I'm trying to weigh my options on a work-related situation. As a contracted I initially trained the two contracted people I work with.

Lately my comfort zone as a worker/trainer is on shakey ground with the two of them.

Considering one of the two of them likes to keep drama going on in the work place (when she speaks english). I find that their constantly not speaking english in an english speaking work place irritating and a covert display rudeness. (I'm sure they are aware that they are leaving me out of the loop.)

We (contrated workers) work doing customer oriented sales promotions with stats involved. Sometimes the two of them converse in their 1st language and share their totals which makes the final count un-even regarding my totals.

I'm reluctant to say anything to either of them. I just found out there is a segment in the company's orientation film that highlights this issue of speaking non-english in the work place. Only thing is my group has been contracted in and these two have not been shown the orientation film.

How would you handle this issue?

1. Go to the direct supervisor of the contrated employees?

2. Speak to the two converse in non-english?

3. Ignore the situation?

Is English your native tongue? Because I hardly understood any of that.

Seems pretty cut and dried if their talking in Spanish is directly affecting your work (since you say your totals are incorrect as a result). And further, if the company already has a policy in place and stated explicity in a training video, then all you have to do is convey that policy to them.

I would tell them if they're discussing something work-related, do it in English so you can take part. And tell them to please only have personal, nonwork discussions in Spanish. Even if it's drama stuff, who cares? Better to have it in a language where you don't have to hear or worry about it.

We had a siilar problem where I used to work, various members of staff would talk to each other in a different language, which tbh other people didnt mind. It was stopped when a member of staff from another department walked passed and over heard one of their convos (and could understand it) and reported the subject matter to management. After that the rule was only English was allowed to be spoken in the work place.

Any time that English (in this case, applies to any language) speaking folk choose to speak to each other in another language in a social/work situation where another is out of the loop, and they are not doing so to help out someone who does not speak English (at all, like not enough to get by)...it's not just rude...it's fuckin rude as hell.

It may be silly, but it often sets off folks' radars (understandibly IMO) and I equate it to little kids putting their hands to the other's ears to whisper secrets while looking at you to be sure you can't hear. This might not be what is happening, but it is what it feels like when out of the loop...so why consciously do that to another person?

My favorite is when folk don't realize I speak fluent Spanish (my accent creeps out now and then but isn't obvious) and I catch them saying something about someone else in the group or myself. It's always a pleasure to make a comment to them in Spanish.

These rude ass heffas (male or female) need to see your company's video bien pronto!

Well show them the video son!

paisleypark4 said:

I believe it is. U shoudl do the right thing and just have a simple talk with the both of them about the subject matter.

You should talk to both of them. If it continues then get the supervisor involved. A my job, many of my co-workers speak spanish(to gossip mostly). They get suprised when I reply to whatever they are talking about. I took spanish, italian in school/college and I am fluent in Portugese.

johnart said:

Any time that English (in this case, applies to any language) speaking folk choose to speak to each other in another language in a social/work situation where another is out of the loop, and they are not doing so to help out someone who does not speak English (at all, like not enough to get by)...it's not just rude...it's fuckin rude as hell.

It may be silly, but it often sets off folks' radars (understandibly IMO) and I equate it to little kids putting their hands to the other's ears to whisper secrets while looking at you to be sure you can't hear. This might not be what is happening, but it is what it feels like when out of the loop...so why consciously do that to another person?

My favorite is when folk don't realize I speak fluent Spanish (my accent creeps out now and then but isn't obvious) and I catch them saying something about someone else in the group or myself. It's always a pleasure to make a comment to them in Spanish.

These rude ass heffas (male or female) need to see your company's video bien pronto!

This used to happen to me quite frequently when I worked with people from several different countries. I would always call them on it and say, "You know, it is considered quite rude to speak a foreign language when you know others cannot understand you. You could be calling me a horse's ass!"

free2bfreeda said:

I'm trying to weigh my options on a work-related situation. As a contracted I initially trained the two contracted people I work with.

Lately my comfort zone as a worker/trainer is on shakey ground with the two of them.

Considering one of the two of them likes to keep drama going on in the work place (when she speaks english). I find that their constantly not speaking english in an english speaking work place irritating and a covert display rudeness. (I'm sure they are aware that they are leaving me out of the loop.)

