No Habla Ingles

I know this particular blog people will either agree with me emphatically or be furious. It's got to be said anyway - if you are going to live and work in this country - learn to speak English!!

That said, I greatly admire people who can speak more then one language - even if they don't speak one language great. I think it is a great disservice that we, as a country, do not start children learning a second language when they are in pre-school or kindergarten like they do in most European and Asian countries.

If you are visiting the US for any length of time, I can understand someone from a foreign country not speaking the language well or at all.

However, if you are going to work and live here, then I think you need to get a good handle on the language. In the last three hours I have called the customer service department of two companies that are located in the US and have gotten representatives who could not understand what I was asking them.

They offer the drivers license applications in Spanish! I know we have a large number of Hispanics in our country - but seriously! If you are going to drive in this country then FOR SURE you should speak English and be able to fill out your application and take your test in English.

Do you know that many sites also offer voting information in Spanish or other languages - don't you think if someone is a legal resident and able to vote they should be able to speak English to do that as well?

I appreciate the diversity in this country. I am not saying people should give up their heritage, and I do think it is important for parents and grandparents to teach their children their language and background.

But if you move somewhere and want to reap the benefits of living here, vote, drive - have the respect of the country to learn the language - and that goes for any country you move to. Not just the United States.