. lol"

In a lot of places in France you do though.

Quoting Jas ♥:" French is their official language though. To my knowledge, America does not have an official language. English is just the main language spoken but nothing is official."

Hmmm I think I've heard that too. I think it's the unofficial language, but the most common one.

I think everyone should learn English if they are going to be here. I wouldn't move to Pakistan and expect them to understand me.

Quoting Jas ♥:" French is their official language though. To my knowledge, America does not have an official language. English is just the main language spoken but nothing is official."

You are correct, ma'am.

http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION_ID=1&CMD=VIEW_ARTICLE&ARTICLE_ID=10629

Quoting Man. Bear. Pig.:" This is true. I have heard this. What about people who have lived here 10 years or more and still cant understand or speak well? My 18 year old daughter's grandmother is this way."

I think its a case by case basis. I only say that because my children's great grandmother doesn't speak perfect English but you can carry a conversation with her. You may get a little confused because her accent is thick but she understands what I say to her, for the most part. She knows enough to get by.

If they're not making an effort, that's an issue.

Quoting Jas ♥:" I think its a case by case basis. I only say that because my children's great grandmother doesn't speak ... [snip!] ... what I say to her, for the most part. She knows enough to get by. If they're not making an effort, that's an issue."

There's 2 hispanic ladies at my work (small office). Both speak perfect English, yet they yell across the room to each other in Spanish all day. This annoys me. lol

Quoting Jas ♥:" French is their official language though. To my knowledge, America does not have an official language. English is just the main language spoken but nothing is official."

Nope, we don't Some States have made English the official language, but on a Federal level, we don't have one.


But I would think as a Business owner you'd want the majority of people to understand your products and prices, so you would learn the local language.

It also depends on what country you visit. I'm sure majority of the regulars know that I use to live in Germany. Germany is a bit of a melting pot, there are people there from all over the world who speak different languages. Besides German, English is a widely spoken and learned language in GE.

Quoting Crystal Marie S.:" Nope, we don't Some States have made English the official language, but on a Federal level, we don't ... [snip!] ... Business owner you'd want the majority of people to understand your products and prices, so you would learn the local language."

Of course. Whenever I go to a different country, I make an effort to learn their language. At least the basics. They appreciate me trying even though I sound like an idiot sometimes  .

I think having signs in a different language are ok, to an extent. In important places like hospitals, etc. But I can go to the south side of my city, and cannot find a single place that speaks English. There are no signs in English. That's getting a little ridiculous.

Quoting Man. Bear. Pig.:" There's 2 hispanic ladies at my work (small office). Both speak perfect English, yet they yell across the room to each other in Spanish all day. This annoys me. lol"

I really really hate that  

Quoting Can.:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Man. Bear. Pig.:</b>" I do agree with this. You dont go to ... [snip!] ... and want to change something there country does all because we don't agree with it they wouldn't change it to make us happy."

I'm not being a bitch with this, I swear, but you're not able to spell properly yourself. You used there instead of their and spelled countries as "countrys." You, as someone I'd assume has been speaking and writing English for your entire life, make mistakes. English is a difficult and complex language to learn - the only language I'd consider more difficult is Arabic - and it takes time to learn, especially for older people who aren't able to learn languages as easily as children.
Most people who come here likely to know the basics. When you're in a specialty store, asking for directions, or calling a company/office for important information, it's a bit different and there's no need to risk miscommunication (especially if you're, say, calling your doctor or bank).
I think a lot of Americans would do well to visit other countries, honestly. Most of them WILL go out of their way to help you and many of them also speak English. I've had an easier time getting around Bahrain and Italy than most foreigners do in this country.

Quoting Mama to William + 1:" I'm not being a bitch with this, I swear, but you're not able to spell properly yourself. You used there ... [snip!] ... of them also speak English. I've had an easier time getting around Bahrain and Italy than most foreigners do in this country."

I agree. Americans are...rude and impatient. For the most part. I have yet to visit a country where their people weren't helpful to me.

Quoting Jas ♥:" I agree. Americans are...rude and impatient. For the most part. I have yet to visit a country where their people weren't helpful to me."

They can be really awful and it's something I find a little embarrassing (not saying anyone in this thread was, just a general statement). Waiting .2 seconds to press 1 for English and seeing directions written in more than one language isn't going to kill anyone and in no way takes away from anyone else just speaking English. I can understand being annoyed by, say, being with three people who you know can speak English but choose not to even while you're there, but that has nothing to do with the language and everything to do with the fact that sometimes other people are rude or inconsiderate.
I'd consider myself fairly well traveled and it's only in America that I've seen this behavior (well, other than Quebec, but I'm inclined to believe that instance was more related to the people being smurfs than anything). Everywhere else people have always tried to be helpful and inclusive.

I just feel like I have to say this in here

i was at the dental ER today and I had two beautiful blonde russian girls attending to me

It was like a scene out of a bad porn

But the entire time they were working on me, they were speaking russian to each other and laughing and it made me a bit uncomfortable.

I wish that, in a work place or professional setting, english would be spoken, unless the patient or customer spoke a different language

I thought it was very rude (even though they were both totally do-able)