press 1 for english?

[[AK]Beaker]

I have to say I am overjoyed when I am in a foreign country and they have an option for English on machines like answering machines, informational things and bank machines.

Shouldn't we be just as courteous here?

It's somewhat exciting to be looking at a bank machine in Dutch or Swedish and wondering what the heck it is saying.

I can only imagine how difficult it must be for people to navigate the healthcare system or insurance system as well as the banking system if you don't know the language. I even ask if they have an English menu when I am dining in a foreign country. I am not offended when they don't but I certainly appreciate it when they do!

[[AK]Squidly]

If you were planning moving to and making your life in a foreign country, you should learn the language and adapt.

It would be silly to expect that everything be presented to you in English.

The same should be true here, yet I have seen bi-lingual signs in Best Buy and bi-lingual labels on consumer products. It's becoming pervasive. America's socialists and their "we mustn't offend anyone" policies are ruining the country. We're losing our identity as we push headlong towards globalization.

We used to be a melting pot, where different cultures would arrive and become Americans. Now we're a mixed group of stalwart individuals, refusing to change or adapt linguistically or culturally, served and catered to by an ever-growing governmental nanny.

Gee, that sounds SO appealing.

[[AK]Hylander]

If you were planning moving to and making your life in a foreign country, you should learn the language and adapt.

It would be silly to expect that everything be presented to you in English.

The same should be true here, yet I have seen bi-lingual signs in Best Buy and bi-lingual labels on consumer products. It's becoming pervasive. America's socialists and their "we mustn't offend anyone" policies are ruining the country. We're losing our identity as we push headlong towards globalization.

We used to be a melting pot, where different cultures would arrive and become Americans. Now we're a mixed group of stalwart individuals, refusing to change or adapt linguistically or culturally, served and catered to by an ever-growing governmental nanny.

Gee, that sounds SO appealing.

** Hylander stands up and claps and presents Squidly with a fine bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon**

Just a quick experience I had. When I first moved here (PA) from Virginia, I had to take a written test to transfer my drivers license. I went to the center to take the test and the presenter asked me if I wanted to take the test in English or Spanish. I asked her what country we were in.. she said America. I said, OK.... now what language are the street signs in? She said English. I said.. then that's the damn language I "SHOULD" be taking the test in because the last time I checked, I didn't see any Spanish language street signs. (Waiting for that to happen!)

If I moved to Spain, I would sure as hell expect myself to learn Spanish. The same if I moved to Mexico. Now, if I moved to France I'd just wait for them to surrender and demand an English only law.

As Squidly so eloquently stated - I'm sick to death of our country catering to others and abandoning our societal values in the name of political correctness and "diversity sensitivity".

[[AK]Mydrial]

We bend over backwards to embrace, coddle, and appease all cultures in this country to the point of it being ridiculous.....the end result will be the disappearance and demise of the American culture!! I am all for being polite and respectful of tourists, travelers, and visitors.

But the second you decide to stay and live here. LEARN THE LANGUAGE!!!!

Don't kid yourself the rest of the world learns english because they want our money.

[zenura]

I think the only reason that international places have English on their systems is because it IS the universal language. It is the language of trade, it is the second language nearly every country teaches their children to they can communicate in a common tongue no matter where they go. If the language of trade had been Chinese, you can bet that all the European countries would have it on their systems as an option and English wouldn't be there.

That being said, if other countries are learning it as their secondary language as it is the language of trade, shouldn't an America citizen be required to know it as their primary one?