Dudes dating girls who don't speak english.

[stephen_c]

Originally Posted by Revolver

but at least learn the fucking words to OH CANADA and tell me what a powerplay is!!

so very misinformed.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizen/look/look-21e.html

Citizenship Test: Questions
scroll down...
[2] What song is Canada’s national anthem?
[3] Give the first two lines of Canada’s national anthem.

so u see, most immigrants do kno the Canadian anthem.
well, at least the first 2 lines :)

as for powerplay, the possibilities are endless,
but i am guessin 2 happy hockey players
before the hike up brokeback mountain.

my friend, next time ur in richmond,
may i suggest u get to kno ur fellow Canadians.
talk to them. interact w/ them.
they're ordinary ppl like u and me.
u'll be greeted w/ the same good attitude u give them.

[Revolver]

Originally Posted by stephen_c

so very misinformed.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizen/look/look-21e.html

Citizenship Test: Questions
scroll down...
[2] What song is Canada’s national anthem?
[3] Give the first two lines of Canada’s national anthem.

so u see, most immigrants do kno the Canadian anthem.
well, at least the first 2 lines :)

as for powerplay, the possibilities are endless,
but i am guessin 2 happy hockey players
before the hike up brokeback mountain.

my friend, next time ur in richmond,
may i suggest u get to kno ur fellow Canadians.
talk to them. interact w/ them.
they're ordinary ppl like u and me.
u'll be greeted w/ the same good attitude u give them.

my god man you know how many people are living and working here without citizenship?

half of my co-workers arnt canadian citizens. majority of them including my sales manager, who is a citizen, dose not know the anthem.

mis-informed?...i think not sir. i speak from the heart and the EXPERIENCE wich has shaped it.

[stephen_c]

Originally Posted by Revolver

my god buddy you know how many people are living and working here without citizenship?

half of my co-workers arnt canadian citizens. majority of them including my sales manager, who is a citizen, dose not know the anthem.

i don't understand.
are u implying most chinese in Canada are illegal aliens?

[Revolver]

Originally Posted by stephen_c

i don't understand.
are u implying most chinese in Canada are illegal aliens?

not most...but too many.

[yoko*]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

Agreed... I want to make a Shirt with three simple Letters on it.

S.F.E.
Speak Fucking English!!!


Anyways, yeah, I don't get how two People with huge barriers between them verbally can have a relationship. I've always believed and been told that relationships are built upon communication...

You're right, relationships ARE built upon communication, but language isn't the sole basis for a good relaitonship. If it were, then all those speaking a common language would be getting along. But clearly, there is more which comprises the equation of a good relationship than just the languages spoken.
---------

Wow, a lot of the attitudes in this thread REALLY bother me, especially the "speak fucking english" bit.

I am proud to say that I speak, write and read both french AND english fluently, and I can sing the anthems of both languages. That's more than what most people who are unilingual and bitch about others who can't or don't speak English or FRENCH can probably do.

Even still, Japanese is just as much a native tongue to me as is english and is a huge part of my identity. Regardless of whether I am in Canada, Japan or in the Francophone areas of Canada I will continue to use all three where appropriate and when I feel like it. It really ticks me off to think that anyone thinks they have the right to tell me how I should be communicating to begin with, when no one has ownership or authority over this thing called "how people should communicate with each other in Canada". Isn't what's more important, how people treat each other, rather than what language people use to communicate?

Surely people should make an effort to communicate with each other when necessary but why should the effort be so one-sided? I mean, realistically there are just as many people who DON'T speak english or french as a first language as there are those who do.

[stephen_c]

Originally Posted by Revolver

not most...but too many.

i didn't kno that's what white ppl think of me, an illegal alien :(

[mapleleaf4ever]

Originally Posted by yoko*

You're right, relationships ARE built upon communication, but language isn't the sole basis for a good relaitonship. If it were then all those speaking a common language would be getting along. Clearly, there's more to relationships and communication than just one's language.
---------

Wow, a lot of the attitudes in this thread REALLY bother me, especially the "speak fucking english" bit.

