Originally Posted By MPierce I really wish our government would allow us to vote on this issue. Even though this is a Republic, and not a Democracy, I think the will of the American people should be taken into consideration here. That would still allow WDW or any other business to make announcements in as many languages, in any order it wants to. Then I will choose if I want to continue to do business with this company. The only thing that would change is every American citizen would have the opportunity to let their voice be heard at the ballot box. Takes the power right away from waffling politicans. It does not infringe on anyones freedom. Only defines who we are as a nation. I should also point out problems in the U.K. and France with foreigners coming in, and trying to take over the culture of these two great nations.
Originally Posted By gaston lives I wonder how long until we hear the "American Adventure" in EPCOT totally in Spanish?
Originally Posted By Any Huis I'm 100% in favor of building an effective WALL on our southern border, to slow down the illegal immigration. I'm also 100% AGAINST any thought process that "our English" is somehow superior to Spanish or any other language. If you've ever traveled overseas, overall Americans are an embarrassment. While the citizens of almost every other nation are bilingual, trilingual, or better -- we Americans are (for the most part) too LAZY to learn another language. Worse yet, many "ugly Americans", when traveling overseas, will then get offended when their foreign hosts cannot speak perfect English to accomodate them. Actually, the "language problems" that Canada has had are more from people like Gaston -- French-speakers from Quebec who "get offended" because they don't want to HEAR another language. As for Epcot's "American Adventure" being presented in Spanish -- it ALREADY is! When we brought our goddaughter (who is from Colombia) to WDW, she was able to hear AA and many other shows in her native Spanish -- thanks to Disney-provided headphones.
Originally Posted By gaston lives That's cool about the headphones. If you think I dont' want to hear another language, you've misread everything I've posted. The initial question was why this ONE attraction ahd the languages reversed. This discussion has since evolved into one of languages in general. While I do think that English should be the only thing REQUIRED at WDW, I understand teh need to pass on messages to teh masses. However, I don't feel we need to cater to those people in every situation.
Originally Posted By MPierce I can speak a little of 5 different languages does that make me a semi-ugly American. Just a question, what language are international piolets required to speak, and why. I'm certainly glad that I don't feel bitterness towards my fellow countrymen for their lack of skills in the foreign language category. At no time can I remember anyone saying English was superior to any other language. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Consideration of other's needs is a good thing, but how many people who go to WDW cannot understand English? We have those mirror things at many of the shows for the hearing impaired. I'm having a senior moment and can't remember what they are called. Please someone come to my rescue.
Originally Posted By Any Huis No language, not even English, is REQUIRED at Disney World! As we've made pretty well clear, Disney uses whatever languages that THEY feel necessary. If THEY choose to give their announcements in Swahili first, then English, that's fine with me -- and above all, I'm not gonna have a vulgar ("WTF") childish Me-first reaction. MPierce, what makes an American traveler "ugly" is when he/she gets upset when their host fails to speak perfect English for them. They are also "ugly" when they disrespect the host nation's customs or money. I've actually seen older Americans (in Italy, I believe) who got upset because the Italian clerk refused to take his US dollars -- wanting instead Italian money. "If they want my money, they'll take my dollars!", he said. Now THAT is an example of an "ugly American".
Originally Posted By MPierce I'm quite sure you can find rude people from every country on the face of the earth, with the exception of Iceland. I just don't ever hear the phrase Ugly German or Ugly Brazilian or Ugly Korean. WDW has always had the right to announce in any language they see fit, just like I have the option to take my money else where if I so choose. The OP was in reference to whether a non-English announcement made first was appropriate. A very interesting, and stimulating question for conversation. I just hope nobody becomes offended, and this thread ends up being closed. Open dialouge is also one of the things that makes this country so great.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I just don't ever hear the phrase Ugly German or Ugly Brazilian or Ugly Korean. >>> I think it has something to do with Americans being particularly adept at creating these situations. People growing up in, say, Europe are naturally used to dealing with people, businesses, and money from other countries (well, money much more so before the Euro). It just becomes second nature to understand that there are different people, money, customs, laws, languages, and so on in the various countries. Most Americans can go their entire lives not having to deal with any of these things, let alone having to think about them. So sometimes they get frustrated when put into a situation where things aren't the same as they're used to.
Originally Posted By gaston lives That could be due to the fact that in Europe most countries are surrounded by other countries so small that travel between tehm is a necessity in certain situations. It's not uncommon for Americans to never leave the USA, hence becoming IGNORANT (not stupid or rude) to those types of situations.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<< I just don't ever hear the phrase Ugly German or Ugly Brazilian or Ugly Korean. >>> I can tell you that in much of Latin America they don't care for Argentinians. In Mexico blow hards are called "Argentinos" behind their backs.
