"No Hable Espanol" on my business cards.(update)

[alienken]

I put on my business cards "No Hablo Espanol" and recieved my first complaint.I am a Termite Inspector and I am affiliated with a Home Inspector who told me that the Hispanic client complained to him that I had "I don't like Mexicans and don't want their business" on the termite report. I told him about the no hablo espanol on the business card. I was trying to communicate that I don't know spanish... I think this shows 2 things about some people. 1). Some people see what they want to see. 2). Some people will go out of their way to be offended.

 

[SFLRN]

I put on my business cards "No Hablo Espanol" and recieved my first complaint.I am a Termite Inspector and I am affiliated with a Home Inspector who told me that the Hispanic client complained to him that I had "I don't like Mexicans and don't want their business" on the termite report. I told him about the no hablo espanol on the business card. I was trying to communicate that I don't know spanish... I think this shows 2 things about some people. 1). Some people see what they want to see. 2). Some people will go out of their way to be offended.

Unfortunately that is sometimes the case.

 

[alienken]

Unfortunately that is sometimes the case.

This is the slow season and I am now afraid of offending a future customer and losing business.I find myself giving them only to obvious white people or not using them at all.

 

[disneydude]

The reason that you state that you put this on your business card might be completely legitimate. I can understand why some people might read more into it because it does single out a particular group (there are probably many other languages that you don't speak as well).

The question that I have is - Why would you as a businessman want to limit your potential customer base?
If you truly put the comment on the card to explain that you don't speak Spanish rather than as a political statement I would suggest that you say something like:

I appreciate your business, however I don't speak Spanish
or
While I appreciate any and all business I only speak English
or
leave it silent.

Just a suggestion.

 

[disneydude]

I put on my business cards "No Hablo Espanol" and recieved my first complaint.I am a Termite Inspector and I am affiliated with a Home Inspector who told me that the Hispanic client complained to him that I had "I don't like Mexicans and don't want their business" on the termite report. I told him about the no hablo espanol on the business card. I was trying to communicate that I don't know spanish... I think this shows 2 things about some people. 1). Some people see what they want to see. 2). Some people will go out of their way to be offended.

Its kinda funny. I thought this sounded a little familar and so I went back and found that you had posted on this before (hence the "update - I missed it).
But the point is....you state in this post that

1. Some people see what they want to see
2. Some people will go out of their way to be offended.

When this is exactly what you intended to do. So its a little disingenous of you to fault people for taking it as a political statement or being offended by it when you clearly state in your original post that this was your intention - to make a political statement about undocumented immigration and the "degradation" of American society.

 

[alienken]

Its kinda funny. I thought this sounded a little familar and so I went back and found that you had posted on this before (hence the "update - I missed it).
But the point is....you state in this post that

1. Some people see what they want to see
2. Some people will go out of their way to be offended.

When this is exactly what you intended to do. So its a little disingenous of you to fault people for taking it as a political statement or being offended by it when you clearly state in your original post that this was your intention - to make a political statement about undocumented immigration and the "degradation" of American society.

No. The political side is this...Why is it my responsibilty to learn Spanish and cater to foreigners? I have never heard a valid reason why they can't learn our language. It's because of this "cater to them mentality" that let's them function in our society without learning our language. I have a neighbor across the street, their whole family does not speak English.They are good people and have a nicer house than I do and I have nothing against them. I can't get to know them because of the language barrier. The initial point is this- I service customers of all shapes,colors, and sizes but I can't even begin to help them if we can't comunicate.It amazes me that people mistake this for some kind of prejudis. This is not about illegal immigration, it's about a language barrier that will keep us all seperate.

 

[alienken]

The reason that you state that you put this on your business card might be completely legitimate. I can understand why some people might read more into it because it does single out a particular group (there are probably many other languages that you don't speak as well).

