There is one thing I can never understand being at the nurses' station(sorry if I offend anyone but here goes):
I know that the nursing realm is full of people from different walks of life and culture and that is normal bc it is like that with other professions as well. And I do know that with the nursing profession, there are a lot of American-Filipinos. But the thing that I notice, in all of my work places... is that the Filipino nurses speak their language all the time with each other in front of non-Filipino coworkers and non-Filipino patients. Isn't this rude? I believe in the employee handbook of most facilities mention about speaking the universal language in front of everyone, instead of a particular language, this is only polite, especially if your coworkers next to you doesn't understand the language you speak or your patients. I see this happening a lot and the nurses always leave me "hanging" and "wondering" what they are talking about. Wouldn't you agree that this is just rude and disrespectful.
There's nothing wrong with having Chinese nurses, Filipino nurses, Russian nurses... but I think it'll be respectful and polite to speak the universal language that everyone can understand. Unfortunately, this will always happen at the nurses' station... and I just don't understand it. It's RUDE. Gotta open up those employee handbooks and read.
I am not a troll.. I just wanted to share this perspective of mine on here. Sorry if it's offensive... but if you turn the table around, you would know how it feels.
I see several comments like yours, but never any explanations of why two people simply having a conversation in their own language, when the conversation doesn't involve you at all, but happens to be in your presence is rude. Do you mind sharing why? Also, I'm just throwing out possibilities for why some people may feel the way they do. If the boot doesn't fit....but I know that if you and others in here aren't wearing a size 8 shoe, somebody is.
I only speak English but I can relate to you enough to understand that what you're likely doing is respecting others that share your culture by engaging them in the language you share with them. There is nothing wrong with that. That's a beautiful thing. You shouldn't have to translate a personal private conversation. Obviously your conversation is PRIVATE or else you would have spoken in English so they could understand. Love, do what makes you happy, but I wish you didn't feel obligated to translate your conversations to people. The people who "get it" don't need or want you to and the people who "don't get it" don't deserve it and the second you do you are playing into the entitlement they've acquired as Americans to always pry into the business of those who are different and speak a different language and keep tabs on everything they do.
As a Filipino Nurse, I speak my dialect when I meet another Filipino. I get excited that at least, for a moment I can talk to somebody else from my country. It is considered pretentious/rude and not looking back at our culture if we don't speak Filipino unless they don't know how (for those who are born/grow up here). We don't talk about our patient/people/nurses but we talk about when was the last time we went home, and how are things here in the US, family, our life here as an immigrant. I do talk in English if ever I am in the patient's room or in the station and I let them know that I am talking in Filino out of respect. Most patients understand this and then I even translated it to English what we were talking about. I noticed that those nurses who mind are those who wants to know everything what is going on around the department. I work in the ED and I rarely meet any Filipino patients/ nurses in the area.
I only speak English but I can relate to you enough to understand that what you're likely doing is respecting others that share your culture by engaging them in the language you share with them. There is nothing wrong with that. That's a beautiful thing. You shouldn't have to translate a personal private conversation. Obviously your conversation is PRIVATE or else you would have spoken in English so they could understand. Love, do what makes you happy, but I wish you didn't feel obligated to translate your conversations to people. The people who "get it" don't need or want you to and the people who "don't get it" don't deserve it and the second you do you are playing into the entitlement they've acquired as Americans to always pry into the business of those who are different and speak a different language and keep tabs on everything they do.
Meh people can talk whatever they want in personal conversations. But work related conversations do need to be had in the language of the facility. Thing is, sometimes the personal and the professional blend in one conversation at the desk or chart room. For example, I've seen English speaking nurses held responsible for patient information given by the aides in another language while chatting--even though they forgot to translate the necessary info into English for that nurse. That's a potential patient safety issue and effects your work. I've seen it more in ltc than acute though.
I've also had co workers get angry with patients who ask them to speak English when providing care. They complain such patients are "racist". But really, you're providing direct care, you should not be excluding the patient from your conversation. It does make them think you're saying rude things about them because you're occupied with their care. It also makes them feel like an object you're not even interacting with. So don't be surprised if they speak up about it, and don't try to deflect the wrong onto them.
Other than those things, truly personal conversations are probably insignificant anyway. But then I hate small talk.
Specializes in Stepdown telemetry, vascular nursing..
The handbooks are different for each facility. In my organization, it is allowed to speak in another language among each other. Don't assume the worst, and if it bothers you to that extent, bring it up to your manager
I work with a few philipinos. I think they are great. My take is if you are an immigrant certain things are non-negotiable assimilation aspects of a country.
One is the core values. In Americas case I would say.
1. Free speech.
2. Sepperation of church and state
3. Learn the primary language.
That is what allows us to be multicultural.
I think it unreasonable however to expect immigrants to comepletely abandon their native culture. In fact I welcome them spreading it as long as it coincides with the nations core principals.
