Press 1 for English

John Wayne - Press 1 for English
@emeraldisle (13139)
United States
March 31, 2007 6:53pm CST
I got this image in my email and I loved it. I thought it really showed how things are right now. I cannot understand why here in the USA we have to press 1 for English. It should be the language spoken. It would be nice if the Government would declare it that way and that would solve a lot of problems. In the mean time though we have to deal with phone systems, billboards, commercials and many other things in our life where we have to tell them what language to use. It shouldn't be that way in my opinion. We should have one default language, whatever it may be but decide already and go with it.
13 people like this
30 responses
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
1 Apr 07
I couldn't agree with you more. I remember walking into bank and asking for bank rep to give me a call. Just because of my name (not even close to Spanish), rep returned my call in Spanish. I don't speak or understand Spanish. I was very mad. Yes, I want all in English only. We habla everything in this country.
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
1 Apr 07
OMG I think I would have lost it if someone did that to me. I probably would have ripped into them if they called and did that. Makes you wonder what they are thinking about.
3 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
1 Apr 07
They just apologized...supervisor said that my name sounds similar to Spanish name...
3 people like this
@krayzee (1160)
• Romania
2 Apr 07
I don't think you should have been that mad. Aftre all the man wanted to do you a service not to offend you. I mean I can understand why it might be annoying but it didn't mean any harm.
@raydene (9871)
• United States
1 Apr 07
It is annoying on the phone but I think the what you speak...is such a small part of it...I just hate the pushing button after button to get a human on the line.As for the different languages it doesn't bother me at all.I come from so many different cultures and my mother spoke 2 languages and my dad many.I was not allowed to speak any language at home but english because my father's mother felt strongly about us acting like Americans ...but I got cheated..I could be fluently speaking 5 languages.Amera has been built on the sweat and tears of many people .I hope I haven't offended you,Emerald...just my thoughts. Cheers
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
1 Apr 07
Takes more then that to offend me :) I agree that this country has been built by people from all over. I just think as a nation we should have one language as our default one. We teach English in the schools from day one so that should be our default language. If we taught Spanish from day one then fine that would work too or what have you. Just pick one you know so that way we know what we are doing.
3 people like this
• United States
1 Apr 07
I agree, Emerald, one language. And I vote for English because many other languages do not have words for the technological advances we are achieving. I frequently interview non-English speaking clients through an interpreter and the conversation goes something like this: (Yadayada being the foreign language) "Yada yada yada yada EBT card. Yada yada yada yada computer prompt. Yada yada yada yada yada food stamps." The conversation is much the same when my brother speaks to his wife who is Colombian, although she had taken the time to learn English, she is still more comfortable speaking Spanish. He speaks in Spanish but has to switch to English for anything relating to the computers and the internet.
3 people like this
• Thailand
1 Apr 07
in my opinion, I think US has got a diverse culture though. I think it's still good to provide several languages so everyone can participate in the same service though.
3 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
1 Apr 07
I agree adn I have wondered why we have to do that in our country as well. I hate those automated messages anyway. I just want to speak to a real person and in English and I wish they would just stop wasting my time with puching numbers. LOL
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
1 Apr 07
I know I prefer to talk to a person not a machine. If I'm going to bother to call someone then please have someone there. I have to admit I lost it though in the movie "Demolotion Man" when the tech answered the phone and stated "If you prefer an automated message press 1 now". I thought that was different.
2 people like this
@saralee1 (1983)
• United States
1 Apr 07
This is really a good subject! there was a play at the University I really wanted to see, the add was in English, but in small print it said, "read in Spanish by request" ARGH! Ok, it gets worse, a temp job I was doing, the supervisor would only speak Spanish, not English... made the job impossible. I thought I lived in America where English was the official language. EGAD.
@krayzee (1160)
• Romania
2 Apr 07
Excuse me but I don't get it. Why exactly did the fact that the play could be read in another language if needed offended you?
