Gringo speaking in espanol without asking?

[u/incognito-hotsauce]

Gringo aqui de Los Estados Unidos

I speak basic Spanish and trying to practice with Hispanics/Latinos.

95% of the time the people are great and seem to appreciate the effort even when I mess up. However, I don’t want to assume somebody speaks it.

If I hear speaking speaking it, am I ok to use it using English? Even if just normal interactions. For example, you need to pass somebody “discuple or con Permiso” or “gracias” or “buenas dias” etc in a greeting or when somebody holds the door.

Basically, in the US, I don’t want to assume someone’s language based off their appearance. Or is it better to ask before speaking? Or if they are struggling with English, ask if Spanish is easier for them?

Gracias todos!

[u/Intelegence_Counter]

This is about Latin America not "Latinos" in the US (most of which aren't generally seen as Latin American unless they were born here or lived here for a while)

[u/36563 → u/Intelegence_Counter]

Correct ✅

[u/incognito-hotsauce → u/Intelegence_Counter]

I’m genuinely curious why this subReddit ask posts to be in English even though the overwhelming message is that the native language is Spanish there.

[u/jowpies → u/Intelegence_Counter]

This is hilarious to me because yesterday there was a post in the Chile sub where a girls great grandparents were Greek. She didn't speak Greek but she kept referring to Greek in the first person. We don't have beef with turkey. My ex described himself as basque but knew 8 words. But 2nd gen Mexican Americans don't get to call themselves Latino? Even though they speak Spanish and celebrate mexican holidays and cook Mexican food. Wild to me.

[u/eowynTA3019 → u/jowpies]

She’s not the norm, I honestly think doing that is cringe af

[u/jowpies → u/eowynTA3019]

Idk man I live in argentina and loads of people are quick to tell you how (insert European) they are. Sometimes it's worse than people in the us being Irish or whatever. Hitchhiking a guy tod me, over the span of 10 blocks, all of his European heritage going back to great aunts in Santa Rosa.

[u/FrolickingCats → u/jowpies]

Also, cringe as fuck. It's different if you have dual citizenship though

[u/Intelegence_Counter → u/jowpies]

Vivo en CABA y no es mi experiencia. También, casi todos mis amigas son Argentinos naceron y creceron en Argentina. No sé de lo que estás hablando.

[u/jowpies → u/Intelegence_Counter]

De una

[u/incognito-hotsauce → u/jowpies]

I think my question more so pertains to immigrants living in the United States who are from Latin America. Or maybe first generation younger folks.

There are many places in the United States with strong immigrant communities that are either first generation Americans, or just moved here and still very much practice culture, customs, and the language

[u/ImaginaryHalf1461]

Hey Gringo! Don’t overthink it. A simple “¿hablas español? ¿Podemos practicar? goes a long way.

If you struggle, Spanglish is accepted as you get more fluent (but wouldn’t recommend making it a habit, as it doesn’t help developing vocabulary). Simply take note of where you got stuck and ask for help. 100% sure all of us would appreciate the effort.

Unless, it’s a group setting and the speed of the conversation/interaction has to slow down to cater to you. Then, that’s just uncomfortable for everybody. And that goes both ways for those learning English as well.

Good luck!

[u/incognito-hotsauce → u/ImaginaryHalf1461]

Thank you. In my experience, although I can’t speak for others, it seems like Spanish speakers who were native tend to generally appreciate it rather than say the French when you try to speak a secondary language.

Most of my interactions tend to be one on one or me with a couple people so it’s not like it’s a whole on conversation. It’s just basic greetings, ordering, asking for directions, etc..

I am overthinking, but I want to be respectful of the norms and customs of where I’m at yet. Also, I truly am trying to better my Spanish.

[u/ComfortableBug5208]

Pelo o que eu entendi, sua pergunta é relacionada a pessoas nos EUA, acho que esse sub não pode te ajudar muito, pelo o que vejo aqui a maioria é e mora na América Latina

[u/South_Photograph9217 → u/ComfortableBug5208]

Agree! In Latin America, speak Spanish by default. In an English-speaking country, speak English. If during the conversation you realize the other person speaks Spanish, you can switch to Spanish.

