What annoys you the most ?

[Wendigo]

Originally Posted by SanteeFats

This really annoys. I thought US naturalized citizens were suppose to a workable command of English both written and oral.

As part of my work I once saw a benefit claim form from London and there were three pages of advice in various foreign languages telling the applicants how to find the forms in their own language. If I remember right there were between 50 and 80 different sodding languages
That's a totally unnecessary costly burden on local tax payers, if you are going to live somewhere then start to learn the language you lazy bastards

[cicciobuki]

Originally Posted by SanteeFats

This really annoys. I thought US naturalized citizens were suppose to a workable command of English both written and oral.

What's the context of this note, by the way? Administrative matters?

I ask because even when someone has learned a new language good enough to function in daily life, they can forget about understanding more ... burocratic or specialized texts, like contracts or legal stuff.

[cicciobuki]

Originally Posted by Wendigo

That's a totally unnecessary costly burden on local tax payers, if you are going to live somewhere then start to learn the language you lazy bastards

You guys are fast to judge, have you ever learned another language and then got handed official documents or forms?

[SanteeFats]

Originally Posted by cicciobuki

What's the context of this note, by the way? Administrative matters?

I ask because even when someone has learned a new language good enough to function in daily life, they can forget about understanding more ... burocratic or specialized texts, like contracts or legal stuff.

I have no idea. I don't have the rest of the paper work. It was not with any election material but it symbolizes to me part of what is wrong here. Why assimilate if you can get paperwork and assistance in your native language?

[cicciobuki]

Originally Posted by SanteeFats

I have no idea. I don't have the rest of the paper work. It was not with any election material but it symbolizes to me part of what is wrong here. Why assimilate if you can get paperwork and assistance in your native language?

I understand your gut reaction but...

...I did some research on that page.

And it seems to be part of a health care plan thing, i found a PDF that contains this page:

Aetna Student Health: Columbia University, Platinum Plan
link to the PDF file

"Platinum" ... sounds more like a 1st class health care plan for international students (explains all the languages) than what was insinuated by showing this page out of context (you know, "foreign parasites getting freebies atthe cost of honest tax payers")

The "free service" is what it is, a free service as a part of a paid health plan. So whoever isolated that page had some unpure intents, IMHO.

[casualobserver]

Pomposity. And this site has one of the most pompous posters I've ever had the displeasure to read, but thankfully he's unaware of his own pomposity and doesn't realise that most of the folk who reply to him are taking the piss.

Even after all this time.

[silkies]

Definitely queue jumpers, or as we call them, Line Cutters.

Several years ago I had to go to Mexico on business. Coming back I had to go through US Customs at the airport in Atlanta. Customs was like a bank counter at that time, there was a counter with several "tellers" and a line on the floor about 15 feet in front of the counter. There was a line in front of each position. The people lined up single file before each teller, starting at the border placed on the floor.

Then this guy talking on a cellular phone walked past everyone in my line, threw his bags on the counter and acted like no one else was there. I went on a tirade against this person, to the point where armed customs agents had to come out and restore order. I was not happy at all.

[Sliver23]

The queue jumpers are so boring

[Wendigo]

Originally Posted by cicciobuki

You guys are fast to judge, have you ever learned another language and then got handed official documents or forms?

No but then I have never contemplated moving to another country and sponging off their citizens

It's all emotive and yes context has to be taken into account, but many have been here for years and still struggle with the basics? Even when I go on holiday for a few weeks I have the decency to learn several useful phrases of that language and read up on the cultures of places before I go. If I was going to live somewhere I would take language classes as those of my family who recently moved to retire in Spain did. It's just shows a basic respect for that country.
These are not just people who struggle with official forms they are those who have never bothered to learn the language. Frankly it's not up to any taxpayer to bear the cost of translating everything into Urdu or even some obscure language just for the sake of a few hundred of thousand people.

[Wendigo]

Originally Posted by casualobserver

Pomposity. And this site has one of the most pompous posters I've ever had the displeasure to read, but thankfully he's unaware of his own pomposity and doesn't realise that most of the folk who reply to him are taking the piss.

Even after all this time.

Go easy on him please