We (contrated workers) work doing customer oriented sales promotions with stats involved. Sometimes the two of them converse in their 1st language and share their totals which makes the final count un-even regarding my totals.

I'm reluctant to say anything to either of them. I just found out there is a segment in the company's orientation film that highlights this issue of speaking non-english in the work place. Only thing is my group has been contracted in and these two have not been shown the orientation film.

How would you handle this issue?

1. Go to the direct supervisor of the contrated employees?

2. Speak to the two converse in non-english?

3. Ignore the situation?

Take the initiative and show them them the orientation film before you take this any further. And yes it is rude that they are doing this, and stupid of them if it is having an impact on business.

Shyra said:

johnart said:

Any time that English (in this case, applies to any language) speaking folk choose to speak to each other in another language in a social/work situation where another is out of the loop, and they are not doing so to help out someone who does not speak English (at all, like not enough to get by)...it's not just rude...it's fuckin rude as hell.

It may be silly, but it often sets off folks' radars (understandibly IMO) and I equate it to little kids putting their hands to the other's ears to whisper secrets while looking at you to be sure you can't hear. This might not be what is happening, but it is what it feels like when out of the loop...so why consciously do that to another person?

My favorite is when folk don't realize I speak fluent Spanish (my accent creeps out now and then but isn't obvious) and I catch them saying something about someone else in the group or myself. It's always a pleasure to make a comment to them in Spanish.

These rude ass heffas (male or female) need to see your company's video bien pronto!

This used to happen to me quite frequently when I worked with people from several different countries. I would always call them on it and say, "You know, it is considered quite rude to speak a foreign language when you know others cannot understand you. You could be calling me a horse's ass!"

Folk like to argue all sorts of cultural reasons for doing this shit and because of PC and people tip-toeing around "sensitive" issues often get away with it. It's just rude and wrong.

What folk do in their own home is their business (though when we have Spanish speaking friends stay with us and Ron is the only one out of the loop we speak in English when he's in the room), but if you've been hired to work in an English speaking enviroment chances are you can (or should) at least be able to get by (at least to the extent of what is required for the position you're filling. There is no excuse.

not really rude, me and my sister speak italian all the time at work.

we just choose not 2 speak english sometimes and it keeps people guessin lol

Santo Cielo piagnucolones

Imayte said:

not really rude, me and my sister speak italian all the time at work.

we just choose not 2 speak english sometimes and it keeps people guessin lol

Santo Cielo piagnucolones

That's exactly what makes it rude and inappropriate (not cute) for the workplace.

johnart said:

Imayte said:

not really rude, me and my sister speak italian all the time at work.

we just choose not 2 speak english sometimes and it keeps people guessin lol

Santo Cielo piagnucolones

That's exactly what makes it rude and inappropriate (not cute) for the workplace.

whatever. why get butthurt over it.?

ever heard of sticks and stones?

Imayte said:

johnart said:

That's exactly what makes it rude and inappropriate (not cute) for the workplace.

whatever. why get butthurt over it.?

ever heard of sticks and stones?

Like O.M.G. ever hear of basic courtesy towards co-workers?

If it's amusing to y'all that it "keeps folks guessing" that says a lot.

[Edited 5/2/11 14:16pm]

johnart said:

Imayte said:

not really rude, me and my sister speak italian all the time at work.

we just choose not 2 speak english sometimes and it keeps people guessin lol

Santo Cielo piagnucolones

That's exactly what makes it rude and inappropriate (not cute) for the workplace.

It is rude in any setting, not just in the workplace.

johnart said:

Imayte said:

whatever. why get butthurt over it.?

ever heard of sticks and stones?

Like O.M.G. it's not being "butthurt" it's like basic manners and courtesy towards fellow co-workers.

OH MY GAWD well then like, tell your boss and stop crying like a lil bitch about it!

Imayte said:

johnart said:

Like O.M.G. it's not being "butthurt" it's like basic manners and courtesy towards fellow co-workers.

OH MY GAWD well then like, tell your boss and stop crying like a lil bitch about it!

OH. MAH. GAH! Like, if I had one, I totally would.

Kind of depends on the situation, I think

Sometimes it seems exclusive, but I have co-workers who also use it as a bonding thing. They are not chatting about personal stuff, and don't share an office so they rarely work together, but when they see each other they speak Mandarin. I have never suspected that they are saying what an idiot I am right in front of my face.

