Why English Can Seem So Rude - Learn to Speak Spanish

An interesting thing happened to me yesterday and it made me realise quite a few things.

Yesterday I spoke to a recently new mum in our school. Its the first time we spoke since September. Im not too sure why but Ive had a feeling for a while that she didnt really want to talk. I just felt something wasnt quite right and did her best to avoid eye contact and any kind of communication with me.

But yesterday our kids started to play when leaving school, so she kind of had no choice but to talk and I introduced myself for the first time. "Oh you are English" "I thought you were Spanish" she said.

So my feelings were right, she had been avoiding me - but not because she didnt like me (well I dont think anyway) but because of her fears of not being able to communicate with me.

(if you are the mum that happens to be reading this, please dont take offence, I and many people have done the same probably but without realising it).

In the past I have actually done the same. When I took my daughter to Flamenco a few years back, I was the only English Person there and was scared to engage in conversation so probably did exactly the same and came across a little rude.

Although my Spanish is ok, the fact that I have been here 7 years and I dont know every single word or tense - I actually feel ashamed - although many Spanish say that Im very good and have many Spanish friends and always speaking it.

If you dont speak Spanish and live here at least learn the basics. Spanish people arent aliens, many of them especially Spanish Parents at these International Schools speak a little or even perfect English. Also what I have found is even if they dont speak it they understand it.

Spanish people are very forgiving even if you just say "Hola" "Lo siento no hablo español. An "Hola" and a smile can go a very long way.

If you are embarrased by not being able to speak Spanish - then do something about it. Learn it! It doesnt have to cost a fortune. Start of with kids books, cds, watch telly with subtitiles.

Many words you will already know...anything ending in ent is sounded ent-te for example. different is differente, excellent is excellente, and if you look at all those words you already know some Spanish.

Get a good teacher to explain how the language works and that will make learning so much easier. Like anything good foundation is really important.