Need to vent...

thesupermonkey · May 2002

Normally, I'm a pretty tolerant person. I live by the "Do what you want, live how you like, but don't bother me" policy. Lately though something has been bothering me greatly. A few days ago I went to the Cafeteria downstairs from my job and ordered a sandwich. In a very clear voice I say "No Mayo, thank you". What does she do? She reaches for the Mayo of course, so I figure she didn't hear me and I repeat "NO Mayo, thanks". She nods and begins putting gobs of Mayo all over my sandwich. I say again much louder (loud enough that a few people standing next time me look in my direction) "I don't want any Mayo, thank you". She nods says "Yes" and puts more Mayo on. When she finally finishes and tries to hand me the sandwich, I politely say, "No thank you, I'll have one WITHOUT Mayonnaise." Now she looks confused, "No Compreda?". Finally someone who works in the back who understands English redoes my sandwich, and I go about the rest of my day. As I'm driving home that night I decide to stop by the local Wendy's. I pull up to the next window after paying, and after I'm handed my food, I say "Could I have some extra hot sauce please?". I'm handed ketchup. I say "No, not KETCHUP, HOT... SAUCE". When I'm given mustard, I say "forget it and drive off." Now I'm irritated. A week goes by, I forget about it and the world is good again. Today I went down stairs to get a sandwich. I see a different girl working the station who seemed to understand so I thought 'THANK GOD'. The counter's positioned in such a way that you can't always see how they are preparing your food. When I get my sandwich up to my desk it's completely wrong. About the only part she got right was White Bread. That did it, I've hit the breaking point. I could list hundred of times this has happened, but it's always rolled off of my back. Apparently it's been collecting in my pockets because now it's not only unbearable it's insulting. If it happens again I have no doubt that the person who does so will be the object of a verbal barrage of explicatives so foul that all customers will leave the premises, even if the person responsible doesn't understand a word of it. 80 to 90% of the cafeteria staff is hispanic, and I have no problem with that. What I do have a problem with are these board jumping yahoos who come to my country illegally, steal (And yes it is STEALING) jobs from my fellow Americans and don't even have the god **** common courtesy to learn the language. Soon, schools will have a mandated course in spanish just so that you'll be able to order your food and pay for gas. Maybe its time for me to visit Mexico. They might be speaking English there because they certainly aren't speaking it here.
The Pissed Munkey

Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.

Edited by - thesupermonkey on 05/09/2002 13:13:49

thesupermonkey · May 2002

My youngest brother had petitioned NYC Family Court to increase his visitation time with his twelve year old son. My brother has a blood cancer and wants to make the best of it.

He received a letter from the female Family court judge that stated he would need a letter from his doctor stating when he will die....I kid you not, he just emailed me a copy of the letter. I hope this karma thing is true and the judge gets hers.[:(!][xx(][V]

GreenLantern · May 2002

I hear ya man! Same thing happens to me at the subway near where I work. Ever seen a McDonalds in an airport? English will definately be the second language for everyone working there.

robsguns · May 2002

supermonkey,
Dang man, you really are ticked aren't you? I can relate to the situation. I also agree with you completely. I dont have any advise except this, bring a lunch. I dont see things changing any time soon.

SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

offeror · May 2002

If this happens in a business, I'd give the manager a call afterward and say, "look, I realize that person needs a job, but could you put her somewhere where she doesn't have to communicate with your customers. This is a big customer satisfaction issue with me and I'm sorry she doesn't speak better English but she when she doesn't talk she makes you guys look unfriendly and when she has a problem with the change or something she can't even explain or say excuse me or anything, which really looks bad for you. The point at which your business contacts your customers is critical and you really need to have somebody there who communicates well or I'm going to have to take my business to somebody who does."

I'm having that problem with a Russian cashier at the local Walgreen's pharmacy right now and I've debated having that conversation a couple of times. I'm waiting to see if it gets any better, but it may come to the phone call yet. In general, I think the most effective way to deal with this in any setting is a word in management's ear. It may not always work, but sometimes it will make a difference. Of course, don't do this unless you're willing to cost someone their job, because if management has no place else to put them they'll have to replace them.

- Life NRA Member
If dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878

pikeal1 · May 2002

Munkey, I feel for you. I know exactly how it is. My parents are both Cuban, and I speak fluent spanish, but when something like that happens, I refuse to speak their language just to get my point across. People really do need to learn the language and stop expecting US Americans to learn theirs. At my job I have people who call in and say that they couldn't understand their contracts because they are written in english and they don't speak the language. I hold no punches when talking to these * and tell them that in this country the language is English and they are responsible for learning it if they plan on living here. they don't say much after that.

I guess just keep your head up and let the supervisors of these people know how you feel. I like to praise people for a job well done, but I will also not let a bad employee go without notice.