I am proud to say that I speak, write and read both french AND english fluently, and can sing both anthems in both languages. That's more than what most people who are unilingual and bitch about others who can't or don't speak English or FRENCH can probably do.

Even still, Japanese is just as much a native tongue to me as is english and is a huge part of my identity. Regardless of whether I am in Canada, Japan or in the Francophone areas of Canada I will continue to use all three where appropriate and when I feel like it. It really ticks me off to think that anyone thinks they have the right to tell me how I should be communicating to begin with, when no one has ownership or authority over this thing called "how people should communicate with each other in Canada". Isn't what's more important, how people treat each other, rather than what language people use to communicate?

Surely people shoud make an effort to communicate with each other when necessary but why should the effort be so one-sided? Realistically there are just as many people who DON'T speak english or french as a first language as there are those who do.

Indeed! But being able to understand each other is a very important part.

It's good and actually something you should be proud of to be tri-lingual. I myself take great pride in the way I communicate. My English (I think) is excellent... alas I do not speak French, nor do I want to. But I am very conversational in German. I just think that if you are going to move to a Nation and not be able to carry about your Business without having to resort to pointing and making noises like a Caveman you should learn the lingo. If I moved to China, Japan or even Vietnam I would do all I could to learn their Language to the best of my ability. Is it too little to ask for People who come here to do the same? I worked at a Cold Beer and Wine Store in Surrey and had to deal with Senior Citizen East Indians who only barely could pronounce the words "Mickey" "Hello" and "How much?"... it's kind of sad when all you can do is point and make me feel like I'm on The Price is Right trying to figure out what they want.

[yoko*]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

Indeed! But being able to understand each other is a very important part.

It's good and actually something you should be proud of to be tri-lingual. I myself take great pride in the way I communicate. My English (I think) is excellent... alas I do not speak French, nor do I want to. But I am very conversational in German. I just think that if you are going to move to a Nation and not be able to carry about your Business without having to resort to pointing and making noises like a Caveman you should learn the lingo. If I moved to China, Japan or even Vietnam I would do all I could to learn their Language to the best of my ability. Is it too little to ask for People who come here to do the same? I worked at a Cold Beer and Wine Store in Surrey and had to deal with Senior Citizen East Indians who only barely could pronounce the words "Mickey" "Hello" and "How much?"... it's kind of sad when all you can do is point and make me feel like I'm on The Price is Right trying to figure out what they want.

Ok, I'm not disagreeing with you there, but as the post above suggests my problem is with the "speak fucking english" part which I absolutely don't agree with. I think people should communicate with whichever language they do so please... I dunno, maybe we do agree after all?

As for people who supposedly don't make an "effort" to learn the language...I think it would benefit us all if we were a little more sensitive to the non-english speaker's position.

I often feel that in the relationship between the non-english speaker and the english speaker, the english speaker tends to get a bit too focused about their own feelings of frustration. But I wonder if many people take the time to consider what a humuliating experience the non-english speaker goes through, not to mention the amount of racism and mockery that you face daily when you can't speak a language that others typically can. For the english speaker it's only a temporary frustration that they'll soon forget and get over, and at the end of the day they're still in the position of advantage because they CAN speak the dominant language. But for the non-english speaker, they are stuck with their inability to communicate on a DAILY basis... and even the simplest of tasks can be humiliating.

When my dad first came to Canada the only job he could get was at a gas station filling up on gas because he could not speak fluent english. I wonder if people assumed that he wasn't "making an effort" to learn english, even if he tried sooo hard.

He told me that one day when he was filling up on someone's gas, a man pointed to the ground and told him to "look at the sky". My dad didn't understand what was being said so he looked down at the ground. The man laughed at him.. and basically humiliated my father.

To me it sounds absurd that many english speakers are the ones who are offended, some almost sound like they think they are the victims in this situation. But man, I can't imagine that these people don't try and I can't even begin to imagine the kinds of humiliating experiences they go through on daily basis.

