Gripes

[Lily]

1) The constant changing of perfectly okay software, computers etc.

2) Automated phone answering systems. (Listen to the following 100 options!)

3) Abbreviations that never spell out what they stand for.

4) Packaging designed to make it impossible to get into.

5) Websites that insist you type in a code that's impossible to read.

6) Employees who can't speak English answering the phone.

[Lily]

I'm still using MS Word 2000 for word processing. It works just fine. Why change? I'm also still using an older version of Paint, because I don't like the new one.

It feels good to vent! I recommend it! ;D

[horseman]

Free sites offering something "Free" then asking for a credit card number, so they can charge you a buck.

I am with you on the non-English speaking employees on the phone also.

[BlueLotus]

No whats worse is watching someone pay for 3-4 cases of beer with 100 dollar bills and then buying food with foodstamps. all while their fat kid stands screaming that they want another candy bar, bag of chips or what ever. >_>

[Lily]

Dec 30, 2011 10:15:26 GMT -5 horseman said:

Free sites offering something "Free" then asking for a credit card number, so they can charge you a buck.

I am with you on the non-English speaking employees on the phone also.

Yes, and it might surprise you to learn that many of these people were born and grew up in the West!!! I used to live near an area that had a large Persian community, and I'd hear them talking in their own language to their young children. Now some of those kids do know a little English, but it's faltering and heavily accented. This is going to be a major handicap when they enter the job market.

It's puzzling that this would be overlooked by the Persians, who have formed a hard working, respectable and affluent community. Many own their own businesses. In short, they're good citizens and an asset to the West. Unless they plan that the children will simply work in the family business. But if this is the case, I feel it's restrictive and unfair to the child. S/he is entitled to a choice. The language of the land you live in should always take precedence.

[bubblegum91]

I agree with Lily. People would look at you in horror if you suggested such a thing, calling you a 'racist' for denying someone their own language, but it doesn't have to be one or the other. My mum is from Fiji, speaks Hindi whenever she desires, wears saris when she wants and cooks her own native dishes. Yet she was quite happy to learn English and accommodate to the very care free, laid back lifestyle we have. I was taught both Hindi and English, though the lack of practice has made me loose alot of Hindi. I still regret that. I don't understand why people make such a big deal when you request immigrants to learn English, or whatever the language of the land is, it's not racism, it's trying to help these people with their lives!
/rant

[Lily]

Canada's multiculturalism policies have been particularly negative on the very people they're supposed to help. Encouraging immigrants to practice their own culture and speak their own language, rather than assimilate, is condemning them to a language ghetto with very limited opportunities. They're doomed to live in a state of self-imposed segregation, and never be a part of the mainstream.

If I planned to immigrate to a non-English speaking country, I'd be swatting up on their language and customs long before I stepped onto the plane. I wouldn't want to live in some restricted enclave of English speakers. What's the point of immigrating if you're going to end up in a microcosm of what you just left?

There are very practical reasons why everyone in a country must speak the same language. Public safety is at risk when they don't. And as Bubblegum said, it doesn't have to be one thing or another. Children can be brought up to be fully bilingual.