Some you will think i'm a dick but....

[fredjacksonsan]

The US is the only industrialized nation that does not have an official language.

In the town my parents live in, there are numerous Asian businesses that put up signs in Asian writing - with no English. My parents call the area "Little Korea". They are less than 10 miles as the crow flies from Washington, DC. Not complaining about the Asians or that they are bringing their culture over, but rather the fact that they put up signs ONLY in their native language to discourage others from going into their store. I have received dirty looks from them upon entering their buildings.


I agree with the tenet that if you move to a foreign country, great, bring your culture with you. But also you should learn the language and try to fit in somewhat. If I moved to Indonesia, or Bolivia, or even Iraq, and opened a store with English only signs and frowned at all the people that came in that weren't a cracker like me, how long would I last?

OK enough ranting.

[aloharocky]

I live in Hawaii, full of orientals.The reason the signage is in their native languages is so they will draw in people from their own culture. After all, I'm not likely to buy a skinned cat and a dried octopus for dinner, so why appeal to me for business? Our "Chinatown" is actually Vietnamese now, go figger. Chinese signs, Vietnamese shops, Japanes customers. But at least the orientals won't knock you on the head for your wallet, like our home-grown thugs.

[LotusDreams]

Originally Posted by Murco

The english settlers beat them and conquered their land but I don't think they did much raping...

*blink* At least in Canada there was a whole lot of raping... never heard of metis? it's French + native.. due almost entirely to the settlers raping native women.

[fredjacksonsan]

I'm all for signs in native language to help folks out, especially if they have just arrived here. But they should also be in English; and the dirty looks I've gotten when going into one of these shops may just be that I'm the new guy, not necessarily a white guy.

[GTStang]

I personally do not care if a private business sign is in another language and not english. It is there choice to lose my business and vice versa if a private company chooses to put a manual in just english or english and 3 other languages that is their choice.

But I do not feel that the US governments, Federal or State should be making two documents one in spanish and one an english. And things of that sort. If you come to this country and choose not to learn English then you must pay the consequences of that decision.

But I do not agree with the writer or that article cause there are of a lot of undertones and attitude in that article that are wrong.

[Heep]

I've been saying the same about Canada as that article says for a few years now, after living around Toronto for a few years for college. I have no problem with immigrants, nor any problem with them privately celebrating their culture or opening up shops to cater to other of their nationality. What bothers me is when they try to adapt us to their culture, for instance, one of the middle eastern nations lobbying to allow their kids to wear their traditional religious swords to school!

[lazysmurff]

Originally Posted by Z28Josh

Smurf you need to go back to history class and learn something of the founding of our country, here's some did you know's for you.

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

thats all nice and dandy son, but what your missing is this:

did you know that: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

which has constantly been uhheld to include NOT practicing a religion.

whatever decorations may adorn federal buildings matters not to me. what matters is the practices of that federal organization. and as long as they dont force me into a religion, and respect the religion of others, they can dress themselves in psalms for all i care.

[Raz_Kaz]

Originally Posted by Heep

I've been saying the same about Canada as that article says for a few years now, after living around Toronto for a few years for college. I have no problem with immigrants, nor any problem with them privately celebrating their culture or opening up shops to cater to other of their nationality. What bothers me is when they try to adapt us to their culture, for instance, one of the middle eastern nations lobbying to allow their kids to wear their traditional religious swords to school!

Thats just a tad too much because if those kids were living back home, they wouldn't be going to school with no swords. I say tha religious celebrations don't have to be private. We live i the 21st century, everyone is aware of other religions out there, no one is forcing you to join in the celebration but why do they have to hide it from the rest of the world?

[RSX-S777]

"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan.. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women,
on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God
offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part
of our culture.


I'm an American. God isn't part of my culture.

Hey...slaves were part of the culture when the country was started- maybe that should be taught in schools too- the merits of endentured servitude. If you don't like the idea of slavery, then move, right?

This whole article is arrogant, ethnocentric drivel. Not only that, it's pure hypocrisy. To hold up the ideals upon which this country was founded (EQUALITY, FREEDOM etc.) and then denounce those who exercise the freedom NOT to learn the language, NOT to worship or acknowledge a Christian God and furthermore label them as somehow unequal to those that do?! Sickening. I may think it's best to try and assimilate, but to abandon one's cultural identity completely in order to conform to some idiot's view of what an American should be is ridiculous.