The question that I have is - Why would you as a businessman want to limit your potential customer base?
If you truly put the comment on the card to explain that you don't speak Spanish rather than as a political statement I would suggest that you say something like:

I appreciate your business, however I don't speak Spanish
or
While I appreciate any and all business I only speak English
or
leave it silent.

Just a suggestion.

I limit my potential customer base by the ones who speak English and are offended. The ones that can't speak English will never be my costomers without translators.I'm an exterminator and there are many bug problems that you can have.Most of the time the bugs will not be there when I'm there so it is important to be able to discuss with the home owner to troubleshoot the problem so I can do a successful treatment. I will consider changing it to "English only please" on my next batch of cards. It means the same thing but I will not be targeting Hispanics though I guarente you there will still be people offended.

 

[disneydude]

No. The political side is this...Why is it my responsibilty to learn Spanish and cater to foreigners? I have never heard a valid reason why they can't learn our language. It's because of this "cater to them mentality" that let's them function in our society without learning our language. I have a neighbor across the street, their whole family does not speak English.They are good people and have a nicer house than I do and I have nothing against them. I can't get to know them because of the language barrier. The initial point is this- I service customers of all shapes,colors, and sizes but I can't even begin to help them if we can't comunicate.It amazes me that people mistake this for some kind of prejudis. This is not about illegal immigration, it's about a language barrier that will keep us all seperate.

On one hand I understand what you are saying. However, you are not being completely honest when you say that this is "not about illegal immigration". You yourself indicated in your original post that this was a political statement and you have made several posts on these boards about undocumented people. I am not faulting your opinions.....but I just think that you can't say that your are being completely apolitical with the statement on these cards.
You say "English only please"....again....either you don't have a lot of tact (I'm not criticizing) or your ARE trying to make a political statement.
If not, why not just put what I suggested "While I appreciate any and all business- we only speak English".
Its a little more neutral.
But somehow I suspect that you want to use the stronger language because you want to make a point. Its a risky venture for a businessman to do. You might gain some customers that share your view but you might alienate others who think you are being a bit right-wing political.
Thats your choice as a businessman. I just know with competition being what it is and the economy being what it is....I would probably be a little more conservative and not try to politicize my business....but hey....thats me.

Oh....by the way....I never said that you should learn to speak Spanish and they shouldn't learn English. I think that learning English is important for anyone who lives in this country. It would certainly make their lives easier. I know many people try to learn English...but learning foreign languages is not always that easy for everyone....some people pick it up easier than others.

As far as you learning Spanish....thats your choice. It could probably help your business...but I understand if you have no desire to do so.
Living here in LA I would LOVE to be able to speak Spanish. I would also love to speak Korean (LA has the largest Korean population outside Korea)...Education is a good thing....and it doesn't mean that you are rejecting your "English" values...it simply means you are learning another language and perhaps learning about another culture.

 

[alienken]

On one hand I understand what you are saying. However, you are not being completely honest when you say that this is "not about illegal immigration". You yourself indicated in your original post that this was a political statement and you have made several posts on these boards about undocumented people. I am not faulting your opinions.....but I just think that you can't say that your are being completely apolitical with the statement on these cards.
You say "English only please"....again....either you don't have a lot of tact (I'm not criticizing) or your ARE trying to make a political statement.
If not, why not just put what I suggested "While I appreciate any and all business- we only speak English".
Its a little more neutral.
But somehow I suspect that you want to use the stronger language because you want to make a point. Its a risky venture for a businessman to do. You might gain some customers that share your view but you might alienate others who think you are being a bit right-wing political.
Thats your choice as a businessman. I just know with competition being what it is and the economy being what it is....I would probably be a little more conservative and not try to politicize my business....but hey....thats me.

.

I don't mind the statement being as nice as possible but-"while we appreciate any and all business - we only speak English" is alot to put on a business card above the phone number....Yes I am being honest, this is not about illegal immigration (I admit to being against it). There are Enlgish speaking Illegals and non-English speaking Illegals. It's not there legality that prevents me from serving them, it's the communication problem.