La Cucaracha by Lalo Alcaraz for June 17, 2013

Then there’s the Seinfeld episode where Elaine is suspicious of her manicurists.

Whole Foods had instituted an “english only” policy. I guess they only want “home grown” employees too?

It’s just easier to talk in your native language.

What will they do if a customer doesn’t speak english?

I’m pretty sure the gluten-free, jalapeno, cilantro, hummus will not be missed.

Considering that 80 miles to the north of Albuquerque sits the first capital city ever established in this great country of ours, who do these uppity whiteys think they are…..? I enjoy listening to “foreign” languages because most of the time I understand what is being said.

The two employees reported they were suspended with pay for two days for complaining about the policy. Under pressure from the Governor and a threatened boycott, the policy has been revised.

Freedom of speech includes the right to say it in your choice of language.

Disrespectful to who? A bystander? Your comment shows little understanding. What about the employee’s rights?

its important to know the dynamics of Albuquerque … I’ve lived here most of my life. About half of the people here have an understanding of Spanish, not all are Hispanic, some are of northern European decent, not all Hispanics understand Spanish either. The Whole Foods that this happened at was close to the uber rich area of town where there are few Spanish speakers. When speaking Spanish here, one never can be sure if the conversation may be overheard by another Spanish speaker, so most conversations are kept civil just as you would expect an English conversation to be. The management over reacted to an innocent conversation probably because they have insecurities concerning whether their employees are talking bad behind their backs. Spanish is a part of our heritage in Albuquerque and we would be the poorer for the lack of our multicultural background (which includes as many as ten Native American cultures and languages as well). One part of being Multicultural is to except that there will be a certain amount of intolerance as well, they have their own culture to be proud of too, in their own fashion.

I live in the LA area, and people talk in foreign languages all the time. I love hearing it—when they are on personal time, when they are helping a customer, if they are doing work which does not require interaction with English speakers, when the business is an ethnic business such as a restaurant, or when it only requires very limited instructions to a limited English-speaking employee.

I find it to be inappropriate, however, when most of the clientele are English speaking, for employees to carry on conversations in another language.

I am an engineer and construction manager. There are numerous hispanic workers on construction sites these days. Some do not speak or understand English (or say they do not). Many times I hear them speaking to each other in Spanish, making insulting remarks about the White supervisors and owners, believing that no one understands them. Unfortunately for them, I am fluent in Spanish. They are shocked and embarrassed when I reprimand them in their language.Are they being disrespectful? I think so, and I tell them so.