Alex

lazywallrus · May 2002

Monkey , I feel your pain , I recently moved to New Mexico from Detroit. Just when I fiured out Ebonics( The recognized African-american language that is even being taught in Det. public schools ) I have to learn spanish or enough to get by. Im Italian and have dark skin so Im often mistaken for Hispanic. So hispanic people usually dont even try speaking english to me and all I can say in return is " No abla" . It frustrated me at first, but why get upset over somthing you have no control over? So my attitude now is if you cant beat'em join'em. I think im going to take a spanish class at the local community college. As far as people who work in the fast food industry they are mentally challenged to begin with regardless of their ethnicity, the way I see it atleast they are working and not sitting at home collecting welfare.

aglore · May 2002

Now go down to your local welfare office and grab one of them Americans that needs a job and drag their lazy a%% down to that cafeteria and tell them to hire him now.

AlleninAlaska aglore@gci.net

How would you rather die, 10,000 foot pounds of muzzle energy in the BUTT or a sharp knife in the HEART?

badboybob · May 2002

I agree with you Monkey. That's one reason I never go to a fast food place unless there is no other choice. The other reasons are: terrible food (mcdonalds), dirty restaurants (hardy's), rip off menus (burger king croisantwich, which has nothing on it) and lousy service (most of them). When I travel I make my own sandwiches and they are better and cheaper. And the cook spicks da englis.

PC=BS

Edited by - badboybob on 05/09/2002 15:09:31

mudge · May 2002

Monkey..LAUNCH!!!....other than that...how are ya'?
All kidding aside...IMWICHU
LAZYWALLRUS.....I know enough espanol to get by in Mexico but I'll be damned if I'm gonna' use it here in the U.S. just to keep them from having to learn english. I go to a foreign country, I learn enough of their language to get by. (Except Germany. The worst language I've EVER tried to learn. Welch is easier and they don't have any vowels.)They come here, they learn mine.

Mudge the cunning linguist
(Did I say that right?)

I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!

concealedG36 · May 2002

First, lazywalrus, you are right on there. I've been working in Downtown Detroit for a few years now and I swear I've learned another language. It cracks me up, I can understand English, German AND ebonics now!

Anyway, thesupermonkey, I sympathize with your situation. I don't even bother making special orders in town anymore, cause they'll never get it right and I just get frustrated. Try either packing your own lunch (what I do now) or order the prepackaged deal. If you must eat in the cafeteria, perhaps you could be a real smart * and write your order in Espanol in * letters on a piece of poster board!

Or, show em your Jennings with home boy night sights and mini-bayo (or was that no bayo?)!

Gun Control Disarms Victims, NOT Criminals

njretcop · May 2002

Monkey, it got so bad here in Joisey that I have taken to carrying cue cards in my car. I have cards with a picture of a ketchup bottle, mustard, mayo, salt and pepper.........you get the idea, lol.

-Charlie

"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com

Edited by - njretcop on 05/09/2002 15:34:13

whiteclouder · May 2002

Guys, guys, guys, guys guys. Of mayo on your sandwich is your most serious problem, or even honorable mention, you ought to get down on your knees and thank someone, anyone.

Clouder..

Mercury · May 2002

You guys are missing the point here.....the reason that we have non-english speakers working in these jobs is because the people who DO speak english DON'T WANT THOSE JOBS!!!!

I have a retail business......you can't hardly find *anyone* competent to work for less than $10/hour......english speaking or not!

Welcome to the future.

Merc

NO! You may not have my guns! Now go crawl back into your hole!

****************************************

"Tolerating things you may not necessarily like is part of being free" - Larry Flynt

Rembrandt · May 2002

Monkey's eat "BANANA'S"....not sandwichs, don't try to alter the rules of nature....besides, who would ever respect the wishes of a person that carries a Jennings outfitted like yours?....heehee I'm sorry, had to chuckle, the same thing has happened to me many times.

simonbs · May 2002

HEY MISTER GORILLA! You're supposed to be on a diet! PUT THAT MESSED UP SANDWHICH DOWN AND GET YOUR GLUTIUS MAXIMUS BACK ON THAT TREADMILL!

I'm not afraid of the dark...the dark is afraid of me!

borderguy · May 2002

Por que no quiero Espanol? As someone who has worked here on the sourthern land border for several years. All I can say is, I beleive the nest Port of Entry will be built around Irvine, just a little south of Disneyland.

joeaf1911a1 · May 2002

Whiteclouder: If you ordered a 2" barreled revolver and recieved a
6" barreled, would you thank someone?? Not me. Either do a good job
or quit if you cant do it and go home and learn. America! love it
and learn, or leave it and go home. Dont try to change us to other
ways.

Hans Grueber · May 2002

Just like Saxon said, what really bothers me is when you have this problem with people who can speak english. You just feel like tellin' 'em to lay of the pipe in the morning. But keep in mind, these people are alone with yer food before you eat it. Happy dining!
-Hans

Edited by - Hans Grueber on 05/09/2002 19:16:35

He Dog · May 2002

Like this is new? When the Italians came in big numbers, the first generation did not speak English or very little, difference was they were in a ghetto not right out there with everyone, so a lot of people didn't notice. Munkey if this is the worst problem you have, man you got the world by the tail! Monkey tail that is.

