Do You Speak Spanish?

So I was in work the other day, when a lady addressed me in an unusual way. I said "Hello," and introduced myself as I do with all our consumers. She responded in Spanish, and asked "Do you speak Spanish?" I answered in English, "Yes." The conversation was very unusual because I do understand Spanish, but I can not talk eloquently or efficiently in Spanish. During our conversation, I chose to respond to this lady in English while she chose to speak to me in Spanish. When the conversation was near the end, she noticed I had not spoken any Spanish, yet I answered all of her questions. She looked at me quizzically, and then asked in English, "If you speak Spanish, then why you no speak Spanish?" I simply replied that I was sorry, but I could explain things to her easier in English. She nodded then thanked me, in Spanish, then left the store. I couldn't help but smirk knowing that she understood everything I said to her IN ENGLISH!!!

So why did I speak English to her? Two reasons; number one, this is The United States of America, and we speak English. Number two, I do not speak Spanish, I understand Spanish, and so I can not talk to you in Spanish. Did I lie to the lady? Yes, I did because I was not fully honest with her. I told her I spoke Spanish, and I do not. I do understand Spanish, but that's not the same.

Why should I speak a foreign language in my home country? Let's think about this for a minute. In America, you either speak English or you are not a citizen. If you are not a citizen, you are visiting my country. If you are going to visit a country and you do not speak the native tongue, you either learn prior to going or you bring a dictionary that helps you to interpret the language spoken in the land you are traveling to. If I was to go to Germany, I would know German. Sprechen Sie Deutsch (Do you speak German)? Ich spreche nur ein bisschen Deutsch (I only speak a little German). But I do not speak enough to get by unless I have a German to English Dictionary.

So what is my point? Why do I have to learn your language if you are in my country? Why do you expect me to speak your language? This is the USA. We speak English, and if you are here, then so should you. Do not expect us to accommodate you, the world does not revolve around you, and therefore you should not expect accommodations just because you breathe. This goes for Americans too. When you travel abroad, you need to know the language of the land. NEVER expect people to accommodate you. Always be gracious and accommodate those who you visit. Think about it this way; when you visit your friends and they have different rules, you accommodate the rules your friend has for their house out of respect. I have a friend who wants all shoes taken off at the door, so I take my shoes off when I enter their house. I don't care about shoes at my house as long as you're not tracking mud in my house. Another person's country is their house, so follow their rules.

Welcome to American, please speak English.