[stephen_c]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

If I moved to China, Japan or even Vietnam I would do all I could to learn their Language to the best of my ability. Is it too little to ask for People who come here to do the same?

u brought up something interesting.
did u kno the majority of caucasians in china, hong kong and taiwan
do not speak mandarin.
and the ones who *think* they do
is about the same level as apoo in the simpsons.
u would think that's a problem, a source of friction.
nope.
u see, this is the difference.
when a chinese in china come across a chinese speaking caucasian
they are pleasantly surprised
even if the guy sounds like a white apoo.
contrast that w/ Canada,
the atitude towards non-fluent english is not so friendly.
it's all about goodwill my friend.

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

I worked at a Cold Beer and Wine Store in Surrey and had to deal with Senior Citizen East Indians who only barely could pronounce the words "Mickey" "Hello" and "How much?"... it's kind of sad when all you can do is point and make me feel like I'm on The Price is Right trying to figure out what they want.

have a heart,
the guy's a senior citizen.
if they were under 40
then absolutely yes
they should communicate w/ u in at least 50% fluent english.

[mapleleaf4ever]

There are a lot of assholes in this World that purposely pick on People with a lesser grasp on English. I think it's stupid, it doesn't help them with their challenge at all. If the People are genuinely trying, I will help them. But the ones that bother me are the People that I know have been here for quite a long time and still are clueless.

The other way to look at it, is I bet you if you and I decided to move to say... Kazakhstan, you can almost bet that we'd be in the same situation and be bugged, taunted and humiliated. I wouldn't necessarily say that it's particular to English speaking People. More it's just Humans being Humans.

[mapleleaf4ever]

Originally Posted by stephen_c

u brought up something interesting.
did u kno the majority of caucasians in china, hong kong and taiwan
do not speak mandarin.
and the ones who *think* they do
is about the same level as apoo in the simpsons.
u would think that's a problem, a source of friction.
nope.
u see, this is the difference.
when a chinese in china come across a chinese speaking caucasian
they are pleasantly surprised
even if the guy sounds like a white apoo.
contrast that w/ Canada,
the atitude towards non-fluent english is not so friendly.
it's all about goodwill my friend.



have a heart,
the guy's a senior citizen.
if they were under 40
then absolutely yes
they should communicate w/ u in at least 50% fluent english.

But the ones that "think" they do have most likely put a lot of effort to get that far. Is it not appreciated that they are at least trying to speak the native language and fit in? I know when I was in Germany and I tried to speak German (I only had my Beginner German 11 level at the time) they were genuinely happy that I was making an effort. They even tried to help me.

I have a Heart, but I also only have so much patience. When a simple transaction that should take 2 minutes becomes a full on Game of Charades, I have to draw the line somewhere. Know what I'm sayin'?

[stephen_c]

Originally Posted by yoko*

He told me that one day when he was filling up on someone's gas, a man pointed to the ground and told him to "look at the sky". My dad didn't understand what was being said so he looked down at the ground. The man laughed at him.. and basically humiliated my father.

i've spoken to many Canadian asians a generation or two before us.
3 words always come up when they describe their lives in those days,
"second class citizen"

[stephen_c]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

But the ones that "think" they do have most likely put a lot of effort to get that far. Is it not appreciated that they are at least trying to speak the native language and fit in?

It most certainly is and that's what i wrote:

"when a chinese in china come across a chinese speaking caucasian
they are pleasantly surprised"

keyword "pleasantly"

[stephen_c]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

There are a lot of assholes in this World that purposely pick on People with a lesser grasp on English. I think it's stupid, it doesn't help them with their challenge at all. If the People are genuinely trying, I will help them. But the ones that bother me are the People that I know have been here for quite a long time and still are clueless.

The other way to look at it, is I bet you if you and I decided to move to say... Kazakhstan, you can almost bet that we'd be in the same situation and be bugged, taunted and humiliated. I wouldn't necessarily say that it's particular to English speaking People. More it's just Humans being Humans.

i understand what ur saying erik,
but Canada is a first world country,
kazakhstan is a third world country
we should rise way above their standards.

but agreed all this has more to do with human nature.