CAndres35 · May 2002

Mercury: dont be so cheap,pay aliving wage. you need 10.00 an hour to survive. hell my neighbor boy wants 25.00 to mow my grass,that takes 20 min.. figure that out per hr,and then he wants to use my mower and my gas.

davcon · May 2002

Every sunday night I order pizza. Some times it's pizza and wings. A couple weeks back I called to place my order and the conversation went like this.

Me: I want to get a large pizza with sausage and pepperoni...

Guy on Phone: Hold on (he sets phone down)

Him: Ok, what did you need?

Me: I need a large with pepperoni and sausage...

Him: Hang on, what's your address?

Me: Gives address, I also need 10 mild wings

Him: This for delivery?

Me: Yeah

Him: That only comes to $4.95, we need a $7.00 order to deliver

Me: You mean a pizza and wings only comes to $4.95?

Him: You wanted a pizza too?

Me: Yeah, I told you that. A large with sausage and pepperoni.

Him: Ok. Let me get your total. (comes back with total)

Me: You got the wings with that right?

Him: Yeah, I got the whole order, a large pizza with sausage and pepperoni and 10 MEDIUM wings.

Me: No, I wanted ten mild wings.

Him: Thats what I said, 10 mild wings.

even people that speak english don't hear a word you say

Bullzeye · May 2002

I've learned from experience that you are most likely to get lousy service, lousy English, and lousy food at inner-city and highway rest area chain restaurants.

I had a particularly nasty experience with a Burger King entirely staffed by Bantu-speaking African immigrants on the MassPike one time.

Apparently in Lower Eritrea it's common practice to handle meat with the hands you just picked your nose with.

Mercury · May 2002

Candres,
I start most of my people out at $7-8/hour. In Tucson, that is decent money to START OUT. The "living wage" for Tucson is considered $8 per hour. Living wages are what ADULTS should be making, not 16 year olds with no experience.

Merc (who treats his employees better than just about ANY employer! (their words!))

NO! You may not have my guns! Now go crawl back into your hole!

****************************************

"Tolerating things you may not necessarily like is part of being free" - Larry Flynt

offeror · May 2002

I just acquired a rather expensive program for my computer called Naturally Speaking that allows all commands and dictation to be given vocally by microphone. When you set it up, there are two choices, natural English and "teen." Need I say more?

As for the foreign language issue, all I can say is when you're in business, good communication is everything, and every expert I hear on good business practice talks about the critical impression every customer contact point makes, whether it's reception desk, telephone help desk, support or sales.

- Life NRA Member
If dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878

RockinU · May 2002

I've got to tell you, I prefer Spanish to Ebonics...of course I can understand enough Spanish to get by in most instances, but that other stuff is beyond my comprehension.

One worse than that, when I was in college I had to Q-drop an Organic Chem. class because I never could understand the prof, and he was supposedly speaking English. I think he was Indian (not the kind with the feathers and breechclouts). Poor kid that sat next to me was so tired of me asking "What did he just say" every 45 seconds.

SXSMAN · May 2002

This reminds me of a story.

Once upon a time there was an icecream store and a man went into it for some icecream.

"I'll have two scoops of chocolate on a waffle cone"
Sorry sir,we're out of chocolate said the clerk.

"Well I'll have a chocolate malt then".
Sir,we use chocolate icecream in that also.

"Well just make me a chocolate shake then"
The clerk is miffed.

Sir can you spell the van in vanilla?
"V-A-N" he replies.

Sir,can you spell the straw in strawberry?
"S-T-R-A-W" The man replies.

Good,now can you spell the f#ck in chocolate ?
The man thinks a moment and says

"Wait a minute,there IS no f#ck in chocolate "!

That's what I've been trying to tell you,says the clerk

Clouder is right,don't sweat the little things and give thanks to the things that make life sweeter.

Have guns,will travel

Lowrider · May 2002

Eight bucks per hour is a living wage? Get real. That wouldn't pay my bar tab. I just hired two college students for the summer at 12 dollars per hour and felt guilty about that.

I earned almost six dollars per hour working at Boeing in 1967. So has the cost of living only increased 33% in the past 35 years?

Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.

azgunnut2@yahoo.com · May 2002

Hers a good twist on this one : while living in Tucson Az for 4 years
my wife worked at the biggest hotel in town as a front desk clerk...
the "wetbacks" would come in and just start ratteling off the
spanish , and if some-one said , No Understand , they would laugh and
continue on....After some time of this , my wife found a way to
"break" them of this little annoying enjoyment ...when they started
this "spanish onslaught" , she would look them in the face and start
in with the "German" (she speaks it fluently),they would always then
start speaking "English" (with a shocked look on their faces), and she would always ask , But dont You speak German ????? Ha!Ha!Ha!

loan shark · May 2002

Used to be a Kentucky Fried Chicken store around the corner when we lived in Houston. Went there for those late night munchies. Got to be so bad we would just drive up to the order screen and ask for $9.00 worth of food because no matter what we ordered, we got what they decided we should have. Still cracks me up. There is a commercial out about the guy trying to order at the window and the person ordering can't understand what the store guy is saying. Reminds me of our old chicken place.

Need to vent...

Comments