I Don't Know What to Make of This...
By skinnychick
@skinnychick (6905)
United States
June 23, 2008 6:34pm CST
Let me preface this by saying that this discussion may be a bit controversial but I don't mean it to be.
Here's what happened:
I'm going on a trip to Mexico in a couple of weeks. I just found out that I needed a passport to go. My old one is more than 10 years old so I needed to get another one. I had to get an expediting service to put the rush on my passport. It's very expensive so avoid it if you can. Anyway, I take all my documents to the post office so I can apply for the passport and get the ball rolling. I walk in and the lady behind the counter is Asian and can barely speak English. OK, I had no idea what the he11 she was saying.
To make matters worse, my drivers license still had my married name on it. I go by my maiden name which is also on the license and I just hyphenated it. There was a problem because my names didn't match. Ummmm, honestly I don't believe this person could read English because my maiden name is on the license as well. I think the Asian lady told me to get my license changed which is another issue because to get a passport your license had to be issued more than 6 months ago so a new corrected one wouldn't have worked for this anyway. We tried to explain that as well but she had no idea. She just looked at us cross eyed.
All my stuff gets turned into the state department anyway and they would have seen my names and more than likely been able to read them.
So then I have to go all the way home and get my divorce papers and turn those in. All the while, this Asian lady is giving me a whole load of attitude.
I'm a natural born US citizen and yet I have this much trouble by someone who wasn't even born here.
Is it me or should people who work for any public federal office at least be able to speak and read English? Do you agree with this or would you not care?
I understand America was a land built by immigrants and I have no other problems with them other than being able to read and write English when you are working in a governmental office. Am I wrong to think this way???
I'm still wondering if this was the woman who gave 15 middle eastern guys passports so they could fly some planes into big buildings.
This whole situation really has gotten me thinking about how messed up America is in some ways.
So what would you have done in my situation and how do you feel about it?
Thanks for reading.
7 people like this
18 responses
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I guess what I would of done is politely explain you were obviously having a language problem and ask to speak to another person or their supervisor. I do agree with the issue that if you live in this country you do need to know the lanuguage. But, I'm sure she must know how to read and speak it or they wouldn't have hired her to do a government job. And, she might not have been born here but perhaps married an American? As for blaming one Asian lady for issuing passports to terrorists (without any proof I might add) I think thats a bit extreme. But, maybe I just get defensive because my two granddaughters, who are of Asian background but are natural born Americans.
2 people like this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
24 Jun 08
They are natural born Americans that is the key. I have nothing against the Asian people. Not at all. But I do have a problem with the fact that there is no way that this person was born here. I will guarantee you that. It was like she moved here 2 weeks ago. There was a total language barrier and she may be able to read a couple of words but not enough to be fluent.
I don't think that's extreme at all. Those terrorists got in this country to do that deed and it could have been (though I can't say for sure) an idiot like this that said here you go come in and blow up some buildings.
I have a niece who adopted 2 kids from No. Korea and she agreed with me here on this issue. These kids speak the language better than mine. So there is definitely no excuse for this lady.
Just another note, I forgot to ask them when the passport would come and I went back to the same office and it was an Asian lady (a different one) and she had no problem understanding me. She should have done mine in the first place.
1 person likes this
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I may have had to kill her after going through all of this just for a passport.. But you are so right, everyone here needs to learn to speak English, If I went to another country, you can bet they wouldn't learn to speak my language just for me.. You are 100% correct, speak English, or at least try to learn English or go home.. It isn't too much to ask.. We do not have to bend our rules for people from other countries, they have to integrate into our system and into our customs, not us into theirs..
2 people like this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
24 Jun 08
Anywhere else we go, we have to integrate and accept the culture even if you are in another country for a short time. I don't see why it is such a problem here. But I would like to get to the bottom of it.
Thanks so much for the response.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I'm with you. And do you know that in my town you have to be bilingual (spanish) just to work in a government office. City, County, State and Fed. How do you like that?
In your position, I would have just gotten the documents she needed and move on. Or come back another day or go to a different office.
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
24 Jun 08
Believe me, I wanted to go to another office but there wasn't another near by and I need this passport in a week. So the time constraint already had my mood foul and then I deal with this women. Thankfully, it's over.
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
24 Jun 08
First ms Chick..you have more patience then i would have..I'd probably would have been asking for a translator to explain for me..ok I'm not a mean person either but come on..why would this happen nowadays? If you come here then speak the language..American..it should be the law and not allowed in..if it was good enough for my ancestors coming over from different countries to do then its good enough for a Gov. officier to at least figure out since the last time i looked...I don't think i was taught any asian language in school.
2 people like this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
24 Jun 08
Seems like I missed my Asian language class at school too...Hmmmm?