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
1 Apr 07
I find it very frustrating every time I try to call a company and I get Press 1 for English.If I was in another country then I would make the effort to learn that countries language. Why should a country modify its language to suit someone elses needs. Thats not even touching on the subject of how much extra it costs to have to do things very multiple languages. We have to pay for people to be taught English. They should have learned it before they came here.
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
1 Apr 07
What gets me is when I use the debit/atm machines. I have to tell it as well. Every time I turn around I seem to have to say I speak English. I could not imagine moving to another country to live and not know at least some basics of the language. I would have to be the one to modify not them for me. It's just how it should be. It's called being polite at least in my opinion.
3 people like this
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
1 Apr 07
My point is that it costs extra to have to do everything in several different languages. Who do you think covers the cost?Money could be saved it one language was used for everyone.Pick the language and require everyone to use it. I am all for people speaking different languages but what I am saying is if I were to go to another country then I should make every effort to learn their language before I go. I shouldn't assume that everyone else is going to learn my language for me.
3 people like this
@RebeccaLynn (2256)
• United States
1 Apr 07
I have wondered about that too. If I moved to France the citizens would expect me to speak french. If I moved to Mexico I would be expected to speak spanish. So why do people move to the U.S. and expect everyone to learn their language? I know this is the melting pot but things have gotten ridiculous! If you're going to live here, for decency sake, LEARN ENGLISH!
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
1 Apr 07
I agree :) It would be nice though if the US would state once and for all that it is our language. Until that happens we'll have problems. I agree though if I went to another country I'd be expected to learn their ways not the other way around.
2 people like this
• United States
6 Apr 07
hey krayzee - there is a difference between a Visit and Moving In for Permanent Residence. Yes, its nice that your Non-english country makes that available but if I moved to a country that does not speak English then if I want to actually TALK to more than a few people I have to Learn the Language I'm not going to expect that everyone in the neighborhood that I choose would learn English to accommodate me.
1 person likes this
@krayzee (1160)
• Romania
2 Apr 07
Well you are a bit wrong here. I've been to quite a number of countries and they were OK if you only spoke English not their language. I've actually been to France and I didn't see anyone bothered by the fact that I spoke English. In my country included you would be OK speaking English and we also have the option Press 2 for English even though my country is not related to English language in any way. it had never bothered me to tell the truth.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Apr 07
hehehe. I like that. I agree with you to! I mean COME ON! I believe in a multi-cultural country but pick a language and stick with it - on a business level. If you want to still learn what ever language - fine but you should at least know English.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Apr 07
I agree with you on both points.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Exactly have one official language. the rest is individual choice but for business, learning etc it should be one official language. We do that and it would solve a lot of problems. Probably save a lot of money too.
• United States
1 Apr 07
I think if the people that come to this country want to be here because it is a great country to live in, then they should make the effort to learn the language, which is English. They can keep their heritage and culture alive in their homes, in their friend/family circles, in their cultural stores, in their cultural specific places of worship, but it is a privelege to live and work in the U.S. -- if they want to retain their own countries rights, then they should not come here in the 1st place. One day the U.S. will become like all other countries that people are trying to get out off because it has been ruined by all those that do not respect where they are now living ~ and Americans are to blame as well for letting it all happen. Is that outspoken enough for you! lol
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
1 Apr 07
Yeah I'd say that's outspoken :) I can keep my heritage alive and well in my house and with my family. I don't need to force it upon others. I agree if you come here then you should adapt for here just like I would if I went over to another country. It's just how it should be.
• United States
1 Apr 07
LOl you caught me on an outspoken roll! lol I've had a real PMS weekend here! hahaha But, it is how I feel -- but maybe not how I talk about it though. I don't know ~ I find that as I get older I am tending to speak my mind more. Have a good week!
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Hehhe I know how that is with the PMS. I can tell how my writing is during that time. I really go off on those days :) Hope you feel better for the rant.
• United States
1 Apr 07
I get tired of the pushing "1" also. I do alot of telephone banking, etc. and that is how it always starts out. What makes it worse for my family is that my husbands last name is Spanish. His great grandfather was from Spain, so everyone that sends us mail automatically thinks we speak Spanish. LOL He doesn't know any Spanish at all. We get mail that is all in Spanish and who knows what it says!
