Question to people who live or are from outside of USA.

[Meangunns]

I work for a company that employs people from all over the world. Is it considered tacky or polite to greet and attempt to speak to someone in their native language? Is this something that the community outside of the USA likes or thinks its another annoying american trait?

 

[jim_doki]

with other languages i can't really say, but dont try and day g'day to an aussie. im sorry but i've never heard an american get it right

 

[Meangunns]

I work with people from Italy, Brazil, Germany, England, France, Denmark, China, etc.

 

[Singing Gremlin]

Nah, it's widely considered much more polite to address someone in their native language. Although, if you don't speak that language properly, they may well be more offended if you butcher their language than if you made them speak English.

 

[fedpayne]

Tried it with some Germans, and received some more German in response, which I was unable to keep up with. So, just be careful. The guy was still happy I'd made the effort, though, so there we are. As an Englishman I can't help you in particular, though I'd probably smirk to myself if you opened with 'howdy'.

 

[Anton P. Nym]

My limited experience is that, if done respectfully and in full awareness of one's limitations, most people respect someone trying to greet them in their native tongue. My French is pathetically limited, for instance, but francophonie tend to give me credit for trying before throwing me a lifeline and switching to English.

-- Steve

 

[Ionait]

I'm from the U.S. and don't work in an environment with other cultures abound so this question isn't aimed at me at all. But I think I have some advice. I believe it is a lot about personal taste and the kind of conscious or unconscious biases a person of another culture has about you and yours. For example, if a Japanese person thought Americans were all stuck up know-it-alls and an American tried to speak to them in Japanese and stumbled a little, the Japanese person might just take offense and snicker that the American got it wrong.

Mostly though (as long as the foreign person you're trying to speak to isn't a jerkface like the hypothetical Japanese person in the example), I think people of other cultures appreciate an outsider trying to speak the language. Just make sure you know all of the formal words for things before you venture into informal territory. For example, in French to say "you" it is more respectful to use vous than tu, tu being a familiar term. And know what you're getting into! If only knowing a few phrases is what's necessary, great. But try not to start any in depth conversations if you're not ready. It'll make both of you feel awkward when you get completely lost.

Also, avoid the obvious stereotypical language traits. Speaking French with a French accent makes sense. Being a native English speaker and going to Australia, don't develop an Australian accent. And don't start using "eh" when in Canada. That's the kind of thing nobody appreciates. You might think it's cute. Others want to strangle you for it.

 

[theklng]

it depends on the people.. and on the language. i don't think anyone would find it insulting, but perhaps some would find it a bit corny to go to lengths to spark conversation just with a one-liner or equivalent. i'm not saying that you shouldn't, but there are more effective ways of doing that. i'd favor someone to present themselves as open minded rather than just knowing how to say "hi, how are you?" in 30 different languages.

 

[fix-the-spade]

Is it considered tacky or polite to greet and attempt to speak to someone in their native language? Is this something that the community outside of the USA likes or thinks its another annoying american trait?

From experience people tend to take it extremely well if you try and speak in their language.
Even if you are horrible at it they will appreciate that you went to the effort.

It's one of the pet peeves about Americans and English that we all seem to assume everyone speaks our language, at least it is according to my Swiss friend. Who happens to speak perfect English.

 

[pffh]

Well it can really be a doubled-edged sword but as long as people aren't complete jerks it is generally accepted as good manners. But we here in Iceland are very defensive of our language so you would be brutally corrected on every minor mistake if you tried to greet one of us (disclaimer: Not every Icelandic person is like this but many are and the preservation and correctness of our language has been part of our culture for a long time).

 

[Galletea]

You should only really use their language if you're in their country. Then it's considered polite and that you've made an effort. In your own country then probably not. There's no need.

 

[teh_gunslinger]

I can of course only talk for myself, but I wouldn't mind. Being from Denmark I realise that my language is not easy for english speakers (or anyone else for that matter), but I don't mind Danish getting butchered. Lord knows, I do it often enough myself.
So, I say go for it. See how it works out. I highly doubt anyone would expect you to hold up a conversation just because you greet them in their language or be offended by your crazy english accent. And it really is crazy.
You could also ask them about their language and show some interest. Most people, in my experience, are happy to help and talk about it. Just showing that you made the effort will often go a long way indeed. I mean, most likely you'll have English as common ground so if all else fails you should be able to explain yourself if it blows up.

