[muzicgrl]

Do you think its rude to speak in a foreign language (ie foreign to the country you are in) to others in the workplace or a social setting when other individuals who cant speak that language are there?

 

[Martin]

No

 

[muzicgrl]

What if there is only one person who doesnt speak the foreign language present and therefore they are excluded from all conversations?

 

[Martin]

It is certainly inconvenient, but it is not rude.<br><br>
You can ask, you can leave.

 

[muzicgrl]

Umm one cant really leave at work. <img alt="confused.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/confused.gif">

 

[Martin]

I thought you were talking about a meeting.<br><br>
I've worked in several multilingual environments. Doesn't bother me when people speak amongst themselve in their language. If it includes information I need to know (in a meeting), I ask or I leave. Yes, I've done it.

 

[muzicgrl]

The background on this by the way is that most of my coworkers are German (and my boss just hired another German). They always speak German to each other at work. It annoys me a little because it seems exclusive but my other non-German (Turkish) coworker gets pissed...

 

[Martin]

Turks don't like Germans. It's more than the language.

 

[muzicgrl]

I just tell them that I intend to learn German so I will know when they are talking shit about me! I dont really think they are talking shit about me though. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Martin]

I can teach you a few swear words in French!

 

[imgomer]

I thought you just got your nails done. <img alt="tongue1.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/tongue1.gif">

 

[muzicgrl]

In that case...I KNOW they are talking shit about me. The pointing and laughing always gives it away!

 

[maccabeth]

Pas de tout, n'est-ce pas Martin? <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">

 

[Martin]

Beth, je crois que Muzicgrl (malgré ses ongles fraîchement peints) sans fait pour rien. Ils doivent parler de football ou de bière!

 

[maccabeth]

T'as vachement raison! Je connais bien les allemands et je ne crois pas qu'ils parleront de Muzicgrl! <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">

 

[muzicgrl]

You had best be saying how wonderful and amazing I am. Or else...

 

[Martin]

Et après avoir vu toutes ces photos de Muzicgrl, ils doivent surtout parler d'elle en bien et se demande leque d'entre eux osera l'inviter à prendre un verre en premier.

 

[maccabeth]

Très bien joué! Et pour effet... <img alt="uhoh2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/uhoh2.gif">

 

[Martin]

Je fais beaucoup de fautes ce soir.

 

[muzicgrl]

I know where the online translators are you two! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">