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I had not heard about the ballots but why am I not surprised? It's insane that they are doing things like that. We should have one basic language for everyone in the country to speak. It should be taught in the schools and used in all major forms of communication. Now if someone wants to make extra money as a translater that's great but it should not be required for anyone to know all these other languages.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
1 Apr 07
That's what happens when people assume. I've known many people with non-english names that only speak English. One should never assume what one speaks. I just think that a country (any country) should have a declared legal language for it and that main things should be done in that language.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Apr 07
I was really surprised when they started to talk about having bilingual voting ballots. I believe if they are citizens and voting, they should know our language. If someone wants to be in our country so bad, and wants to be American, I believe they should have the courtesy to atleast try to learn our language (English) instead of feeling we should learn their's intstead.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Apr 07
I think it is good the government hasn't made English the official language.I like that it is open. In my neighborhood you can hear Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and even Arabic being spoken.Any new American still has to know some English. But there are still places where you don't need to know English.Some thing tells me if you want the majority to decide what language should be named the official lanuage of the U.S. in about 5 to 10 years it would be Spanish.
2 people like this
• United States
1 Apr 07
Oh boy you are so right. My grandparents came to the USA and learned to speack english. If we go to another county we are expected to speak their language.
2 people like this
• United States
6 Apr 07
I wholeheartedly agree that there should be only one language for the people of America. If you want to speak, read or write your own native language, fine, but to force it on the people of America in telephone recordings, billboards and the like is ridiculous! I have an 18 month old son and have to inspect the toys I buy for him to make sure that it is an English version. What lunacy! A lot of the toys that he was given for his birthday and Christmas have a button so you can switch it from English speaking to Spanish speaking. Some of the shows on TV are geared for teaching Spanish as well, I'm sorry, I don't think that my son needs to learn that. It is hard enough to get him to speak English properly, the last thing I need is for him to speak in both languages. I can understand tourist attractions needing to have more than one language if they are receiving visitors from around the world, we have to look out for thier safety as well. But in my opinion, if you are living here in America, you darn well better speak, read and write English like the rest of us. I don't go to France, Italy or Spain and EXPECT them to cater to me because I speak a differnt language, I don't EXPECT the signs in their cities to be in English so I can get around. I once got yelled at, in Spanish, by a gentleman who was furious that I couldn't speak or understand Spanish. Excuse me? I am an American living in America, where does it say that I am required to understand your language? Sorry for going off like that, this is subject that I have been upset over for quite a long time. Great topic by the way.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
6 Apr 07
Do you feel better after ranting? I know sometimes I do. I agree with all you said. Yes at places like Disney World or at the Airport I can understand having things in multiple languages because you are dealing with people all over the world but the local bank or grocery store? They shouldn't have to have everything in multiple languages.
• United States
6 Apr 07
Yes, actually I do feel better. Thanks again for allowing to get it all out!
• United States
1 Apr 07
i wish they would too. i'll tell you what though-most of the time,if i just get a real human anymore,instead of a machine,i'm so happy i don't notice what language it's in LOL i've actually fallen asleep while waiting for a tech to come on line
2 people like this
@Mickie30 (2626)
3 Apr 07
Yeah I find it difficult when I come to America because even though you talk English it is a different vocab to Britain. We seem to use different words like lift for elevator. Or tea for a cup of tea. Tea for dinner, etc. I remember when I came to the States I asked this guy where is the lift please? He replied lift? I said yeah the lift? He said Oh you mean the elevator? We both ended up laughing.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
3 Apr 07
Hehe I will admit in that you are right. Americans do speak a different from of English then those from Britian and even from one area of the country to the next terms can vary. It can be confusing.
