# I hate being that white guy, but learn English! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 22, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033 "2019-08-22T00:30:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/1 "2019-08-22T00:30:25Z")
As some of you know, I currently reside in a nursing and rehabilitation home. The state is on management to hire more nurses and aides because it’s woefully understaffed, but it’s a shifty place to work so, rather than improving conditions so they can retain good help they are hiring people who almost entirely lack the ability to speak and understand English, to the extent that they are, I suspect, unable to order lunch at McDonald’s, and certainly not on the first try and without pointing and hand signals. At a different job in a different industry that would not be that big of a deal, but here they are treating the elderly who are often deaf and/or demented and whose problems can be life threatening if they are unable to communicate with the staff. Today I was trying to work with three women, an RN and two CNAs, the complete day crew, who understood each other in Hindi but couldn’t understand me, speaking slowly and non-idiomatically. There are few of their co-workers and fewer residents who speak Hindi so you can see where the problem lies. I feel sorry for these women who moved to another country to pursue their professions, only to be bitched about by some Yankee asshole, but this is a safety problem. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/2 "2019-08-22T00:45:34Z")
Not sure why you are pitting the nurses when the problem is conditions at the facility and the labor supply of people willing to work that job. If they didn’t apply for the job until they spoke fluent English, you think you’d have a fluent qualified RN for you? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/3 "2019-08-22T00:52:52Z")
You could maybe pick up a little espanol, too. Do you have any spare time? That wouldn’t be the end of the world. Sounds like you might as well, if your other option is to get pissed off and not be able to otherwise do anything about it. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/4 "2019-08-22T01:07:45Z")
Actually, learning Spanish is a great idea! I have enough time. Thanks, and my many Hispanic friends will appreciate the chance to be condescending toward me. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/5 "2019-08-22T01:14:55Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Not sure why you are pitting the nurses when the problem is conditions at the facility and the labor supply of people willing to work that job. If they didn’t apply for the job until they spoke fluent English, you think you’d have a fluent qualified RN for you? Not really. This is a growth industry. When the state visits some of the staff, rather than getting new name tags printed, choose malicious compliance by writing their names on bandage tape or big, square Bandaids. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/6 "2019-08-22T01:15:04Z")
Had no idea there was that Hindi/Hispanic crossover thing going on. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/7 "2019-08-22T01:15:35Z")
When I took a few years worth of Spanish in high school, there was one Mexican girl that I worked with at McDonalds wo would giggle and be quite impressed at how “proper” my Spanish was. Knock 'em dead! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/8 "2019-08-22T01:19:13Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Had no idea there was that Hindi/Hispanic crossover thing going on. I was thinking the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/9 "2019-08-22T01:29:59Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > When I took a few years worth of Spanish in high school, there was one Mexican girl that I worked with at McDonalds wo would giggle and be quite impressed at how “proper” my Spanish was. Knock 'em dead! She was giggling because what you _thought_ you were saying is not what you were _actually_ saying. You’re lucky you didn’t get slapped. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/10 "2019-08-22T01:32:02Z")
Regarding Hindi/Spanish: In my defense, I got bored a few sentences in and never made it to the Hindi part, and just assumed that if Dropzone couldn’t understand the nurses then they were speaking Spanish. It was either that, or Polish. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/11 "2019-08-22T01:32:26Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I was thinking the same thing. So was i, but since I’m unlikely to learn Hindi, I’m going with it. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/12 "2019-08-22T01:45:22Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Regarding Hindi/Spanish: > In my defense, I got bored a few sentences in and never made it to the Hindi part, and just assumed that if Dropzone couldn’t understand the nurses then they were speaking Spanish. It was either that, or Polish. No, I can order lunch in Espanol. Polski requires my tongue to move in unnatural directions. Both, combined with passable English, would be helpful here. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/13 "2019-08-22T01:48:13Z")
I’m guess if they could, they would respond with, “Pay us some more more money and we will.” ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/14 "2019-08-22T01:59:42Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I’m guess if they could, they would respond with, “Pay us some more more money and we will.” Management could give them free English lessons. Of course, that raises costs, so they won’t do that. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/15 "2019-08-22T02:04:55Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > Management could give them free English lessons. Of course, that raises costs, so they won’t do that. If they’re free, how can that raise costs? :flees: ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/16 "2019-08-22T02:07:30Z")
They are so cheap that they have stopped including salt, pepper, and sugar packs with meals. I’m waiting for the sheriff to shut it down. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/17 "2019-08-22T02:10:56Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > So was i, but since I’m unlikely to learn Hindi, I’m going with it. Same. * * * I swear to god I’m sending you some packets of stuff. I hoard packets of food things. How do feel about Sonic mustard? Got lots of that.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/18 "2019-08-22T02:15:03Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Actually, learning Spanish is a great idea! I have enough time. > > Thanks, and my many Hispanic friends will appreciate the chance to be condescending toward me. Rest assured they probably are already, but now you can be certain of it. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/19 "2019-08-22T02:19:33Z")
Sounds like you are the minority at work. Break out the Bollywood movies. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033/20 "2019-08-22T02:59:52Z")
I find it rather odd that an RNA or CNA, with a license in the US, cannot readily understand and express themselves in English. > [@Isamu](#): > > Sounds like you are the minority at work. Break out the Bollywood movies. I wish I could do that in my office! I love me some Bollywood. (Hey, since the town’s changed its name to _Mumbai_, shouldn’t that now be _Mollywood_?) (ETA: What do you know? There’s already a film industry called [Mollywood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malegaon#Mollywood_(film_industry_of_Malegaon)).) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-that-white-guy-but-learn-english/839033.md?page=2)