Associated Press
May 29, 2008

MIAMI (AP) - Melissa Green’s mother spoke Spanish, but she never learned - her father forbid it. Today, that’s a frequent problem in this city where the English-speaking population is outnumbered.

The 49-year-old flower shop owner and Miami native said her inability to speak “espanol” makes it difficult to conduct business, seek help at stores and even ask directions. She finds it “frustrating.”

“It makes it hard for some people to find a job because they don’t speak Spanish, and I don’t think that it is right,” said Green, who sometimes calls a Spanish-speaking friend to translate for customers who don’t speak English.

“Sometimes I think they should learn it,” she said.

In many areas of Miami, Spanish has become the predominant language, replacing English in everyday life. Anyone from Latin America could feel at home on the streets, without having to pronounce a single word in English.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080529/D90V6OEO0.html

Miami is like little Cuba... and thier spanish can be pretty dificult to understand in the first place, imo, because of the differente dialect... This is why I mostly speak english to my Cuban Brother-in-law, 'heh.

^^^lmao!!

we are runnin these crakas out of the DADE!! all they do is bitch but aint nobody give a fuck.

Yes, I agree, I have seen other forums that are less than tolerant stating that by not learning English shows lack of consideration for the U.S or integrating into society.
IMHO...I feel that most know enough english to get their needs met, understand it moreso than they speak it.
The problem I see here is alot of ASSumptions by non-spanish speaking individuals that ASSume just because people choose to speak their native tongue they must not know English, tolerance and understanding goes a long way folks.

If Melissa Green is that bothered by these people not knowing English and thinks low of them, then she doesn't have to conduct business with them. Fact is, money is a universal language so she has to consider where she has set up shop and adjust her business accordingly. She doesn't have to provide Spanish services to these people, just as they do not have to conduct business with her.