Rickson said:There was no need for Safin to bust out his Spanish with the Portuguese chair umpire who has no problem with his English. Safin struck up a few conversations in Spanish with the umpire to show off and I found it sickening.
The chair umpire speaks English and so does Safin. I was sickened because there was no need to speak Spanish to him at all. I speak Spanish, but don't speak it to my latin friends because I don't want to offend them. If the umpire didn't speak English at all, it might have been understandable, but his English is just as good as his Spanish, if not better.Chopin said:Why did it sicken you?
Rickson said:but his English is just as good as his Spanish, if not better.
The umpire's from Portugal. Why would his Spanish be better than his English?Greg said:Highly doubtful.
bc-05 said:no it doesnt.. we cant understand it so what? safin should speak english.. we never know what he's saying to the umpire.. what if he say hey gimme a point and ill b*** u later
You again? Just get your ass out of here, loser.Gatsby007 said:That's just ridiculous. I have to chime in...Rickson, you have just clinched the "biggest bag" award for '05 and it's only Feb 1.... "Biggest Bag O' ******" that is
Now that makes a lot of sense. Finally, a sensible poster steps up. Quadruple A and bc-05 have made the most sense so far.AAAA said:The umpire was Portuguese. Was Safin speaking Portuguese?
bb47 said:Phil, speaking to you foreign friends in their native language may be either flattering or arrogant, depending on situation. If they start speaking English - do not switch to their language if you know it well. They might think that you do not like their English and think that your {Spanish} is better. It will be even worse if your {Spanish} is not 100 per cent. But if you are the first to choose the language and speak fluent - go for their native one - they will be impressed and flattered. Well? that's obvious, sorry if it looks like a lesson.
Phil said:No apologies necessary for your "lesson". It's a judgement call, really. If you speak Spanish (or any language) WELL, but your friend chooses to start off the conversation in English, then of course you stay with English. And if YOU start the conversation in your friend's native language, that's really the language that should follow, and in most cases, your friends APPRECIATE the opportunity to speak with a foreigner who is conversant in their language. I haven't offended anyone yet by following these simple rules. And don't forget, ettiquette has to work BOTH ways. I've followed this rule of thumb for many years and find that it works. International communication/cultural exchange is as much about common sense as it is about knowledge of the language/culture.
Either you or your friends need to work on that situation as it is absurd.Rickson said:I speak Spanish, but don't speak it to my latin friends because I don't want to offend them.
TheNatural said:'sickening' ? How can something as harmless as speaking another language, have such an impact on you?
I give Marat his just due for his victory over Roger, but the Spanish was still unnecessary. Roger's gonna win the French.Nosoupforyou said:Rickson's just pissed off at Safin for beating Federer. This was his best attempt to discredit Safin.
Rickson said:I give Marat his just due for his victory over Roger, but the Spanish was still unnecessary. Roger's gonna win the French.
Roger's from Switzerland and he's playing in front of a French crowd. Marat was playing in front of Australians. Marat had no reason whatsoever to carry on a Spanish conversation with a Portuguese official other than to show off. Roger will probably give his championship speech in English and French.Rabbit said:But wait....let's say Federer does win the French this year. Would he be showing off if he addressed the crowd in French ala Safin? Should he address the crowd in, I don't know, Afrikaaner as not to offend them? Inquiring minds want to know.
Rickson said:Roger's from Switzerland and he's playing in front of a French crowd. Marat was playing in front of Australians. Marat had no reason whatsoever to carry on a Spanish conversation with a Portuguese official other than to show off. Roger will probably give his championship speech in English and French.
Rickson said:Roger's from Switzerland and he's playing in front of a French crowd. Marat was playing in front of Australians. Marat had no reason whatsoever to carry on a Spanish conversation with a Portuguese official other than to show off. Roger will probably give his championship speech in English and French.
fedRickson said:Roger's from Switzerland and he's playing in front of a French crowd. Marat was playing in front of Australians. Marat had no reason whatsoever to carry on a Spanish conversation with a Portuguese official other than to show off. Roger will probably give his championship speech in English and French.
rhubarb said:Not really a fair comparison there (I know you were only responding to Rabbit). Marat gave his speech in English; he only spoke to the umpire in Spanish. It's more akin to Roger speaking German to an umpire at Roland Garros.
Trust me, chad. Many posters here feel you're more than a bit "tweaked".chad shaver said:Rickson,
I speak Spanish as well, and my Spanish speaking friends have NEVER been offended by my Spanish.
Regarding everything else you said: I always thought you were a bit tweaked, but THIS takes it to a new level.