@APMorison (424)
• United States
2 Apr 07
if we went to another country and moved there permanently we'd be expected to adapt and learn the language if we did not already know it - why do we have to bend over backward more than double to make allowances for people who have moved here to live? its getting to a point now where people born HERE have to be bilingual in something to even get some jobs - I can understand that its helpful if you have it, but its becoming a requirement. sigh
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I know and in my area it's not just with English and Spanish. We have a large Greek community not to mention Polish. It can be helpful to know more then one language but it shouldn't be a requirement in ones own country.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I don't mind if other ppl want to speak their own language to each other but when they are out shopping or doing business with other ppl then they should know to speak English and speak it well. Half the time when I'm on the phone trying to get something fixed or needing info, I usually get someone with a very heavy accent that I can't understand and have to ask them to speak to their supervisor cause of that very reason. This is the US...speak ENGLISH and speak it clearly!!!!
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Oh I know that feeling all too well. I get very frustrated when I go someplace and I cannot understand the person I'm talking to. You would think they want people who can communicate with customers and be able to help them.
@krayzee (1160)
• Romania
2 Apr 07
To tell the truth I am amazed about this thread (only a little bit but still). I mean you all have a point when you say that English is the official language. It is and it should be used almost everywhere by default. I agree with that. But I don't see why it bothers some of you so much that some services are alternately offered in other languages. I bet very few of you have ever tried learning another language to see that it doesn't take you ten minutes to do that, especially if you're older. I definitely think all American residents should learn English. But until they do you want to refuse them some facilities such as the ability to withdraw money or even call an ambulance? I don't think that's fair. Oh and about other countries. You all say if I went to another country I were expected to know the language. Most countries I've been in offer alternate services in English especially for foreigners. And I salute that and I was glad of that because although I know quite a bunch of languages I cannot know them all. From that point of view also I don't see why it bother you offering alternate possibilities when other countries aren't bothered by that. I think the truth is somewhere in the middle though but some of people who participated in this discussion really need to be more permissive. Is not like some of their rights are annuled by this, it's just offering the same rights to other people. People who participate in the economy just like you.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
2 Apr 07
It bothers me when I go to a bank for example and all the brochures are in Spanish or another language but nothing there for English. When I go to a government center and to find something in English is hard due to so many copies of things being distrubuted in other languages. When I go to call someone and have to repeatedly tell them I do speak English or I have to tell the atm machine the same thing. It's irritating. It's also very irritating when people who have lived in the US all their lives still refuse to use English. They demand that others speak Spanish, Polish, Greek, Chinese etc. It's not just Spanish although I will admit that is a prominant alternate language but I have seen it happen with other languages. It's also the assumption that is irritating. The assumption that we must offer other languages to them besides English. When I went to Mexico I did not assume anyone spoke English there. I did not demand that they speak English to me either. I did not demand or expect to find menu's in both spanish and English or other documentation that way. I went to a country who's declared language is Spanish and I expected to find things there that way.
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
3 Apr 07
Did you know that this country will give an ilegl a cell phone for free so that hey have a translater 24/7!? I am fed up with it all! My husband served this country and now we put polititions in place that want to form the "North American Alliance". This will remove all boarders and this country is no more. My husband believes that true Americans should be screaming for the roof tops for answers. Why do we not chalange the people that we elect? DO you beleive that they know what is best for us? Stand up and demand answers, protest, raise hell or our children will have no country to call their own!
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
3 Apr 07
No I didn't know that but why doesn't it surprise me? I can't get a cell phone, not that I really want one, but they can. I've seen where illegals can get credit cards and bank accounts. Must be nice huh?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Apr 07
I know what you mean I find the whole thing ironic---to be honest I hate the whole automated phone system to begin with---it's not only press 1 for English, but a whole mess of numbers you have to punch in to get where you want to be--and rarely does one get to speak to a real live person--oh, no heaven forbid!--I guess there is a courtesy thing involved since the usual thing is press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish since there is a large Spanish speaking community here in US--I suppose though if we were in Canada though it would be press 1 for English and press 2 for Parlez Francais--LOL
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
7 Apr 07
Well I agree with you there. I hate the whole automated system in general. If I call someplace I want to talk to a human, not some machine.