"This is Merica, why don't learn english?"

[spyder]

Shit, if I had to learn American so should everybody else!

At least Aussie's get it... lol

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

That's because most Americans are arrogant assholes who think the world revolves around them. I went to France in October. I know a little French. Can't speak but can read and know what things are. So I would just smile and point to things. People will see that and are more willing to speak English as you are not disrespecting them.

Exactly. I had a hispanic (born here, parents from Central America- legal!) and they got all bent out of shape: "Your refusal to learn Spanish to adapt to the changing culture in America is just an example of extreme laziness." No, I simply don't want to learn Spanish. I do not like the language, it's not a language I have any interest in learning. I know English, I made an attempt (and will continue in the future) to learn German because it's a language I'm interested in. I took the time to learn important words and phrases in pashtu and dari because my job in the Army depended on it. Nothing here depends on me learning Spanish right now, so I choose not to. I still have the right to choose, don't I?

This is where I'm at as well (sort of disagree on arrogant a-holes, though). I went to France in September and prior to that I spent over a year studying it through various methods. I can speak and read a little. Certainly enough to get by, and it was actually a lot of fun practicing in Provence. I am still working on it as it is fun and I'm getting better and hope to go back soon.
Laziness? Yeah. I spent my free time learning a language for a vacation. It just isn't the one YOU want me to learn. You [illegals] are moving to a country that speaks a different language and *I* am lazy for not accomodating by trying to learn Spanish? OK...



Here's the "truth hurts and I'll probably be called a racist" section: When I was in HS, I took 3 years of Spanish. I didn't care for it and cannot speak a word today. Our German teacher taught several other classes, but basically told all of us Spanish takers how dumb we were in a candid moment. His point: "Do you want to speak to those in power and with money, or do you want to speak with the masses, the [fill in your perjorative] Spanish speakers? What you all should be doing is taking German and Japanese or some sort of Scandinavian or Russian and/or Chinese." It was like a revelation (>20 years ago) and I never signed up for Spanish again. Could barely study it after that.

I guess that's the thought I'd give back to the OP as the retort to smart-ass grandma? No offense, but what exactly is this kid saying that I'm going to ever GAF about?
Yeah, Spanish speakers have massive buying power collectively, but if I need something for my own life, well.....[shrug]

[speedysst]

Ek probeer Afrikaans leer!

[centrarchidae]

?Estan listas, clase? Escuchen...Juan es muy guapo. ?Donde esta la biblioteca? Senor Beavis, ?donde esta tu hall pass?

[ZERO THEORY]

Nothing irks me more than having people come and ask, "Espanol?" and then copping an attitude when I say no. I don't owe it to you to speak a foreign language in my country. My mother speaks three languages, and my father some six or seven, I believe (African immigrant). I never bothered to learn any additional languages and that was my prerogative. If you want my service and cooperation, it's your prerogative to learn the spoken language of this land.

I can't just march down to San Salvador and start getting irate or rude because no one there speaks English; why do they assume it's owed to them the other way around?

[jerrymrc]

Ek probeer Afrikaans leer!

So the next time I fire up the Braai and put on some homemade Boerewors I need to call ya.