English only taken to new height of stupidity

SamIam · 10-26-2009, 10:36 AM

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.

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

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

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.

10-26-2009, 11:42 AM	#2
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	that's pretty stupid, all right. rude, disrespectful, and idiotic, to boot. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-26-2009, 01:59 PM	#4
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	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. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

10-26-2009, 02:13 PM	#6
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	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. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

10-26-2009, 02:45 PM	#7
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	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. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-26-2009, 02:58 PM	#9
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	From now on we will call you Mary. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-26-2009, 02:05 PM	#5
SamIam Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 2,655	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.

10-26-2009, 06:35 PM	#10
SamIam Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 2,655	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.

10-26-2009, 06:45 PM	#11
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Oh, I agree. And when you own a hotel, you can run it that way. I'd prefer your hotel, definitely. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

10-26-2009, 06:53 PM	#12
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

10-26-2009, 09:04 PM	#14
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	What? I said I agreed with you and I would prefer your hotel. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

10-26-2009, 09:09 PM	#15
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	Yeah, but you said it in english. Asshole. __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

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