I think I shout at people who don't speak English

[dolo amber]

"ARE YOU SURE YOU BROUGHT THE POWER CORD WITH YOU, SIR??"

:\

I never really realized it before but I think I just frightened a small Hmong man that came into my office. I gotta work on that. x(

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. It's the only way they can understand English

The louder the better the communication.

[dolo amber]

2. Clearly that's my theory!

:patriot:

[Pacifist Patriot]

3. If it helps, it's not just we Ugly Americans...

I noticed when I was in Spain that a number of Spaniards slowed their rate of speech and raised their voices for my benefit. I also witnessed it last week when some Israeli exchange students increased their volume when conversing with the temple's cantor. My mom used to laugh about the Germans doing that to her when we were stationed there in the 70s. I think it may just be a natural human thing. Though what the evolutionary biological impetus could be, I can't imagine. ;)

[Phillycat]

4. I catch myself doing the same thing once in a while.

Then I remember to speak at normal tone, but SLOW DOWN. Heh. I'm a moron. :dunce:

[Shakespeare]

5. I don't do that, but I DO find myself mirroring the accent of non-native English speakers I talk to.

It's totally reflexive, and I try REALLY hard not to do it--I assume it's a sympathetic something-or-other reaction. :blush:

[Common Sense Party]

9. I do that, too. When I lived in the South, I mirrored a Southern accent.

I didn't do so consciously. If anything, I think my brain tried to put itself into Southern mode so that I'd be better able to understand what they would say to me.

My problem in dealing with those that speak other languages...the only foreign language I speak fluently is Spanish. So if I'm speaking with someone who doesn't speak English, my brain instinctively wants to speak Spanish--doesn't matter that the person is from Japan or Russia or Holland. My feeble noggin must think: "Not English...must go to Primary Backup Sytem...switching now...¿Cómo estás? ¿Cómo te puedo ayudar?"

[Oeditpus Rex]

12. Oh, dog — I do that too

Like with my neighbor, Ramon, I have to be careful I don't slip into some kinda Cheech and Chong thing. :blush:









And I don't mean this kind:

[IronLionZion]

14. YES! I do that too, subconsciously of course. It angers people

but I can't help it.

[DS1]

6. That's the law

You have to do that so the rest of us know there's an immigrant around.

[dolo amber]

13. LynneSin said I should scream like a castrated Viking

:shrug:

[Call Me Wesley]

7. Do they shout back?

Implying your hearing isn't well? ;)

[Richardo]

8. Especially since he was just there to pick up the FedEx packages...

:shrug:

[CreekDog]

10. this is because foreigners speak loudly

so even if you don't speak their language, by speaking your own more loudly, it will bear more similarity.

[texas1928]

11. WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME!!!

I AM NOT DEAF!!