 

[teh_gunslinger]

Well it can really be a doubled-edged sword but as long as people aren't complete jerks it is generally accepted as good manners. But we here in Iceland are very defensive of our language so you would be brutally corrected on every minor mistake if you tried to greet one of us (disclaimer: Not every Icelandic person is like this but many are and the preservation and correctness of our language has been part of our culture for a long time).

Not to take this off topic, but why is that? I know a lot of people here in Denmark that feel Danish is somehow threatened by emigrants and other foreigners using our language. I really don't get that. A language needs to evolve or it dies and becomes sterile. Most people have no idea how little of any language is original. Half of English (hyperbole alert) is Latin and half of Latin is Greek and so on.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

I don't know about other nationalities but Mexicans (real across the boarder ones), if they know English, are typically proud of their multilingual skills and feel good when you don't have to speak spanish to them...

at the same time though, a mexican american speaking spanish to a mexican can give a mexican a sence of familiarity or sense of belonging.

however, poorly attempting spanish towards a mexican can be viewed as condescending as if you assume that they don't speak english.

it can be complicated

 

[iseko]

I'm from belgium. It is much more polite to try and make an effort to speak the native language. But the flemish side of belgium (north side) doesn't mind if you speak english or german. They might take offense to french...

But i've been to alot of countries and it always makes a good impression if you at least try to learn their language.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

But i've been to alot of countries and it always makes a good impression if you at least try to learn their language.

Definitely.

It's weird though. As an american I was always taught to respect the different cultures and languages of those that come to America. We were also taught to respect different cultures while abroad as well. At what point are we allowed to just let it hang out and be American? I know, when in the company of other Americans, like a secret club.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a boo hoo hoo i'm American thing, but quite sincerely nobody respects american culture anywhere. Maybe the term is oxymoronic considering the hodgepodge of our society but I just thought it was a weird observation.

 

[iseko]

But i've been to alot of countries and it always makes a good impression if you at least try to learn their language.

Definitely.

It's weird though. As an american I was always taught to respect the different cultures and languages of those that come to America. We were also taught to respect different cultures while abroad as well. At what point are we allowed to just let it hang out and be American? I know, when in the company of other Americans, like a secret club.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a boo hoo hoo i'm American thing, but quite sincerely nobody respects american culture anywhere. Maybe the term is oxymoronic considering the hodgepodge of our society but I just thought it was a weird observation.

Well I think there are multiple reasons why it appears like nobody respects you. (I'm not saying I don't respect you!!)
1) Your the capitalist bulldog of the world. The way you shine out to us (the rest of the world) is that every single one of you has to fend for themselves. Nobody gives a flying F about anybody else. I'm not saying marxisme is the way to go. But if my choices are black and white. I'll still choose grey on this one.

2) No offense but your education system is seriously lacking. We've had an american and a canadian exchange student in our highschool. They were surprised by what we had seen already and what we're going to see. Most of the science taught in the last 2 years of highschool here is seen in college in america. So i'm not saying your stupid. I'm saying your educational system is crap.

3) You don't have such a old culture (except for the indians who were slaughtered by western civilization). You have your monuments but you can still see the price tag on them. We have 'het lamb gods' painted by jan van eyck, the Pantheon, pyramids, etc... You guys have a tribute to bill clinton.

4) If the world is a playground. America is the bully.

I think that's a general view that the world has on america. At least from what I hear and see. (You asked why, I gave you a why. Please don't flame me for this. I welcome your criticisme and please show me that I am wrong ).

 

[Graustein]

Regarding other Anglophone countries, do not, repeat not try to imitate their accent in normal conversation. You can't pull it off. Don't try, it's obnoxious and made of fail.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

I think that's a general view that the world has on america. At least from what I hear and see. (You asked why, I gave you a why. Please don't flame me for this. I welcome your criticisme and please show me that I am wrong ).

lol

Don't worry.. I actually didn't ask why, I know the reasons. The longevity of "american culture" was probably your most objectively valid point but my observation was more of a presentation of the american cunnundrum, or the situation that OP is going through.