I am of European descent. I keep tabs on Europe despite not being born there. Why would I expect different from any one else?
I used to work with a lot of Mexicans. Being the white guy a lot of people would request me. Fine by me, but I knew a lot of the Spanish speaking Mexicans could do a better job than me. Because they taught me that job.
Ooooh, creative problem solving! *wringing hands with gleeeee*
I find that it's much more helpful to "think forward" about clashes of this type rather than debate about whether it's rude or not or what people should do or not. Opinions differ and trying to reach consensus is futile. How do you improve it?
There's a lot of dynamics at play when you take culture into account. Out in the general population, speakers of minority languages often feel marginalized, and having others inside that share the language and culture can restore a sense of cultural pride that may or may not be routinely disparaged in everyday places like the grocery store, post office, shopping mall, restaurants, and social media. Pride is a major factor in positive psychology and everyone benefits from it (pride, mind you, not hubris.) and it's crucial to not dismiss that need in your coworkers.
If select coworkers are speaking their native language amongst themselves at work to the exclusion of English speakers, perhaps that's a sign that your unit needs to work on teambuilding because there's still a subtle "us and them" mentality (that's not to say that it's in a malicious fashion.) Think of your team as soldiers on the battlefield where brothers (and sisters) in arms put aside everything they were before and meld into one unit that would die for each other. Your unit becomes everyone's culture and everyone's pride while at work. (Although I'll be the first to admit this is more difficult with a group of women than a group of men. It's true ) Basically, it's easier to inspire a team to work together than to make them do it.
I keep tabs on Medecins Sans Frontiers quite a bit and it's very difficult to get in with them if you don't speak French no matter where you're from even if you're stationed in a country that doesn't speak French because when you're out in the middle of nowhere with sporifice resources and little security and terrible infrastructure, it's critically important that your team be so close you can practically read each other's thoughts.
have you read the whole thread? it was not personal conversations. it was loud and clear and in a non English language. I'm pretty much stuck bc I sit there to chart. I'm not interested in prying or getting to know what ppl say in their own language, too busy for that. its called common courtesy to say things in the language everyone understands. if its being spoken during break, in the lounge, etc. between two ppl, then by all means, do it. there's a big difference between doing that and speaking so loud where everyone else can hear you. my first language is not English, but I always speak English in front of people who don't understand my native language. it's just common courtesy that way. I don't leave others feeling left out as I know how it feels to be eating with 5 other people and I understand nothing of what they are speaking...
(Ugh! How dare anyone analyze any sort of behavior in anyone's culture?) I'm not saying my analysis was true for everyone, but I do think it rings true for most. If the latex gloves fit wear them.
You seem to know a lot about what's rude and what isn't rude and apparently you're exempt from all that is rude. People demanding other people not to have conversations out in public, in school or on the job in front of them unless they've Rosetta Stoned their language is extremely rude and egotistical. Eavesdropping is not only rude within itself, it's also not the smartest thing for anyone to do, especially when they probably have more important things to do, like taking care of their patients. Oops, was that rude of me to say? Rude this, rude that. My policy is honesty and humility. Sometimes you have to be down to earth enough to just to be honest and tell it straight. Did those latex gloves fit you just right? I don't think enough of us are honest with ourselves or with others.
When you look at the history of America, you know that Europeans brutally conquered America and subjugated the native peoples. Part of this subjugation included forcing children of the native peoples to attend schools taught by Europeans.
These schools required that native tongues and dress and religious practices and probably a lot more be abandoned, banned.
Some of these peoples have been able to throw off some of the bonds inflicted upon their ancestors and have found their roots - their native language, customs, and so on. I would be reluctant to once again ban any native language.
However, there has to be mutual respect; respect on both sides. This is the problem with racial awakening. There is a lot of anger and it comes out against people who have never been rude to or repressive of anyone. This is wrong. It causes much hurt, hate, and pain on both sides. it turns someone who would befriend us into an enemy. It does to some, who have never hated anyone or felt superior to anyone, that which others who want revenge for what was done to their forefathers.
There needs to be a balance. It's easier said than done. We have to try, though.
Where in the world was not conquered? That is not unique to this country. It is the history of humankind and civilization.
When speaking to/around patients it should be in the native language of the particular country they are in (this is a policy where I work too). But in the break room....speak whatever language you want. It is their break after all. Haven't had an issue with other staff speaking different languages at the nurses station/report room....but even if they were whatever. I am sure they will revert back to the native language when necessary.
) Basically, it's easier to inspire a team to work together than to make them do it.
NurseUnforgetable
17 Posts
I see several comments like yours, but never any explanations of why two people simply having a conversation in their own language, when the conversation doesn't involve you at all, but happens to be in your presence is rude. Do you mind sharing why? Also, I'm just throwing out possibilities for why some people may feel the way they do. If the boot doesn't fit....but I know that if you and others in here aren't wearing a size 8 shoe, somebody is.