[Crimson Dynamo]

Rude. Speak english and leave the other language for outside work

[Gstar]

I don't mind/care

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

If it was me and another Brit working in another country I would speak to them in English if the convo was between ourselves.... I think there's some paranoia at play here

Basically this. It's just a convenience thing.

[Ninastar]

If they did it all the time with no intentions of speaking to you/others in english, then I could see it being an issue. If it was the occasional conversation, I wouldn't mind. I would love to learn a second language (esp spanish), so if I was in a situation where I could pick up some of the basic phrases and stuff, I'd be very happy!

[Kizzy]

Some context wouldn't go amiss.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Chaos

If they did it all the time with no intentions of speaking to you/others in english, then I could see it being an issue. If it was the occasional conversation, I wouldn't mind. I would love to learn a second language (esp spanish), so if I was in a situation where I could pick up some of the basic phrases and stuff, I'd be very happy!

https://www.duolingo.com/

Merry Christmas!

[Crimson Dynamo]

who are these foreigners anyway

are they local?

[Jake.]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Some context wouldn't go amiss.

What context would you like? I wasn't referring to one situation in particular.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Jake.

What context would you like? I wasn't referring to one situation in particular.

The only situation I can think of here is there's a guy who works in the same building as us and he's Polish, everyday when the Courier guy comes in (who is also Polish) they usually have a chat in Polish. I have no idea what they're talking about and it doesn't bother me in the slightest, usually I'd just be thinking oh it must be nice for them to be able to have a chat in their native tongue during the day

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Jake.

What context would you like? I wasn't referring to one situation in particular.

Well what are they doing at the time.. working, on a break, in a mixed nationality group, between two people, What's the main gripe?
Without some idea of the situation it's impossible to say if it's appropriate or not.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

The only situation I can think of here is there's a guy who works in the same building as us and he's Polish, everyday when the Courier guy comes in (who is also Polish) they usually have a chat in Polish. I have no idea what they're talking about and it doesn't bother me in the slightest, usually I'd just be thinking oh it must be nice for them to be able to have a chat in their native tongue during the day

..they're probably saying...I wonder what this TiBB thing is that she's always on ...

[LemonJam]

Where I used to work there was a guy who frequently spoke Punjabi and used it to talk **** about fellow staff members, customers etc. One time in the staff room he was speaking Punjabi to fellow speakers so he could deliberately isolate the people who didn't speak it from the conversation. Other people replied in English to help us be part of the conversation but he kept asking them "Why are you speaking English?" It's a shame because otherwise it's never really been an issue for me but it's people with that sort of attitude that make it into an issue.

[Ashley.]

When I'm in Spain I speak English unless I'm talking to a Spanish person or a Spanish person is included in the conversation. Why should I speak in Spanish to my English friend just because of the country we are in? It works both ways, whether in work or outside of work. It doesn't bother me at all.

[joeysteele]

Doesn't bother me and I don't agree with the post that says it is because they are talking about 'English or other UK citizens.
I see nothing to get worked up about at all on this.

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

There have been times in France where people have heard me speak English and gone on to say something that they presume I can't understand. It doesn't happen often but it has happened. From the few small experiences I've had though, I think its less common than we think it is.

Thanks Red. It may not be common - I wouldn't know- but as with everything, I can only go on my own direct experience and it HAS happened to me more than once, but there are only the two examples where I recognised what they WERE saying.

[JoshBB]

Originally Posted by Firewire

Not an issue if it's not a conversation that I'm part of since I shouldn't be eavesdropping anyway

This.

If I went to another country, I would attempt to use the language but probably fail and revert to English so I understand if they would chose to speak to their friends in their own.

[Drew.]

Was with a Lithuanian couple today who both work together and they kept talking in their language with each other but it seemed to be much easier for them to communicate rather than being rude or anything like that.

[jennyjuniper]

I've lived in Denmark for nearly 30 years and am fluent in Danish, although I still speak it with a bit of an accent. Strangers usually can tell that I'm not Danish and usually start talking in English, because they love to practise!! However in the workplace I always spoke Danish.'The thing that ticks me off is not really people speaking in their own language, but people speaking on their mobiles, when moments before they were having a conversation with me.