Comments on: A Foreigner’s Lesson on “Dealing” With Foreigners

By: Perception of Languages | Once A Traveler

Perception of Languages | Once A Traveler — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:00:16 +0000

[...] language, I’d say the perception of non-native speakers of American English is that of lesser intelligence: We might bother to consider the people behind the language travesty, this illusion we put up in [...]

By: Rev

Rev — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:08:42 +0000

I am a New Yorker. Tourists are a part of /life/ around here, especially if you happen to be around Midtown anytime after midday. And yeah, we all gripe about them — constantly. It is part of becoming (or being) a New Yorker, you learn to despise tourists. I admit it.

But I gotta admit, as an aspiring traveler, this article was a slap in the face (in the “I needed that” way). I might start quoting this article next time I get in a conversation with other New Yorkers about Midtown.

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:34:04 +0000

Great post. The concept of tolerance is interesting to think about.

Hal Amen stated, “Like you, I used to not understand, and it makes me sad that many Americans (and others) still don’t.” I agree with this.

It’s funny though how the tables can turn and turn. I’m American and I have a huge distaste for tourists (particularly American ones) that think they are superior.

As a traveler in a foreign country, you start to look at your fellow countrymen in a different manner, as if they should positively represent the country from which you came.

Is there a need to tolerate other travelers when you have surpassed a foreign environment and they have not?

By: Turner

Turner — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:07:09 +0000

That’s what I was trying to convey. Not what he said but how he said it.

By: Hal Amen

Hal Amen — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:57:32 +0000

@Steve: The text alone isn’t automatically interpreted as condescending, but I can clearly picture it being delivered in the “you’re a f***ing idiot” tone.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:31:01 +0000

@Steve: So, rather than addressing the overall point of the article, you’re commenting on one small quote at the beginning of the post?

I do agree that the driver’s statement doesn’t come across as condescending, but that’s not reason enough to ignore everything the author said after it.

Great article, Turner. I run into a number of foreign students here on campus, and sometimes it’s more difficult than it should be to remember that they’re just as lost as I was when I went gallivanting through Eastern Europe this summer.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:07:35 +0000

Don’t see anything wrong with what the driver said. Isn’t it a good idea to speak simply when talking to someone who isn’t well versed in your language? The point is to help them understand as quickly as possible, not provide them with an engaging conversation.
It’s not condescending, it’s just more practical. Don’t be such a bleeding heart.
Boo article.

By: Hal Amen

Hal Amen — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:52:55 +0000

Excellent post, Turner. I’ve been nothing short of humbled in my Asian and South American travels at people’s patience with and acceptance of my poor language skills. Like you, I used to not understand, and it makes me sad that many Americans (and others) still don’t.