My mother taught me Spanish basics when I was very young. Right around the first grade. I took an interest studying it from about 6th grade up through my junior year of high school. Myself and another kid in our grade were the only two to advance passed a class (starting us in Spanish 2 our freshmen year). I always sat next to Ray (an ESL student I got along with). I helped him with his English and he would help me with Spanish.
Years pass and my not being engulfed in the language hurt my ability to speak fluently and still I cannot quite nail it like I used to. When I moved to Dallas I met several men from the Latino community - you know the ones that speak Spanish in front of you as often as they can so you’ll get confused as to when they’re talking about you and when they just wish to pay honor to their heritage. I didn’t let them know I could understand them perfectly until about the second time around them and not only was their reaction completely unexpected it was a little rude (if you ask me). They rolled their eyes; went right to speaking more proper Spanish (like Spaniards); talked faster; turned away from me; then started in with white people and their intrusive traditions. Saying “I was part of a history of people taking away from people like them and now was invading them by speaking their language.”
WTF - I have never once used a derogatory term about a Latino; ever wished them harm; supported their illegal citizenships; and extended only curious and genuine kindness. So this to me is like fire under my ass.
Our schools require we learn your language and the majority of us are nice if not at least respectful of immigrants and non-english speaking southerners. Yet; they’re types that will pretend to know now english whatsoever; the type to never talk to you or address you in your own language; the ones who really just are lost; and these A$$ holes. They called me names I wouldn’t have expected considering our fist meeting.
I went from craving latin love to wishing their kind a safe journey as the swim across the pacific to anywhere but here.
So lemme see if I follow.
You studied Spanish in high school.
Two guys thought they were having a private conversation.
You knew they thought they were having a private conversation.
You horned in on their private conversation.
You horned in not because you’re friends with these guys, but because you saw a chance to practice Spanish and figured these two guys would of course want to help you, because reasons.
They didn’t want to help you; astonishingly, they decided to continue their private conversation.
They were irked at you.
You respond with a post full of weird passive-aggressive stuff that looks a lot like racism despite your denials (“Latin love”? wtf? “their kind”? barely even crypto) and maybe even wishes for death (although it’s totally unclear what you’re talking about with your swim across the Pacific business).
You’re wondering if you went too far.
I read the thread title; I saw the OP’s handle; I noted that there had been four responses.
Before I clicked on it I would have SWORN that at least two of those were going to say “reported.” And that the OP was going to consist entirely of links to sites where I could watch Serbo-Croatian soccer matches via a live-stream of dubious provenance.
I can’t really say for certain that the reality turned out to be an improvement.
There’s a chain of Mexican-food restaurants in Bangkok called Sunrise Tacos. American-owned and -operated. (The owner is an American lawyer, and he also has a law practice here.) They have quite a few good salsas, I’ll clue ya.
In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, tomatillo, and salt to taste. Mix well. Add 1/2 of a jalapeno pepper, and taste. If you desire your salsa with more of a kick, add the remaining 1/2 jalapeno.
