si habla le anglaise ha ha ha. No habla he he he

Your last word sums it all up. They're cowards. They wouldn't DARE say the same thing in English, they'd be too embarrassed or afraid of getting fired. I've actually thought about learning Spanish JUST so I'd know what these cowards are saying and be able to reply back to them and let them know that not all of us natural-born Americans are unable to understand their pathetic jokes, maybe making them think twice before doing it to another person. For the time being, I think I'd turn to my closest friend and, after glaring at these Spanish-speaking cowards for a few moments, whispering something to my friend, then laughing hysterically, just to let those cowards know what it feels like. Is there anyone you can complain to about these specific caretakers? I'd have to say they're not doing their job very well because talking about someone and laughing AT them is not very caring.

That is so dis respectful.. You need to ignore such people as they are bickerers who need punishment. Its really interesting. Your discussion post seems like something typical happening at schools. Spanish and English are big language contenders and I don't see why these languages are creating so much buzz from inhumane people. Don't be too careless when speaking Spanish, as sometimes it may be personal or curse filled language that you will be speaking.

Why not learn a few phrases in Spanish and surprise them..hehe Maybe they even learn that it is not nice to laugh at someone who doesn´t understand what they say.. Better laugh with people than at them!!

Hi Hatley, Yes, that is very rude. I have had customers come in the store where I work that are foreign and If they have someone with them that does not speak English, that is one thing but it's when they speak English and then carry on conversation in another language while I'm right there that I think is rude. It makes me feel the same as when someone starts whispering while I'm right there. I was always told that it is rude to whisper in front of people. We get a lot of Chinese people coming in where I work and I have trouble understanding some of their English but I really can't understand a word of Chinese.

Yes, cowards. I think to some degree they are giggling because they know they are doing something wrong and that is rude. I think they know what they are doing and feel alittle naughty at best. I hope that if it was something that needed to be put out and expressed that they will find the strength to do so.

Hatley- More than likely they were not even speaking about you directly. They may very well have been speaking about a number of things in your establishment. I know when I speak at a group I sometimes look around me. It comes from the last several years of training to be mindful of my surroundings, for others it is that most people cannot look another in the eyes. That much is just human nature. As far as if they were speaking about you what makes you think they were making fun of you? It might have been they thought you were cute. : ) Of course I have no idea of their age or gender by your comment so I have to go with what I know in the past. I remember a place we lived when I was in high school where we had several Hispanic neighbors who always chatted in Spanish outside the building. I was taking Spanish and found them to be very friendly and helpful in my practice. However my mother was always on the defense. She refused to say hi to them or even acknowledge them. One day one man called to her "Hey Mamacita". My mom went off on him before I could even intervene and tell her it was a bloody compliment. The best thing I can tell you is to learn a few basic words in their language and try being friendly. Tell them "Hola" which is hello in Spanish and is pronounced "Oh-lah". It might just give you an in. If they do something for you can say "Gracias" which means thank you and is pronounced "graw-sea-us". As far as being laughed at or felt like I was being laughed at I encounter that every time I go out in English so when another language is involved I don't even think about it. Even when I have English speaking people do it, make comments or such about my hair style, tats, or what not I simply smile. Most people who are doing so to be mean or snide do not expect me to return in kindness. They expect me to get angry, to be what they expect so I always respond to them in kindness. Again, I sort of think they were probably not even remarking about you and your friends, but if it happens again walk up to them and say "Hola. Coma estas" and smile. Then ask them what they were laughing at. This is less confrontational. Make a joke about it saying "You guys are having way too much fun, what are you laughing about over there". Many blessings. Namaste- Anora

You are correct, that is rude and it happens all the time. Sometimes in school it was in English, but whispers and laughs, but it is the same thing. It just takes place in a different language now. It is not a very good feeling to be talked about, for sure.

I totally agree with you. If I was going to say something about someone and they were right there, I'd atleast have the buts to say it in a language that they would understand.

