Don't bde afraid
- I've been using Spanish with native speakers since I first started learning Spanish. I was 16 at that time, and I am now a semiretired senior. I speak Spanish fluently, and I'm using Spanish in my current job. Don't be afraid! Native speakers are very happy to talk with you in Spanish.
- —Guest Marilyn
I always engage!
- The only person who is uncomfortable is my husband, and now that he knows a bit of Spanish, he joins in too. I have never been rejected by a Spanish speaker. I love the culture; their graciousness is nearly guaranteed.
- —Guest Mary
Efforts appreciated
- Sí, ¡totalmente! Many Americans complain that French are rude, but I have always been treated royally there because I make the attempt to initiate in French. The same is true in Spain. If you have difficulty, they will usually switch to English, and they will appreciate the fact that you made the effort to accommodate to their culture. What they don't like is Americans demanding English from the start, which reinforces their understandable impression of Americans as "pushy" people.
- —Amtak
Efforts appreciated
- I'm a native of South Texas and have found that, whether here at home or in a Spanish-speaking country, people appreciate the effort to communicate in Spanish, however comical.
- —michaelahill
It depends
- In my workplace, most of the folks like me are professionals with master's and Ph.D. degrees. The service personnel are generally of Hispanic descent and likely speak "border Spanish." Generally, I greet them in the morning and afternoon and sometimes make a remark about the weather, but that is the extent. On rare occasion, I have tried to comment about something else in what I think is "perfect" Spanish, and sometimes I get strange looks, but they are always kind, trying to translate (in their minds) my castellano into street Spanish.
- —tonyquinzi
Never a bad response
- Yo siempre hablo con extranjeros, y nunca encontré mal recepción.
- —Guest don fathers
OK to initiate a conversation in Spanish
- I smiled to myself when reading this thread. I have been learning Spanish for 10 years and having just recently retired, I have finally managed to visit Spain to practice. What made me smile was that I found myself alone in Málaga airport on my return to the UK. I felt lost and frustrated at not knowing where to go or what to do. I approached three different people, all Spanish, a policeman, a security guard and a maintenance worker. All three were brusque and dismissive to my inquiries in Spanish. When I was sat on the plane thinking about it, I thought maybe I need to be brushing up on my people skills along with my Spanish. On a subsequent visit I again asked directions from two ladies who were cleaning the gents' toilets and the response was much more helpful and friendly. So I suppose it all depends on the situation and the characters involved.
- —corinthian00
Be brave but be sensitive
- This is so tricky. You're balancing your needs against others'. You want to learn Spanish. They want you to know they can speak English. I look very American so people always do a double take when I speak Spanish (because I speak well with little accent). Still I have encountered the full gamut of responses -- the key is to be very sensitive. Learn how to convey that you just want to learn to speak Spanish, that you like it and you value bilingualism. People will let you know whether they are grateful or would prefer to speak in English than to help you practice. Learn a few key phrases that fit your work. Learn them well and with a good accent. Accent is SO important. And so is good comprehension. If you don't initiate the Spanish but simply respond (to what you've heard them say in Spanish), even in English, you'll be better able to say a few words later in Spanish without offending. "Su cambio" o "que tenga un buen día" o "cuídanse." Work your way backwards and you'll gain confidence
- —JanetChakwin
Take a cue from their reaction
- If a Spanish-speaking person is fluent in English, I use English, but if someone is having difficulty conversing in English, I will help out with translation and I take my cue from their reaction. I think that most Spanish-speaking people would rather receive help with English, because they need to communicate with many people who don't understand Spanish.
- —Guest Bombero
I do it
- I usually speak it even if I think I'll make a mistake.
- —Guest Eirleen
It helps me learn
- When I see or do business with a Latino, I frequently speak Spanish with them. Yes, I am a little embarrassed since I know my Spanish is only fair. However, most of the time, they will speak Spanish in return. It's kind of a kick to practice Spanish with someone you don't know. It helps me with my conversational Spanish, even though I don't understand all the words.
- —Guest john perel
Speak Spanish when possible
- I usually try to speak in Spanish to someone I think speaks it whether or not it is true. Sometimes I hit the nail on the head and I introduce myself and say I try to speak Spanish whenever possible so I don't lose it. It usually is accepted by the other person and we speak a few sentences or paragraphs and that is that.
- —Guest spurcdg
They love it
- Yes, Spanish people are very humble, and they love it when you speak to them in their native language.
- —Guest Jim Kaiser
Worth a smile
- I got the biggest smile from a waitress simply saying "de nada."
- —Guest mdc2006@msn.com
Be friendly
- Depending on the situation, if you come across in a friendly way by first greeting that person, you begin to break the ice, and you will not offend. Remember, that particular person may not expect or think that someone at a store will talk to them in Spanish. I will recommend "baby steps" first. Greetings, a few and short comments afterwards to develop the relationship. ¡Buena suerte!
- —Guest Oscar Morzan
