I am curious how many facilities have an "English Only" rule, and how/whether it is enforced.
I work at a SNF in which the vast majority of the employees are from the Philippines. Although we have an "English Only" rule, it seems that they have no interest in abiding by it, although all are fluent in English. Since I am one of only two white employees, I guess there isn't much I can do about it. It does bother me, though, when we are on our lunch break, and all of them are speaking their own language and I am the only one who does not understand the conversation!
I am curious if others have the same situation where they work, and if so, how they deal with it. Thanks.
I would not want to be able to hear someone who was caring for me speaking spanish, or any other language other then english. Even if at that second they were not doing anything for me.
I find it akward to have people speak other languages when I do not know what they are saying. If my nurse or CNA did it I would worry they were complaining about me.
There was an "english only" policy in quite a few of the facilities I did clinicals in. And most did speak English only.
I am now in a LTC facility and I am the only one who doesn't speak Spanish fluently (I know some but not enough to say I speak or understand it well) or any other language other than English. We have an English only policy which includes speaking ONLY English while in the building whether you are on your break or not (since its a paid break)..outside the building you can speak whatever you want on your time.
Most of the girls I work with don't abide by it when they aren't around patients but when I have walked into the area they were speaking in, they immediately changed over to English and apologized to me for speaking (fill in the blank).
One particular lady I work with speaks very broken English, she was talking with a nurse while we were all in the same room. The nurse said to me that they were sorry they were speaking Creole, they weren't talking about me and that Mary (the person who speaks broken english) was trying to explain something about a patient and couldn't really find the right words in English.
I told her that I was wasn't worried that they were talking about me because I confident enough that if she had something bad/good to say about me I knew that she would confront me and say it in english. LOL
That is a good point...if the nurse does not speak english well and there was something she needed to tell another nurse I would want her to say it in her best language so that she was most comfortable and able to give the best description of what was going on.
And good on those co workers for either stopping and appologizing if you come in, or explaining why they needed to keep doing it.
Specializes in Triage, MedSurg, MomBaby, Peds, HH.
You should be able to speak any language while in the "break room" unless you are eavesdropping! If you don't understand the language than how would you presumed it is not "personal." If they want to speak in their language let them!!!!!!! You don't see this dilemma in Europe. Only in the good old USA.
I beg to differ! As an American of Irish and French descent, I have spent a lot of time in France. Everyone bends over backward to speak English in front of me, despite the fact I'd love the opportunity to practice my very rusty French. This is true of friends, family and proprietors of businesses and restaurants.
Everywhere I've travel in Europe, the Europeans have always been so kind to minimize personal conversations in which I cannot participate within my earshot. I never fail to appreciate this courtesy.
If the definition of etiquette is making others comfortable, speaking another language to the exclusion of others would be considered rude.
I used to find myself becoming annoyed at my co-worker's use of other languages to communicate with each other. Then I realized, that I was not part of the conversation, so what difference should it make? I was also taught that eavesdropping or butting into a conversation that you are not included in is rude. My co-workers would always speak to me in English, and they never ignored me.
This isn't kindergarten anymore. I think there are more important issues to get upset about.
It is also rude to exclude ONE person out of a converstation. That is what happens on the night shift at the nurse's station.
In most cases, I have no issue with using a language that someone might feel more comfortable with, unless it in in a resident's room that does not speak that language or if it is in a small group where one person might be excluded from that conversation.
But why see it as an "exclusion"? I don't see that they are "excluding" someone. I see it that they are simply speaking in their native language. If you feel excluded, that's YOUR whoop, not theirs. And ask yourself if you and a couple fellow Americans were working in a foreign country where the native language wasn't English, would you/your fellow Americans speak that foreign language amongst yourselves? Especially on your break? I don't tink toe.
But why see it as an "exclusion"? I don't see that they are "excluding" someone. I see it that they are simply speaking in their native language. If you feel excluded, that's YOUR whoop, not theirs. And ask yourself if you and a couple fellow Americans were working in a foreign country where the native language wasn't English, would you/your fellow Americans speak that foreign language amongst yourselves? Especially on your break? I don't tink toe.
8^)
Not if there was one person sitting there that did not know English and would feel excluded. Its called common courtesy. But yeah, that's my whoop. In my mind when 1 person out of the 4 cannot speak or understand the language, then it is an exlusion - especially when its an extended period of time. But I'm a person that always tries to include others in a group setting.
Would not "common courtesy" allow for people who share a common language to speak that common language amongst themselves? Would not "common courtesy" expect of YOU, the odd man out, so to speak, understand that a (small) group of people are NATURALLY going to speak their common language between themselves regardless of your presence (again, not on the floor but in the break room)? That "common courtesy" thang works both ways, IMO. Especially when YOU are considered the native of the country regardless of the language you're hearing in the break room.
Would not "common courtesy" allow for people who share a common language to speak that common language amongst themselves? Would not "common courtesy" expect of YOU, the odd man out, so to speak, understand that a (small) group of people are NATURALLY going to speak their common language between themselves regardless of your presence (again, not on the floor but in the break room)? That "common courtesy" thang works both ways, IMO. Especially when YOU are considered the native of the country regardless of the language you're hearing in the break room.
No. Common courtesy has the purpose of making people feel comfortable and included, not excluded. If there is a language which is common to ALL present, that language should be used. (See my example in a previous post concerning the use of ASL). If those conversing feel the need to use a language not understood by all (for instance to clarify a concept or thought not easily expressed in the common language) then it would be courteous for a member of the group to provide a quick translation - as in "Sally was just saying she didn't know how to explain X,Y,Z, in English". I have a coworker with limited English and our other coworker who speaks her native language will do this quite often. It helps both of us. I'm picking up more of her language and she is improving her English skills rapidly. This is what happens when coworkers want to get along with each other.
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
Geez. I really have to wonder about the mental stability of some of you concerned about other people who are speaking in their native tongue around you. Do you also get upset when you see two people whispering? Do you feel that you have to be a part of every conversation?
I see so much talk of being 'excluded' from a conversation. Well, if it's already a private conversation to begin with, why do you feel that you have to be included?
As I said before, if it involves patient care, then I could see where it would be an issue. Otherwise, who cares???
Would not "common courtesy" allow for people who share a common language to speak that common language amongst themselves? Would not "common courtesy" expect of YOU, the odd man out, so to speak, understand that a (small) group of people are NATURALLY going to speak their common language between themselves regardless of your presence (again, not on the floor but in the break room)? That "common courtesy" thang works both ways, IMO. Especially when YOU are considered the native of the country regardless of the language you're hearing in the break room.
This is the nurses station, not the break room. I understand when it is two people that are talking and it is private, but it is hard to understand when it is 3 and I'm the odd man out. Honestly I don't think for a minute think they are talking about me, and I could care less. But its makes for a long night when you are constantly left out of the converstation. Like I said I am someone that goes out of my way to make others feel included, so I guess I just think others should do the same. I'll get over it. :)
I have lived in another country and I understand it is nice to have someone that you can converse with in your own language.
In my mind when 1 person out of the 4 cannot speak or understand the language, then it is an exlusion - especially when its an extended period of time. But I'm a person that always tries to include others in a group setting.
lpnstudentin2010, LPN
1,318 Posts
I would not want to be able to hear someone who was caring for me speaking spanish, or any other language other then english. Even if at that second they were not doing anything for me.
I find it akward to have people speak other languages when I do not know what they are saying. If my nurse or CNA did it I would worry they were complaining about me.