That would have been great. Ask for a translator when applying for an American passport in America. What is wrong with that picture? LOL
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@cjgrooms (4456)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I have no problem with anyone coming to the United states (legally, i have a real big problem with them coming illegally) but if they want to work here in any public job or to get citizenship they should be required to speak English! That is of course not the way it is. In some states you cannot get a job (even in a zippy mart) if you can't speak Spanish! Does this seem kind of backwards to anyone besides me? After all if i went overseas i am sure that i wouldn't be hired working in a job where i couldn't communicate with the customers.
1 person likes this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I absolutely agree. This is a big problem here and nobody wants to say it. I think people want to pretend it's ok. But it just isn't. I almost felt as if I was being treated as an outsider in my own country. It was weird. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@cjgrooms (4456)
• United States
24 Jun 08
There is a problem here. the problem is that people want to live here and have all of the same rights as the people born here but they want to hold on to their past instead of going forward. And that would be fine with me if Americans were not paying the price so that they can do that.I would not expect to got to another country and have more rights than the people born there. Let me shut up before i tick off half of mylot!
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
24 Jun 08
Well, I agree with you completely.. If you come to our country, speak our language, fight in our wars, defend our country, and pay taxes or just shut up and go home.. Right is right and wrong is wrong, but as simple as that statement is, not a lot of people catch on to it..
1 person likes this
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I honestly do not know what else an immigrant has to do other than pass the citizenship exam....but in mu opinion they should offer classes to help people who are not native to the English language before they allow them to work in the public...because everytime I call a 1-800 number I get someone from India or so (and no offense to any Indians out there) and for all I know I could have been routed to India with that number....but when it comes to a bill you are trying to starighten out or something like your passport there should never be a language barrier...
I have always looked at it this way If I move to France then it is up to me to learn French....not them to learn English...If someone moves to the US....learn the english language....there are classes available I am sure.
Because the language barrier can lead to a lot of hositilities.
It is sad that a natural born US citizen has to prove their identity just because the laws allowed terrorists into our own country and allowed them to take flight lessons at our own aviation schools....
I hope you have a nice trip and don't get too rowdy I heard if you go to jail there....there is a lot of red tape to get you out...LOL
1 person likes this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I know a lot of study exams for citizenship come in other languages, like Spanish. It's possible that they let you take the exams in other languages. But, I really don't know for sure.
1 person likes this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I feel that same way.
I will definitely stay out of jail!LOL :)
Not my idea of a good time!
Thanks so much for the response and the laugh!
1 person likes this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
24 Jun 08
of course if i were in your shoes i will feel bad for the misunderstanding or maybe the asian really doesnt know a thing on how to deal with the situation or maybe cant speak/understanding much the language...just wondering why she is assign to that specific post..
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I have said this many times. Anyone that works with the American Public; not just governmental offices, but its most important there, should have a working knowledge of the language and should be able to be understood with at least 80% accuracy. We shouldn't have to ask a person to repeat themselves several times just to understand a simple phrase. Its not only frustrating for the person who is trying to get something done, but also the person behind the counter or on the other end of the phone.
What I don't understand is why you would want to come to a country where you don't understand the language even a little. Anyone could get over on you, and tell you exactly what they are doing, but all you would do is smile and nod because you don't have a clue what they are talking about. All immigrants should be made to learn at least a working knowledge of the english language, for their own safety if nothing else.
1 person likes this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
24 Jun 08
That's a great point. There could be a safety issue as well. This would be the case in any other country that you go to and didn't know the language.
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Jun 08
skinnychick no you are absolutely right. People in government
offices should all have to speak english. this is the US and we do speak English here so make them all learn to speak and read'
English.I am surprised that asian lady did not learn to speak english properly as so many asians that come here do learn to sp;eak and read english fluently as opposed to mexicans. I think if I could have found another employee to speak to I would have told the asian lady to find me someone who could speak and understand English. I am also born here in our USA. We need to have more people learning English if they intend to live and work here. lol.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I absolutely agree with you on this. Equal opportunity has just gone too far. I am probably the least racist/prejudicial person you could ever meet, but this has nothing to do with racism, etc.
It has to do with being able to properly perform the job/service well. If you can't do the job and be a public servant in the manner that is proper to the general public, you need not be in that position. If that's because you are not from this country and English is not your first language, then so be it. If I am applying for a job in this country that would require me to speak another language then I would not be qualified for that reason. If I qualify higher than other applicants in every other area, that doesn't matter - I can't do the job and therefore shouldn't get it.
1 person likes this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
25 Jun 08
Well that's the thing...good point here. If I was applying for a job at the US Embassy in France. Then shouldn't I be able to speak French since I would be living there. I would also assume that I would be communicating with French officials who maybe wouldn't speak English. They wouldn't hire me probably if I couldn't speak French. So why is the US hiring people who can barely speak English. It makes no sense.