That is very rude. I heard the local nail salon had women who speak another language, (I don't think it was Spanish), and the costumers could tell they were talking about them, but of course couldn't prove it. Because of this, I never went there. This is America, not Mexico,Spain, Japan or otherwise and our language is English.. These caretakers need to realize what county they are in.

If it's a separate group at another table, who cares what language they are speaking. But when it's people who are with you and are in your conversation, sure it's rude. Maybe you all should bone up on your pig latin and start talking about them!

That has never bothered me, Hatley. In English or Spanish, if they are laughing at me Odds are I am laughing as well

Hi Hatley, It's bad enough when people do it on the street, but when it is people taking care of you that is even worse. I don't think you are overreacting at all. This is OUR COUNTRY, and we are allowing others to come here and enjoy the freedom that they can't find anywhere else. Learning OUR language should be a requirement for this new found freedom. I realize it's not that easy but why did they come here? Did they think freedom meant free healthcare? Free food? And free Education? If they want to live here then they should becom Americans like those of us who were born and raised here. And stop hiding behind their launguage to belittle us. Take care, Leenie

Hiya Hatley, I can´t reply to you from down there so it´s back up here again. The three caretakers I thought they were Men you see when you said Caretakers. Oh sorry they are Mexican Women right. It´s a good job I was not there to tell them something like "no os da verguenza burlarse de los que tienen que estar aqui aunque no quieran?" It would go like this in English I very rarely write an example in Spanish. "Don´t you feel ashamed of yourselves making fun of these people just because they have to be here even if they don´t want to?" Well I can see you understand some Spanish but you need someone to defend your Rights too. Anyway like I said before they are nobody. Someday it might happen to them in the same fashion I wonder if they will remember what they did and said then. Take care now. xxx

Yes, I think it is very rude and very unfair. I think it would bother me too especially if it were that obvious. I speak Spanish so I could have understood and maybe say something back if I were in the same situation. Even so I would have maybe even gone up to the idiots and said something in English then you and your friend could have walked off together laughing too.

Hey Hatley I think they were very rude, and i would have felt offended as well. As a game tester at Ubisoft i picked up a few lines in various foreign languages, but depending on the language i would probably still have difficulties understanding what people talking in other language and making fun of me are on about. I would probably be able to understand what they say (or at least partially) in english, french, italian and spanish but still, i would prefer them to spill the beans in a language that i can understand.

Hi Hatley my mother language is spanish[ because I happen be to born in South America]but it also could have being Italian or Portuguese, today I live in Australia and we speak English [ mostly] in our household and when friends come over [ which they tend to be from all over the world] we just stick to English [ mind you sometimes it's such a confusion] [when some one talk to each other in their own language]but we never make fun of any one. As a hostess I always make sure every one is comfortable. I would not tolerate any rude comment in what ever language! that's for sure!

There is no excuse for bad behavior. Whether they were actually laughing at you and your friends or not, in giving you the impression that it was you...they were very rude. With so many people looking for work, maybe they don't appreciate there jobs anymore? I'd say something to the management or social worker about this incident. Probably it's happened to others besides you. Let the management handle the issue, whether it's more training for the care takers, or other measures. No one deserves to be treated like that.

Hi Hatley, yes, that is pretty rude to laugh and joke in another language around people who are clearly not going to understand the joke. Even if the joke is not about the people, we who cannot understand the language are naturally going to assume that the joke is us. It is human nature to assume this. If they were not laughing at you they would have shared the joke in English as common courtesy I feel.

That is just wrong that those employees were doing that to you all. I think that when you are working in an area where everyone speaks English, then it should not even be permissable to speak in another language while you are on the floor with your work. Now, if they were on break, I would think it would be a totally different situation, but they were right there in the room with you all and that is the reason that I really don't think that speaking in Spanish and laughing was acceptible at all.

That is very rude. Even if they were not talking about you, I think it is still disrespectful if they talk in a foreign language in front of you. At least they should respect the country they are in and should recognize the people around them if they would like to talk. If they are not trying to be rude, then they should at least talk in English.