I ran across something yesterday that surprised me. I should have thought of it but hadn’t until a lovely Mexican employee at a shop I frequent told me about it. She can’t speak Spanish. No sin. Her parents were probably born here or they entered the United States legally. They wanted to give their children a good life. The did what a lot of immigrants do – they adapted the culture of the country they lived in. They’re not ashamed to be Mexican but they didn’t want their children to suffer because they couldn’t speak English. When I told her that lately I go places and I can’t understand a word being said. I haven’t left town or the U.S., I’m in a local shop, but I’m the one who can’t understand a word being said. She said she thought it was rude. I agree with her. But one thing she said that really stood out, that she has Mexican customers who automatically speak Spanish to her assuming that she speaks it (don’t forget most companies only hire those who are bi-lingual in my state).

I’ve even had others who have told me that to solve the problem of my lack of understanding others, I should learn to speak Spanish. I don’t think so. I have had three years of Spanish in school. I can understand a lot of it. And if I go down to Mexico on vacation, I do use it. I won’t to make myself heard in this country.

I feel badly for those who are Mexican and are treated differently because Spanish isn’t their 1st language. They consider themselves Americans and many are citizens. They don’t deny their culture, they embrace it but first and foremost, they embrace the United States.

Another friend with the same problem pointed out a shirt she bought on-line recently. She said she wears it occasionally. Those who speak English assume she’s saying she doesn’t speak English. Those who speak Spanish realize she doesn’t speak Spanish.