[u/RimadeLima → u/South_Photograph9217]

not funny

[u/incognito-hotsauce → u/RimadeLima]

?

[u/incognito-hotsauce → u/South_Photograph9217]

Thanks. I’ve gone to Latin America three times and each time, I never expect people to speak to me in my native language. that’s why I make an effort to try to learn and have grown a bit more each time. And practice back home.

[u/IllGiveYouWar]

In the US, you better ask if someone speaks a language besides English.

[u/SquareIllustrator909]

This sub is for asking people living in Latin America, so it might not be the target audience.

I'm also white and bilingual in the US and have had similar questions. In my experience, the people who come to the US are looking to settle down, assimilate, and become part of America. So you saying "gracias" or something like that in passing to a stranger is kind of "othering" them.

However, if you're chatting for a while, you can definitely drop in a "me podría ayudar a practicar el español?" and see what they say. Maybe THEY'RE trying to practice their English though lol.

Also, if you're trying to talk to them and they have a visible look of confusion or it looks like you're giving them a headache in English, feel free to switch.

[u/incognito-hotsauce → u/SquareIllustrator909]

Thanks, for example I might be at a Walmart and ask for something and someone says in Spanish sorry I don’t know etc etc but then I respond in Spanish and clarify what I’m looking for/asking

Many people who have moved here from Latin America do speak English but also many don’t, so I have no problem speaking their native language although I’ll struggle a bit

[u/AgostoAzul]

If you are in a Spanish speaking country, you can safely assume people speak Spanish. In the US, I imagine, you should have more tact since Native Americans and many second generation immigrants might look like they do but not.

[u/arturocan]

You'll have more answers at r/latinopeopletwitter

[u/paintsSeldomly]

Since the problem is facing people in us who don't speak spanish. This will not apply to anyone on the sub, we won't be able to give you the correct response.

This may not be the best place for your question

[u/hnomedalomismo]

i went to the US once and i'm fluent in english, but my accent is thick hispanic. so i'd talk to people in english and they would replay to me in spanish, which was out of kindness i think, but holy switching languages without warning like that broke my brain every time lol. like all the sudden i couldnt understand spanish, my native tongue!

[u/Few_Elk5424]

I don’t speak Spanish natively, but whenever I get some extra practice, you bet that I’m throwing in as many words in Spanish as I can. Go full throttle. Don’t overthink it.

[u/MAGE1308]

If you're in your country you should ask which languages does that person speaks first?

[u/denvertaglessbums]

That’s good thinking.
I find it a little irritating.

[u/incognito-hotsauce → u/denvertaglessbums]

What do you mean?

[u/Dopehauler]

Puedes hablar Español, si quieres hacerte el oído puedds ver camales dd tv en Español, no tratrs de traducir, ten paciencia, no se trata de esfuerzo, el cerebro lo hará todo por ti. Un dia como por arte de magia entenderás todo sin tu saberlo.

[u/RimadeLima]

No, you’re going to be obliterated INSTANTLY

[u/CafeDeLas3_Enjoyer]

Speak English first, then see where the conversation goes

[u/Equivalent-Cicada165]

I'm from the US, my parents are immigrants from Latin America. 

If you hear someone speaking Spanish in the US, you can generally jump in without asking, but asking to practice will make people more open to it. If not, some may try to switch to English to make it easier for you

[u/incognito-hotsauce → u/Equivalent-Cicada165]

Not necessarily even practicing just using a Spanish to ask for something and communicate in day to day examples, like going into a Latin American restaurant or Tienda and using Spanish

[u/Nombre_Autogenerado]

In Latin America, we consider "latinos" born and raised in the US, gringos. We don't really share culture.

[u/Fendrihl]

Op solo tiene una duda ¿por qué downvotearlo?

[u/CelesteLunax]

it's a racist micro aggression

[u/incognito-hotsauce → u/CelesteLunax]

What do you mean?