[YogsVR4]

I get a kick out of the people who are offended when God is mentioned

GOD GOD GOD GOD

freedom NOT to learn the language, NOT to worship or acknowledge a Christian God and furthermore label them as somehow unequal to those that do

Don't learn the language - fine, but don't expect me to buck up to pay for your translation. Worship or be unequal? Nobody is telling anyone to worship anything. Someone has an inferiority complex going on here and it sure isn't me.













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[Heep]

Originally Posted by Raz_Kaz

Thats just a tad too much because if those kids were living back home, they wouldn't be going to school with no swords. I say tha religious celebrations don't have to be private. We live i the 21st century, everyone is aware of other religions out there, no one is forcing you to join in the celebration but why do they have to hide it from the rest of the world?

Well, I don't mind them practicing whatever religion, but when that allows swords in elementary school then the line has been crossed. They can wear a turban or whatever they want, but if they're putting into practice a religion that involves the killing of Christians, say, then they need to be somewhat restricted.

[aloharocky]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

I'm all for signs in native language to help folks out, especially if they have just arrived here. But they should also be in English; and the dirty looks I've gotten when going into one of these shops may just be that I'm the new guy, not necessarily a white guy.

A lot of orientals are suspicious of strangers because of the culture that they left. Secret police, stuff like that. And don't bother with the facial expressions, they mean different things. Vietnamese, for instance, will smile when they are scared shitless of you.

[Raz_Kaz]

Originally Posted by Heep

Well, I don't mind them practicing whatever religion, but when that allows swords in elementary school then the line has been crossed. They can wear a turban or whatever they want, but if they're putting into practice a religion that involves the killing of Christians, say, then they need to be somewhat restricted.

I know, thats why I said the people preaching to let their children to school with swords is ridiculous because back home they don't do that shit. I guess they're trying to prove some sort of point. LOL, and yea, if a religion or practice involves breaking the law, then it should not be allowed.

[Igovert500]

Just a thought, how did you guys feel when that kid 10 or so years ago went to Singapore and spray painted cars...most Americans threw a fit that he was going to get caned. Isn't that a double standard? I'm sorry I only read half the posts and skimmed the other half. You say that they should come here and adapt to our rules, customs, etc.

In some places in the Middle East a woman can be killed for showing too much skin. Yet American female reporters go over there all the time and where shorts and do not get stoned.

In some places in Europe Americans are stereotyped as loud and obnoxious. These are just a few examples, but it seems that we don't exactly conform to other countries policies/customs/laws over there.

I understand that you don't want deadbeats living off your taxes...fine, but to make blanket statements like they should all learn our customs and give up theirs is ridiculous. We don't show the proper respect for others customs, religions, laws when in their country...and then you want immigrants to switch everything and live by yours.

I lived in Germany for 3 years, and honestly there were plenty of times when visiting Americans embarrased me in public by their actions. In town, or in Switzerland or France or Italy, they stood out like a sore-thumb. Generally much more demanding, and louder than the average person.

In Germany for instance, the notion 'the customer is always right' doesn't necessarily apply. I took some friends out to dinner, and they complained about the drinks and food, and the tip being already included. They expected to be treated like they are in America...and this simply wasn't the case and the owner of the restaraunt got very angry. And rightfully so, as their actions (which would be considered normal in America) were insulting to him.

My point is that we as Americans go to other countries and don't realize differing customs, attitudes, cultures, etc. and without realizing it, we have a very ethnocentric attitude, like we expect everyone else should conform to American standards...in their own foreign country.

I just think that this is a double standard, and very self-centered and elitist...and frankly I find it a bit ignorant. I don't mean to be offensive, but I honestly find some of the comments in this thread pretty offensive and am trying pretty hard to remain civil.

[RSX-S777]

Originally Posted by YogsVR4

I get a kick out of the people who are offended when God is mentioned
GOD GOD GOD GOD
Don't learn the language - fine, but don't expect me to buck up to pay for your translation. Worship or be unequal? Nobody is telling anyone to worship anything. Someone has an inferiority complex going on here and it sure isn't me.

I would rather be percieved as having an inferiority complex than a superiority complex as the author of the article clearly does.