Ok, once again, work is driving me crazy. This would be the consession stand work at the BOB. Surprisingly enough, it’s not the high schoolers this time. Anyway, yesterday must have been “stupid customer day.”
Again, two main issues… if you see us cleaning up the stand, the lemonade is empty, the lights are off, and things seem to be picked up, we are closed. That means we have no lemonade to sell, we have no cotton candy to sell, we have nothing! Don’t ask! No, we don’t give shit away for free either. Do I just live a sheltered life? Where are free products being given away??? Please share, because that’s a pretty sweet deal. I’m pretty sure I’ve ranted about this issue before, but it deserved another visit after last night. Oh yeah, and trying to make me feel guilty by saying that I’m making a 4 year old sad doesn’t work. If you wanted to avoid any sadness you should have bought it back in the 2nd inning. Besides, who in their right mind is going to give a 4 year old SUGAR at 10.30 at night? !?
Anyway, second issue and MAJOR pet peeve of mine… Yes, I realize we’re in Arizona. Yes, I realize we’re 3 hours from Mexico. Yes, I realize many people move from Mexico to live in America… but no, we do not speak spanish here and we’re not required. No, I don’t speak spanish. No, you shouldn’t assume I do because I’m “brown” or, in other words, “look like I should.” Also, if you can speak english, perfect english (or at least good enough english) then speak it! Here’s what happened…. story time:
A man comes up to the stand, asks for some lemonade. Sounds innocent enough, except he asked in spanish. It had already been a long day and so I just ignored the fact he asked in spanish and I just answered in english. He then proceedes to ask for a specific flavor (in spanish) and I again answer in english. He finally gets the point and finishs our transaction in english. Btw, he speaks english as well as I do with hardly any accent. When he leaves he says, “Why didn’t you just answer me back in Spanish? You obviously understand it.” “I’m sorry sir, but I don’t speak spanish, I just understood what you were asking for because we get a lot of spanish speakers here.” “Well, you’re mexican right? You should speak spanish.” “Actually sir, I’m half mexican, and no I shouldn’t. We live in America where the official language is english. You shouldn’t presume that someone speaks spanish just because they ‘look’ like they should.” Man leaves stand with a look of disgust on his face. I believe we’ve lost a customer… lol.
The moral of the preceeding story? Don’t assume someone speaks a specific language just becuase they look like they should. Also, don’t be rude and expect someone to speak your native language, you’re in america, we speak english, get over it or go home!
Ok, this all probably sounds like i’m going overboard on a small issue, but it seriously happens to me on a daily basis and you should see the looks of disgust i get from people when they realize I don’t speak spanish and I look mexican. It drives me crazy. I have been to many countries where they don’t speak english and I have NEVER once assumed that anyone spoke english nor have I expected someone to know how to speak english to make it “easier” on myself. I find that to be extremely rude and even offensive (given I am half mexican and my dad’s family all grew up speaking spanish only, but they don’t go around assuming people speak spanish or that they should speak spanish or that things should be done for them in spanish, blah blah blah).
Alright… I figure i’ve beat this issue to death, but I just had to get it off my chest. I have another game tonight… hopefully it’s better than yesterday!