I think they don't often get the opportunity to speak the language, and they take advantage of the home comfort it provides for a minute.

But if you share an office with two people and they constantly speak another language to each other, it might feel a little like I'm not part of the group, and it would bug me.

johnart said:

Imayte said:

OH MY GAWD well then like, tell your boss and stop crying like a lil bitch about it!

OH. MAH. GAH! Like, if I had one, I totally would.

no need 4 the valley accent, you sound hella stupid!

i dont talk like that, you never heard my voice

Imayte said:

johnart said:

OH. MAH. GAH! Like, if I had one, I totally would.

no need 4 the valley accent, you sound hella stupid!

i dont talk like that, you never heard my voice

My bad, I'd hate to sound stupid (AND like a lil' bitch) during a mature exchange.

In all fairness, I somehow missed that you were having a mature discussion when you used "butthurt" to describe folk who might feel unnecessarily out of the loop in a work environment.

[Edited 5/2/11 14:52pm]

johnart said:

Imayte said:

no need 4 the valley accent, you sound hella stupid!

i dont talk like that, you never heard my voice

My bad, I'd hate to sound stupid (AND like a lil' bitch) during a mature exchange.

In all fairness, I somehow missed that you were having a mature discussion when you used "butthurt" to describe folk who might feel unnecessarily out of the loop in a work environment.

[Edited 5/2/11 14:52pm]

i call it as i see it. if someone was to have a problem with people talking in a language

that they choose to speak you kindly ask them to stop. no need to go on the internet and complain

When I'm at school or work, I speak english. No question.

I only speak french/spanish with my friends who feel most comfortable with it, and Arabic with my family when need be.

All outside the work/school setting. Unless of course it's someting private I don't want others to know about. But all the time? That is rude and not respectful to others. It makes them feel excluded and uncomfortable.

no , it's not

it would be weird if they spoke english to each other

[Edited 5/2/11 15:44pm]

Imayte said:

johnart said:

My bad, I'd hate to sound stupid (AND like a lil' bitch) during a mature exchange.

In all fairness, I somehow missed that you were having a mature discussion when you used "butthurt" to describe folk who might feel unnecessarily out of the loop in a work environment.

[Edited 5/2/11 14:52pm]

i call it as i see it. if someone was to have a problem with people talking in a language

that they choose to speak you kindly ask them to stop. no need to go on the internet and complain

As do I. And that's where the valley girl reference came from. Not that you would literally sound that way, but words like butthurt and lil' bitch (in the context of what the OP asked) and talking in the workplace to get folk wondering...juvenile IMO.

I didn't think the OP was complaining so much as asking a question.

johnart said:

Imayte said:

i call it as i see it. if someone was to have a problem with people talking in a language

that they choose to speak you kindly ask them to stop. no need to go on the internet and complain

As do I. And that's where the valley girl reference came from. Not that you would literally sound that way, but words like butthurt and lil' bitch (in the context of what the OP asked) and talking in the workplace to get folk wondering...juvenile IMO.

I didn't think the OP was complaining so much as asking a question.

And I agree that it is rude, in the workplace or otherwise. I was on a bus once and two Mexican women were speaking English but would switch in the middle of the conversation to speak Spanish. They did it to talk about people on the bus. I guess they assumed black people don't know Spanish. I understood every word.

The mexicans in my family especially speak spanish JUST to talk gossip. It's like an excuse to not whisper but that doesn't mean it's about anyone in the room.

I'm a actually guilty of speaking spanish whenever I'm approached by some annoying bruddahoe. Yeah they back off easily. except for those white dudes who like it.

Maytiana said:

The mexicans in my family especially speak spanish JUST to talk gossip. It's like an excuse to not whisper but that doesn't mean it's about anyone in the room.

I'm a actually guilty of speaking spanish whenever I'm approached by some annoying bruddahoe. Yeah they back off easily. except for those white dudes who like it.

ilove spanish its almost like italian<3

i know a little espanol but not alot...

they are excluding you and yes it's rude plus esp if you hear your name mentioned!!!!!!

I don't see a problem with it. You'd hear all kind of different languages at my old job. As long as the work gets done, why get all butthurt over it?