[mapleleaf4ever]

Hooray for Humanity! :)

[yoko*]

Originally Posted by Sequin (karma comment)

I'm not saying you "have my permission". I just think it's proper to keep as a family tradition.

What if roles were reversed and English eventually became an unofficial language, and chinese was the official language instead? What if someone came up to you, while you were holding a conversation that had NOTHING to do with them, and told you that you should keep your mouth shut because you're not speaking the dominannt language? What if they told you to "keep it in your family" cause you're clearly the minority here?

I"m curious to know what you think about francophone people? French speaking are becoming quite a minority, despite th officialness of the language. There are probably more people who can speak chinese than thos than can speak french as a whole. Should french people just "keep it in the family" too, or are they supposedly "acceptable" because a law loosely protects the language?

What a shallow attitude you have there.

[yoko*]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

The other way to look at it, is I bet you if you and I decided to move to say... Kazakhstan, you can almost bet that we'd be in the same situation and be bugged, taunted and humiliated. I wouldn't necessarily say that it's particular to English speaking People. More it's just Humans being Humans.

I don't disagree with you. Without a doubt this is likely to happen because being in a foreign country that speaks an entirely different language and being in a different culture is difficult for ANYONE. In some ways this is EXACTLY the point I was trying to make so I'm glad to see we're on the same page.

When someone comes from a different country it isn't JUST language that they have to adapt to. Language is the most obvious challenge but you also have to learn the social etiquette of that society and culture and often times that process of learning can be a humiliating one.

I guess what bothers me is that people tend to forget or cannot empathisize with how difficult it can be. It's hypocritical really. There are times when Canadians boast about the multiculturalism of our country yet at others, they turn their backs and start telling people what language they should be communicating in.

Doing business with people who cannot speak the same language as you IS challenging.. but such is life, especially in Canada. The ethnic and cultural composition of our country isn't going to change, if anything it'll probably become more diverse and mixed. Either you cross your arms, pout and refuse to adapt and accomodate to those changes or you open you mind and try to be the facilitator of the coversation instead of hindering it with a stubborn and closed off atittude.

[Gusto]

Originally Posted by stephen_c

i had to look that word up.
now i feel stupid.

it's from one of our official languages, man! learn it or move to another country.

[stephen_c]

^
my mom's in the uk.
please sir,
may i move to london?

[Gusto]

yeah you bet.

[prozac]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

I have a Heart, but I also only have so much patience. When a simple transaction that should take 2 minutes becomes a full on Game of Charades, I have to draw the line somewhere. Know what I'm sayin'?

Imagine how frustrating and embarassing it would be if every transaction in your day was a game of charades. Welcome to the life of someone trying to learn a second language.

[mojo]

Yoko for president !

We all need to realize that we, as a citizen of this country, should be proud that we have such a large "minority" population here! People dedicate their ives to coming here, starting over, finding somewhere to call their own, free of dicttors and tyrants. This is a great thing. Canada is nt going to close the borders again, so open your minds and hearts and get accustomed.

[Heffy]

I suppose theres always the international language of music....

lots and lots of hummers! LMAO!

[miss.myra]

Anyone ever travelled before? Or lived in a country where English wasn't the preferred language? I'm going to bet you felt pretty fucking relieved when in your life's daily transactions you came across someone you could speak english to.

Just because someone doesn't speak english or does a piss poor job of it doesn't mean they can't speak it. Haven't you ever felt too embarassed to speak in one of your second languages because you feel like you can't speak it well and you'd probably get mocked anyways? With the attitudes of some of the people in this thread it's no wonder people never bother to try because in your eyes you speak perfect english or you should get the fuck out.

A really disgusting attitude coming from people who live in a nation built on immigrants.

[galaxie]

Originally Posted by Revolver

but at least learn the fucking words to OH CANADA and tell me what a powerplay is!!

It's "O Canada", no "h".

:)