I agree. I think, if you're going to live somewhere, you should learn to speak the language atleast well enough for anything you'll need. Your tattoo incident here is a perfect example of what should NOT be happening. If I were to move to Germany, I would not walk around, talking to people in English expecting them to understand me (although English is taught there as regular curriculum). I would learn to speak the language. But perhaps that comes from my preference not to look like a retard or to be a burden.
And the signs! Blocks without a word of English in sight. This is the same thing. If you're going to live here, then damnit, learn to communicate in the language we do.
However, the "humanitarian" in me sees what goes on. I work with a guy who works 7 days a week, 12 hours a day at $7.50/hr to send money to his family back in Mexico (he's legal). You could argue that this is a drain on the economy or whatnot, but frankly, were I in his position, I can't say I'd do differently, and I can't say I'd want to take the time to learn the language of a bunch of people who only look down on me anyway.
"and I can't say I'd want to take the time to learn the language of a bunch of people who only look down on me anyway."
& that’s part of the problem right there. The whole thing is a circle & it feeds on itself. If you’re an immigrant who doesn’t think anybody wants him here & then acts like that, his attitude will cause more people to not like him & then increase the stereotype. But if you’re an immigrant who doesn’t think that that & instead, tries to make an effort at joining the society & becoming a citizen in more ways than legal, then other people will respond favorably & it will help reduce the stereotypes.
Not that the immigrants are all at fault here, but I agree with you, if you’re a guest in another home/village/country, it’s your job to find out what’s normal there (language, customs, etc) & try to follow their flow, not expect everybody else to change & do what you want, because you’re new.
They are looked down on because they don't try to assimilate the customs of their new country!!
The 'legal' alien status is another thing that has to go. You want to work here and live here, then you should have to give up foreign citizenship and become an American.
The good jobs in this country are disappearing because these aliens will work for nothing, make some cash to send back, then leave and live like a king in their own country for a couple of years on the money that they made here in one year. When the money runs out, they come back!
I don't know whether or not I'd want to give up my home just for a job. That is, give up my status as an American if I had to work in France for a year or two, no matter what the pay. If they're actually wanting to live out their lives here, then yeah, I agree... but if they're just working here for money to live back there, then I disagree.
And I don't know about you, but I don't see too many brazers in white collar jobs, or even good blue collar. I see them digging holes, working ovens, etc. Could just be me, though.
And yeah... I worked with a guy who did just that. He'd stay here 3 months, go home for 6, etc. He was 56, had a wife and kid, and was simply the kindest person I'd ever met. We barely knew each other, and he once brought me gifts from his last trip home. His job? He washed dishes.
Personally, I think we're all too concerned with having and keeping our own little slice of the pie. But that's getting on to bigger issues and off topic.
And the signs! Blocks without a word of English in sight. This is the same thing. If you're going to live here, then damnit, learn to communicate in the language we do.
However, the "humanitarian" in me sees what goes on. I work with a guy who works 7 days a week, 12 hours a day at $7.50/hr to send money to his family back in Mexico (he's legal). You could argue that this is a drain on the economy or whatnot, but frankly, were I in his position, I can't say I'd do differently, and I can't say I'd want to take the time to learn the language of a bunch of people who only look down on me anyway.
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& that’s part of the problem right there. The whole thing is a circle & it feeds on itself. If you’re an immigrant who doesn’t think anybody wants him here & then acts like that, his attitude will cause more people to not like him & then increase the stereotype. But if you’re an immigrant who doesn’t think that that & instead, tries to make an effort at joining the society & becoming a citizen in more ways than legal, then other people will respond favorably & it will help reduce the stereotypes.
Not that the immigrants are all at fault here, but I agree with you, if you’re a guest in another home/village/country, it’s your job to find out what’s normal there (language, customs, etc) & try to follow their flow, not expect everybody else to change & do what you want, because you’re new.
Reply
The 'legal' alien status is another thing that has to go. You want to work here and live here, then you should have to give up foreign citizenship and become an American.
The good jobs in this country are disappearing because these aliens will work for nothing, make some cash to send back, then leave and live like a king in their own country for a couple of years on the money that they made here in one year. When the money runs out, they come back!
Reply
And I don't know about you, but I don't see too many brazers in white collar jobs, or even good blue collar. I see them digging holes, working ovens, etc. Could just be me, though.
And yeah... I worked with a guy who did just that. He'd stay here 3 months, go home for 6, etc. He was 56, had a wife and kid, and was simply the kindest person I'd ever met. We barely knew each other, and he once brought me gifts from his last trip home. His job? He washed dishes.
Personally, I think we're all too concerned with having and keeping our own little slice of the pie. But that's getting on to bigger issues and off topic.
Reply
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