Xenophobic, Bigotted, Racist, Islamophobic, Extremely Rude, Or All Five?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3275447/Vile-racist-rant-London-bus-caught-camera.html

[THECORBYLOON]

It may be 'very unsettling' for you but I can assure you it does not bother me in the slightest. Rather than being unsettled, why do you not just do what you would do if a conversation were in English, ignore it?

[retrocop]

Why would people bother to live in the UK if they do not want or bother to speak the host nation's language.It pees me of and shows their idle indifference.
If they are too indolent to bother then they are hardly likely to provide a useful benefit to the country that has accepted them.

[retrocop]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I am retired. My English wife who is a SRN in the NHS for nearly 40 years speaks fluent Spanish. When she retires next year I would like to retire to Spain or a Spanish Island.
I believe it is a non negotiable duty that I must learn Spanish and converse with her, in Spanish, at all times in order to speak fluently with the Spanish Host nation.It is a common courtesy. For that reason I would sooner live in the boonies where no ex pats set up Irish bars etc and no natives speak English.
That is why I have nothing but total contempt for those who choose to live here,accept the benefits available to them and do not bother to speak English.

[mastercraft]

Surely it is a case of the 'kettle calling the pot black'.

[retrocop]

:-)

[THECORBYLOON]

I am not saying folk should not learn English if for no other reason it helps them when communicating with folk who speak only English. What I am saying is that folk should not be offended by those who choose not to speak it when chatting to someone else in public especially since they say they don't listen to other conversations in the first place.

[retrocop]

Tourists who are here short term. Acceptable.
Persons who take up residency in a host nation and don't bother.Not polite . Not acceptable.
The two Muslim women on the bus who are the alledged victims of the tirade are probably strictly restricted as to what they can do ,where they can go, and more importantly.what they are allowed to learn.
Of course that is a massive assumption and I am sure that really can't be the case can it? Not possible in a civilised world.

Night all. Off to bed :-)

[andy-hughes]

retrocop - //That is why I have nothing but total contempt for those who choose to live here,accept the benefits available to them and do not bother to speak English. //

You could be making assumptions on a number of levels here.

Just because people choose to speak a native language among themselves does not automatically mean that they do not speak English, or that they are too idle to learn it. The reason may simply be one of convenience, and the enjoyment of speaking a native language.

The lady in a couple of close friends of ours is Chinese. She has lived here for over forty years, and speaks English fluently. She does say that she very much enjoys a chance to speak her native language with friends and family when the opportunity arises, so she could well find herself in the situation you seem to abhor so much - conversing in her native language within your earshot.

I think it is people's choice to speak how they wish, and they should not feel burdened to accommodate the lofty wishes of complete strangers.

[jourdain2]

andy-hughes - it goes deeper than that. It challenges the feeling of safety and cohesion of society. If you don't understand that I can't explain any more so I shan't return to this thread. :)

[jourdain2]

^^^ Sorry, pressed button too soon. Add 'Except to say that you are nit-picking - and you know you are!' :)

[THECORBYLOON]

You hear foreign languages and your feeling of safety is challenged? How often has your safety been put at risk by non-English speakers?

[andy-hughes]

jourdain - //'Except to say that you are nit-picking - and you know you are!' :) //

One man's 'nit-picking' is another man's desire for an exchange of views.