Originally Posted By Any Huis Good News! The mayor of Nashville (TN) just VETOED an "English Only" law. It would have REQUIRED that all laws and documentation be printed in English only. Good for this wise man! Now they need to pass an "English first" law -- for all those "me first" English-speakers who curse when they hear another language before their precious English.
Originally Posted By MPierce Any Huis would you please tell me who even implied cursing when they hear another language before English. The question posed was is it appropriate at WDW. You really seem to take offense at your fellow citizens that you disagree with. Phrases like "Ugly-American, and "their precious english" make me feel you have a strong dislike for the general culture of this country. Now I don't know you so that's only the impression I'm getting. I apologize if you think I've rushed to judgement on this matter. My opinions on this thread remain firm as I'm sure yours do also. I just hope in the future you will get over your bitterness towards people that have differing opinions
Originally Posted By Any Huis MPierce: Take a look at post #100, where gaston says: "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 around to say WTF?" >> So the Mexicans cheer and Gaston says the F-word! As for "Ugly Americans", I'm usually thinking about one of my closest relatives who was a terribly Ugly American when he visited Europe. He got annoyed when the Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, or Austrians couldn't speak his English. Also got annoyed when they wouldn't take his dollars. He called the European currency, "Funny money". When renting a car, he insisted on paying double to get an automatic transmission -- which they only have over there for us lazy Americans. This same family member insisted on staying in very Americanized hotels, wanting an "American experience" while visiting other nations. Do I hate this person? NO, I love him! I'm also not bitter against him. I only bring all this up to wake people up!! Gaston also said he was "proud" to be an Ugly American. I hope he wasn't referring to the kind of Ugly American I just described.
Originally Posted By MPierce Well I stand corrected. I didn't take it as anything other than a comment about people cheering for a Spainish announcement. I have a funny feeling nobody actually used the phrase WTF out loud. Please correct me if I'm wrong Gaston. I think it's individual choice of what kind of experience you want to have when traveling overseas. Some people are just more comfortable with what is familar to them. What would you think if English speaking people cheered when an announcement was made in english at DLP or TDJ or HKDL. I think if I witnessed that it would be worthy of a thread here. I still wouldn't refer to them as Ugly-Americans, only as rude guest. Once again you use the term "us lazy Americans", and this is only in reference to wanting an automatic transmission. The last manuel transmission I purchased was a 1969 Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet. So I've been a lazy American for a long time now.
Originally Posted By gaston lives No, I didn't actually say that, it was coined to say the look on their faces implied that. The reason I said I enjoy being an ugly American is because when I'm on my own soil, I don't think I need to cater to people from otehr countries...when I'm in their country, I don't get catered to, and I don't expect it. When I was in Europe, I was not like that. We always exchanged money first thing and tried to blend in. I'm sure it didn't work, but we tried. I wish that English only law WOULD have passed. You know how much of our taxes go to printing out documents in different languages (Spanish) just because several immigrants (85% illegal in Colorado) demand it? It's ridiculous to expect things in your language while residing in another country...especially if there illegally. But I digress...I don't mind hearing things in Spanish at WDW...I'm used to it. I was just confused since it came first at this ONE attraction when English came first at other attractions.
Originally Posted By Any Huis Sorry, MPierce, but I DO think it's a trait of "laziness" that we (Americans) have to have our stupid automatic transmissions! When you're already paying $6/gallon for gas, WHY would you want to pay double-rate to rent an automatic transmission car -- when you know it gets worse gas mileage? When I was in England last summer, I struck up a conversation with a lady and her teen daughter. When they realized I was from America, the first question they asked me was, "Is it true that in America almost all the cars have automatic transmissions?" They simply couldn't believe that! On the news over there, I heard the USA referred to as "The Land of SUVs". We certainly do have stupid tastes in our vehicles, don't we? Gaston, I'm thankful you didn't actually use the F-word simply because a group of Mexicans were happy to finally hear something in their own language. I am curious, however, why such a vulgar phrase (WTF) even entered your mind for such a trivial thing? I'm also thankful that you're NOT an Ugly American when traveling overseas. "Blending in" is the right and courteous thing to do.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^When I was in Sweden I saw a lot of automatic cars. But in Spain I saw hardly any. FWIW, the mpg gap between manual and automatic gearboxes has become quite small. Not surprising, as 5 and even 6 speed automatics are no longer a rarity. Gone are the days of 2 and 3 speed automatics. I have driven both, and have to say that after a long day at the office an automatic takes some of the edge off of the drive home.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Sorry, MPierce, but I DO think it's a trait of "laziness" that we (Americans) have to have our stupid automatic transmissions! When you're already paying $6/gallon for gas, WHY would you want to pay double-rate to rent an automatic transmission car -- when you know it gets worse gas mileage? << Well.... Say you are driving in England for the first time. Not having to fumble with the stick shift with one's LEFT hand certainly helps when driving on the left side of the road for the first time.