Thanks so much for the response.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
26 Jun 08
I would have blown up. Easily enough said. I agree, it's right to be here, blah blah blah, but there should be some guidelines for this. You should be able to speak english or read english before working in a place like that! It's governmentally owned and operated, so why did this happen? I used to be on the side of the foreigners, but I really could care less now.
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
26 Jun 08
There should be some guidelines. If there are, they aren't being followed. It's a bad thing in this country.
Thanks for the response.
@frankiecesca (2489)
•
24 Jun 08
You're right it is a controversial subject!
I am sort of the same in that I am terrible and when I say terrible I mean I struggle to understand people who are citizens in my own country but live in a differnt part of the country for example I am from Manchester and if I meet a scottish person with a really deep accent I struggle to understand the same as thy might with me!
So my view on this is I have no problem with anybody or any country working in a public sector but, I do beleive that bosses should be aware when employing peopel who are going to be working directly with the public that they should understand that if they employ somebody who couldn't understand others or vice versa then it's not very fair on everybody!! x
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
24 Jun 08
Some people are just dense, lol. The situation may not have been any better, if she would have spoken impeccable English, just a thought. But you are right. For important paperwork like that, where things have to be correct, the person handling the paperwork should at least know the rules and be able to communicate effectively in order to explain any issues that may arise. Hopefully she was just filling in for the person who normally takes care of those applications....
1 person likes this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
24 Jun 08
That's a great thought. Maybe she was just filling in. I hope. LOL
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@slyvixen42 (926)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I definitely think people that work in places like that should be able to speak and write very good English. I don't think that's an unreasonable requirement.
1 person likes this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I don't either. I'm just wondering why they don't enforce it before these people get hired.
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
24 Jun 08
I'm with you there, skinny.
I think someone working for a government office, should be able to speak and read and make themselves understood in that nations language. After all, important documents are concerned and very important issues are dealt with and a CLEAR UNDERSTANDING is definitely necessary.
All of our gov't workers have to speak both english and french fluently.
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
25 Jun 08
That is the way it should be. At least English here fluently. Any native language should be an added bonus.
Thanks for the response.
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
24 Jun 08
As far as I know, you've always had to have your documents matching in order to get your passport. It makes sense. Your driver's license and passport names should match.
I'm wondering how you know this woman wasn't born in the US. Just because of the way she talked? I've known people whose parents and grandparents spoke other languages in the home, so that the kids ended up with accents. But the kids were born here. So accent isn't always a way to tell.
Sounds like the lady was just doing her job. It was at least 1 year ago when the news reports started telling us that going to Mexico and Canada would soon require a passport. Right now, I've been told that if you drive to Canada you still don't need one, but if you take a boat or airplane, you do.
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
25 Jun 08
She had no idea what she was doing with her job. I could tell she wasn't from here and possibly hadn't been here that long because of the accent. It was too thick. She had no idea about the hand carry process. This state will change your name online without issuing you a new drivers license especially if it was just renewed. Legally, according to the government,my name is changed. It shouldn't have mattered anyway because my maiden name, the one I use, is on that same license.
The problem other than the language barrier is that she couldn't do her job. She also couldn't communicate that.
This would make you a little leary as well if your passport were in the hands of someone like this. All the documents need to be filed properly and I was afraid they weren't going to be because she had no clue.
Thanks for the response.
@zhuuraan (961)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I think that anyone who lives in any country should speak the primary language, at least fluently enough to communicate properly and should be able to speak and understand any vocabulary which would be used in their profession. If I move to France, I will learn French. If I move to the Netherlands, I will learn Dutch. If someone moves to the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, wahtever, they should speak english. If I had my own country, a test would be administered to all prospective immigrants to be sure that they could at least speak and understand the primary language before being allowed to get in. They wouldn't be required to pass with flying colors, but I'd say at least 60%, so that they can at least communicate, even if it's not perfect. Also, if they pass with less than 80%, they would be required to take classes to learn the language. Sounds a bit harsh I know but it's better than living in a country where english is the primary language and yet a huge minority can't speak it.
@cowgirl2213 (12)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I have no problem people coming here from other countries, but if you are going to move here LEAN TO SPEAK ENGLISH!!!!! There are too many jobs now requireing you to be bilingual it's uncalled for! If you are coming to America and the language here is english then that is what you speak. If you wnat to speak spanish, french, german, or any other language in your home that is one thing but in public it should be english only or go back to where you came from!!!
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
25 Jun 08
That should be the first priority. When they are made citizens if they do it legally, they should have to take English classes. That might help this problem.
Thanks for the response.
