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-   -   English only taken to new height of stupidity (http://cellar.org/showthread.php?t=21261)

SamIam 10-26-2009 10:36 AM
English only taken to new height of stupidity
 
Northern New Mexico has a long and proud Hispanic tradition. The area was settled by Spain and Mexico some 200 years before New Mexico was annexed to the US. In recent years Taos has also become a New Age hide-out. Hotel owner Larry Whitten made a fool of himself through his ignorance of the area’s history and traditions.

Quote:
TAOS, N.M. – Larry Whitten marched into this northern New Mexico town in late July on a mission: resurrect a failing hotel.
The tough-talking former Marine immediately laid down some new rules. Among them, he forbade the Hispanic workers at the run-down, Southwestern adobe-style hotel from speaking Spanish in his presence (he thought they'd be talking about him), and ordered some to Anglicize their names.
No more Martin (Mahr-TEEN). It was plain-old Martin. No more Marcos. Now it would be Mark.
More at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091026/...rouble_in_taos

Cloud 10-26-2009 11:42 AM
that's pretty stupid, all right. rude, disrespectful, and idiotic, to boot.

Flint 10-26-2009 12:32 PM
Dallas police ticketed 39 drivers in 3 years for not speaking English (!!!)
Quote:
The case that led to the discovery of all the others occurred Oct. 2, when Ernestina Mondragon was stopped for making an illegal U-turn in the White Rock area. Rookie Officer Gary Bromley cited Mondragon for three violations: disregarding a traffic control device, failure to present a driver's license and "non-English speaking driver."

In that case and perhaps the others, officials said, the officer was confused by a pull-down menu on his in-car computer that listed the charge as an option. But the law the computer referred to is a federal statute regarding commercial drivers that Kunkle said his department does not enforce.

TheMercenary 10-26-2009 01:59 PM
The military has always had policies of speaking in any other language but English in the work place. It has it's place at work.

SamIam 10-26-2009 02:05 PM
I can see English only in the military work place. However, I think its way out of line in a place like Taos where Spanish is the heritage of so many residents, going back to long before New Mexico became part of the US. :eyebrow:

Flint 10-26-2009 02:13 PM
And yet, it is certainly our right to make unpopular decisions when owning and running a business. If the idea was not a good one, the result will be reflected in the success or failure of the business. As mentioned in the article, this guy had a successful track record and understandably believed that you stick with what works.

Cloud 10-26-2009 02:45 PM
I don't mind so much the speaking English at work thing; but forcing people to Anglicize their names is unconscionable in this day and age.

Trilby 10-26-2009 02:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cloud (Post 603421)
I don't mind so much the speaking English at work thing; but forcing people to Anglicize their names is unconscionable in this day and age.

right on. My name is Claudette for cryin' out loud!

monster 10-26-2009 02:58 PM
From now on we will call you Mary.

SamIam 10-26-2009 06:35 PM
I also think that a place's heritage and cultural background are part of what makes it an interesting place to visit. If you want things all the same, stay home and go to the mall.

Flint 10-26-2009 06:45 PM
Oh, I agree. And when you own a hotel, you can run it that way. I'd prefer your hotel, definitely.

capnhowdy 10-26-2009 06:53 PM
Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.

SamIam 10-26-2009 06:56 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flint (Post 603474)
Oh, I agree. And when you own a hotel, you can run it that way. I'd prefer your hotel, definitely.
Who me? I don't see any problem with allowing fellow native speakers to speak in their own tongue. In a U.S. hotel, they should speak English to the English speaking guests. Big deal. If you don't want to come to my hypothetical hotel, stay away. I doubt that we'd miss you. :p

Flint 10-26-2009 09:04 PM
What? I said I agreed with you and I would prefer your hotel.

jinx 10-26-2009 09:09 PM
Yeah, but you said it in english. Asshole.

Flint 10-26-2009 09:15 PM
Arsehole.

monster 10-26-2009 09:19 PM
that's what I thought....

Cloud 10-26-2009 09:19 PM
culo!

SamIam 10-26-2009 10:08 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flint (Post 603541)
What? I said I agreed with you and I would prefer your hotel.
Excuse me. I thought you were being sarcastic.

Flint 10-26-2009 10:21 PM
No problem. Seems like this should be part of an internet rule somehow.

capnhowdy 10-27-2009 07:10 AM
Internet rule#2084.23:
If you can't find an argument, create one.

xoxoxoBruce 10-27-2009 11:54 AM
I think this guy is screwing himself with this tact/behavior, but I firmly believe he has the right to run his (he paid $2million for it) hotel the way he wants. For the people that worked there before he bought it, change is always difficult. But, it's his show, and he can make everyone dress like oompa loompas if he wants.

SamIam 10-27-2009 12:24 PM
How do oompa loompas dress? :eek:

Shawnee123 10-27-2009 12:25 PM
Give me 2 mill, and I'll show you. ;)

Cloud 10-27-2009 12:35 PM
but he certainly can't make people change their names; not legally anyway. I guess he can call them all "Joe" because he can't pronounce Jose -- but he has to issue their paychecks in their legal names.

I think it's a stupid move to alienate your workers, but whateva.

xoxoxoBruce 10-27-2009 12:43 PM
1 Attachment(s)
Right, their paychecks must say Jose, but I doubt if Walt Disney wants the guy in the Mickey Mouse suit saying, "Hello, my name is Jose". :haha:

Sam, these are Oompa loompas.

Shawnee123 10-27-2009 12:46 PM
Miguel Mouse

Clodfobble 10-27-2009 01:29 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cloud
but he certainly can't make people change their names; not legally anyway. I guess he can call them all "Joe" because he can't pronounce Jose -- but he has to issue their paychecks in their legal names.

I think it's a stupid move to alienate your workers, but whateva
It's not because he can't pronounce Jose, it's because the Midwesterner on vacation in his hotel can't pronounce Jose. He's trying to avoid alienating the customer, so they will have a more pleasant (if bland) experience. It's no different than a customer service rep in India trying to convince me that his name is Steve.

regular.joe 10-27-2009 02:24 PM
My initial thought is, I guess we don't have a long enough heritage of speaking English on the job here in the Unites States. Is that what this is about?

Cicero 10-27-2009 10:22 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SamIam (Post 603370)
Northern New Mexico has a long and proud Hispanic tradition. The area was settled by Spain and Mexico some 200 years before New Mexico was annexed to the US. In recent years Taos has also become a New Age hide-out. Hotel owner Larry Whitten made a fool of himself through his ignorance of the area’s history and traditions.



More at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091026/...rouble_in_taos
New Mexico hasn't been a US state for very long..........:)


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