Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< If I go to WDW Tokyo, I expect NOT to hear English first, but then again I guess Americans are rude people who don't care about other nationalities, right? >>> At TDR, most announcements are bilingual, with Japanese first and English second. But surprisingly, some of the shows and parades have announcements made in English only (not safety related, of course). But I've never heard of Japanese guests being upset at this, sarcastically characterizing what people that aren't upset about it might think about them.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>They certainly are not bashful about reducing costs in order to meet earnings growth targets whenever revenue growth doesn't do so. I can think of all sorts of things that could be offshored. For example, who's to say that the people monitoring all of the in-park security cameras aren't half way around the world? Bandwidth is cheap these days, and real-time video feeds could easily be sent elsewhere.<< And back stage CM's could be imported from the 3rd world via the L-1 visa. Technically, L-1's are temporary transfers (hence there is no requirement that they receive competitive pay). So Disney could hire these people in Brazil or India, bring them to the US, and pay them less than minimum wage (tecnically they are paid "back home"). Now they probably won't do this because it would be very visible and would give Disney a black eye. But as we all know, the push to cut costs will never end.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<The thing that really bothered me about it was when the first announcement was done, a LOT of Mexican/Spanish speaking people started cheering cause they were first. I was not the only American aroudn to say WTF?>> Dude, if something this miniscule bothers you this much, I think you need to get a life. Seriously.
Originally Posted By gaston lives We're posting on a Disney message board in the middle of the day...maybe we all need to get a life. Just kidding. It was a little thing, but where I live in Colorado, it's very touchy since we have to battle for people at 7-11 or McDonalds to speak english. It's not uncommon to go into McD's and not have ANYBODY there who speaks English AT ALL. It carries over sometimes. I have nothing against people who speak Spanish, but sometimes it gets taken too far.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Thank you all for educating me. I go to WDW, have a great time, come home and start planning for the next trip. No clue all this went on. Never had attitude problems from any nationality or people (unless the b/b ankles were intentional from stroller & wheelchair people) We talk to lots of people in line, even if we don't always completely understand each others' language. Now here in my town, everyone has crummy attitudes. We have a lot of lower income immigrants. No lower income anyone at WDW. Well that is if you don't count the employees.
Originally Posted By disneyhabit RE: There is also talk of creating a North American Union (a la European Union) initially consisting of the US, Canada and Mexico. If such a union ever sees the light of day, there is no doubt that Spanish will be one of the official languages of said Union. Our politicians better not let this country down and become part of this North American union but being as greedy as they are, I know they will screw this country up more than what it is now. There are too many illegals crossing our borders trying to change our culture along with the Islamic extremist trying to convert the whole world to their way. America Wake Up!
Originally Posted By disneyhabit <<: I don't care what other countries think about us, becuase when they're country is under attack financially or militarily, they all come crying to us to save their necks, then they talk smack about us when they are safe again. Right on Gaston! Borders, Language and Culture. I think every American is getting sick of saving the world. Will any other country step up to save us if we need help. Heck No, we're just ugly bigots, homophobes etc. Talk about hospitality our borders are wide open for everyone. Well we're America, I guess there's room for one more!!!!!
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I don't usually care but shouldn't this whole conversation be under World Events?
Originally Posted By Any Huis <<The thing that really bothered me about it was when the first announcement was done, a LOT of Mexican/Spanish speaking people started cheering cause they were first. I was not the only American aroudn to say WTF?>> What's REALLY amazing is that Gaston is offended by hearing a little Spanish, but NOT at all bothered by clear vulgarity! (ie, "WTF") As Nikki said, Get a Life, Gaston!! Who CARES what language is used first? Disneyhabit, the European Union is working well for the Europeans, so if they put together a well-planned North American Union -- then GOOD!! And yes, Spanish would be ONE OF the official languages! It's the language of almost half the people on this Continent. Grow up, people! There's NOTHING bad about hearing another language!
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^For instance, it is said that not being able to speak Spanish is becoming a impediment to finding work in southern Florida.
Originally Posted By gaston lives Exactly! Or, when you call a major store (this happened 2 minutes ago to me), and the recorded message comes up in Spanish first, then English... We live inside landlocked USA...where English is the proper language. Why can't that be respected? People keep saying we need to respect other people who don't speak English...well...what about those who DO speak English? Nobody cares about showing respect to the traditions of our founding fathers and the country they birthed. If they did, English would be the only thing heard throughout the land...except from those on vacation, which I can totally accept.
Originally Posted By avromark I say all verbal announcements should hence force be made in American Sign Language.
Originally Posted By avromark I say all verbal announcements should hence forth be made in American Sign Language.
Originally Posted By SuperDry gaston, here's a friendly suggestion: try turning off your radio for 30 days and see if you calm down.
Originally Posted By Any Huis Gaston, I want to be sympathetic, but then you go and say "Nobody cares .... If they did, English would be the only thing heard throughout the land". The key word that makes you LOOK bigoted is "ONLY"! Why do you ONLY want to hear English? What's so bad about Spanish, or French, or German, or Swahili? I don't have a problem with knowing a foreign language being an advantage in getting a good job. If someone else has worked hard to learn another language and you haven't -- Hey, he/she is better qualified. It's the same as if he/she knows how to use some computer software and you don't. "It's A Small World after all"
Originally Posted By gaston lives How would the people in Spain feel (for example) if I moved over there and demanded that everything be offered in English? It wouldn't happen, and I wouldn't really expect it to. I am a strong believer in the tried and true method of when you move somewhere, you adapt and learn their language so you can fit it. I can speak French rather fluently, but that's besides teh point. Oh, and as far as calming down and turning off my radio...I wont' even go there. You're not worth the trouble.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<Nobody cares about showing respect to the traditions of our founding fathers and the country they birthed. If they did, English would be the only thing heard throughout the land...except from those on vacation, which I can totally accept.>> The founding fathers birthed their country on the backs of my people, Native Americans. They didn't speak English before the pilgrims got here. Don't act like English was the only language ever spoken here, because it certainly was not. Gaston, the fact of the matter is WDW draws a large contigent of international visitors, which is why there are announcements in English and Spanish. Get over it.
