Am I being a Nazi? Language in the workplace.

[cheese]

Am I being a Nazi?

In our workplace we have several different cultures. We have two Russian people (one just joined us) and they have started chatting to each other in Russian with day to day work things. I personally find this very offensive and bad taste. We have two Chinese guys too that make a point of speaking English in front of everyone else and I my boss also finds it very rude that the Russians are speaking local lingo.

Would I be fair is saying

You can speak it if you are on the phone etc to a partner etc

Anything in the work place with work people, English is only acceptable – no if, buts, or maybes.

[outlawtorn]

Am I being a Nazi?

In our workplace we have several different cultures. We have two Russian people (one just joined us) and they have started chatting to each other in Russian with day to day work things. I personally find this very offensive and bad taste. We have two Chinese guys too that make a point of speaking English in front of everyone else and I my boss also finds it very rude that the Russians are speaking local lingo.

Would I be fair is saying

You can speak it if you are on the phone etc to a partner etc

Anything in the work place with work people, English is only acceptable – no if, buts, or maybes.

I agree it's rude, besides the more they speak English the better they learn the language, so it benefits them, unless they are planning the next step of the Goergian invasion, in which case, leave them to it.

[Ixion]

Personally, I would ask them to teach me Russian. Golden opportunity.

[jrandom]

How is speaking Russian to each other rude?

They're not excluding anyone else from necessary communication by doing so. They only use their native language when speaking one-on-one, yes?

I'd say that you are being a Nazi.

I've worked with a number of Chinese and French engineers, and they'd often speak to each other in Chinese and French respectively. It always seemed natural to me. I cannot fathom why anyone would be bothered by it.

[avgas]

its a personal choice really.
If they choose to do it - than it shows their personality really.
Fire them.

[mstriumph]

it's easier for them, and they probably don't realise how offensive it is to others ..............

try pointing it out to them, using the chinese guys as an example ............

if they KEEP doing it after that, get back to us and we'll plan the next step in the campaign

[outlawtorn]

In hindsight it actually depends on what they are talking about, if it is work related then it should be in English, but if it IS the next step of the Georgian invasion then no worries really.....

[jrandom]

they probably don't realise how offensive it is to others ...

Will someone please explain to me how it is offensive?

[yod]

If speaking it on the phone doesn't bug you why does speaking it to another person in the same room?

I'll wager it's a lot quicker, easier and more efficient for them to use their native tongue to impart and discuss concepts to one another than in english.

In short, why do you care? It doesn't affect you, does it?

[Dargor]

Will someone please explain to me how it is offensive?

Its because there saying rude things about you.

And why not talk the language of the land, that way everyone can join in the conversation.

[Gubb]

If it wasn't for my multi-cultural workmates, I woundn't have the raft of foreign swearwords that I have today.

[FJRider]

They're probably talking about you...ok maybe not. WHO CARES... If you are offended, speak to them about it ...tried that yet... ???
We do have freedom of speech in this country...dont we ??? English isn't compulsory in NZ.

[Gubb]

Start speaking in Esperanto.

[FJRider]

If it wasn't for my multi-cultural workmates, I woundn't have the raft of foreign swearwords that I have today.

Which proves that increasing your vocabulary, does NOT increase your intelligence....

[mstriumph]

.......... They only use their native language when speaking one-on-one, yes?

c'MON fella - of course 'yes' ..... what would be the point of them speaking Russian to anyone ELSE there?

I'd say that you are being a Nazi.

disagree
part of supervision 101 is keeping the workplace harmonious - he's merely seeing a potential problem and moving to stop it spreading

if he doesn't act next you know his two chinese guys will start talking together in cantonese or whatever

next you get factionalism developing - 'us and them'

next thing they are passing each other notes written in secret ink and THEN they start throwing spitballs at each other

from there it's a short step to rolling out the nukes

ANARCHY!!!!!

sooooooo ANYTHING that gets in the way of wider workplace communication SHOULD BE HEADED OFF AT THE PASS methinks

......... I cannot fathom why anyone would be bothered by it.

ok
imagine the workplace as a dinner table and you are the hostess - your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to not to allow the couple having a private hissyfit at one end of the table stop others from remaining serene enough to stay focused on your pavlova ----you do the math

--hell, it's friday, who cares