My husband and I had a nice day going out and about today. We decided to go to dinner at a Chinese buffet. Since we live in Dallas/Fort Worth, we live in a very multi-cultural, multi-ethnic community. North Dallas has a particularly large range of ethnicities. As I entered the restaurant, I noticed all those eating dinner were very diverse. Just guestimating, I would say the mix was about 30% Asian, 25% Latino, 10% Black and about 35% Northern European. The restaurant was owned and operated by an Asian family and all the workers were Asian.
The food was wonderful and fresh. Tonight, being Friday, they featured Seafood including Crab legs, Salmon and Shrimp. They also had a sushi bar (I don't like sushi) and a mongolian buffet.
The price was very economical too.
The restaurant was somewhat crowded and the buffet lines were full. Everyone was enjoying the buffet and very cordial as we tried not to bump into each other. There was one minor exception. This woman kept going up to the help and asking, "Do you speak English?" She seemed somewhat exasperated. As I said, the restaurant was owned and operated by an Asian family. They spoke English but with a very thick, thick accent. They were also somewhat shy and seemed humble, yet accommodating. They kept responding to the woman, "yes" in a quiet voice. The woman asking if they spoke English just kept going from person to person. I almost felt like asking her, "What do you want. Just ask it." But I didn't. I decided to just ignore her as everyone else was. Finally she went back and sat down. I overheard her complaining about the help but she really didn't want anything else from the buffet. I think she wanted more of a certain dish that had run low, but she never did ask the question even though they kept saying yes. Her husband just shook his head and mostly ignored her. He was munching away. The food was really good.
As I thought about it later, I think if I were to offer her advice, I would have suggested she just ask her question. I am sure they would have been very accommodating. We live in a very multi cultural society and we all should learn to accept it and embrace it.
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5 comments:
Ugh. That sounds so annoying. I think what she's means to ask is if there is anyone in the restaurant who doesn't speak with an accent. Because if you say "yes" with an accent, do don't speak real english, right? Just a guess.
It was.
The staff was so helpful and courteous, very available for refills, etc although they were quiet and shy.
The woman was very loud and kept repeating the same question. I agree. It was like she was annoyed by their accents.
Gee, you'd think immigrants can learn to speak without an accent already! After all, they've been here long enough to open and run a restaurant, right?
It's rather interesting that someone would go to a ethnic restaurant run by recent immigrants and then feel she needed to query each person as to their English skills.
All to often, people who have issues of "real English" versus "accented English" then look at 2nd, 3rd, 4th and beyond generations of Asian Americans and give them the all pervasive: "You speak such good English."
Wonderful Chinese food and Wonderful People. We are going to live in a World in which Chinese Things are very important, or we are already now !
Talking of Chinese People : There are several Chinese Candidates, Muslim, Latino and Anglo Candidates for Next Election or Elections in California.
The seat vacated by Hilda Solis at the U. S. House of Representatives
New Election or Elections
But there is a very young latino, 26, He is very close to Obama ( in his campaign and in the transition team ) ... That guy is Emanuel Pleitez, my favorite, he is a financial expert coming from extreme poverty.
Pasadena Star News
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_12085642
12 file for Solis' congressional seat
By Rebecca Kimitch
April 07/2009
12 file for Solis' congressional seat
Some excerpts :
Twelve candidates have entered the race to represent the 32nd Congressional District seat vacated by Hilda Solis. Candidates had until Monday to file papers to be placed on the ballot for the May 19 primary.
In addition to front-runners Gil Cedillo, a state senator representing Los Angeles, and Judy Chu, a state Board of Equalization member, the Democratic slate includes: Francisco Alonso, who is retired; former Solis deputy district director Benita Duran; independent filmmaker and actor Stefan Lysenko; attorney Nick Juan Mostert; businessman Rafael Nadal; and financial analyst Emanuel Pleitez.
Though the district is largely considered Democratic — with registered Democrats outnumbering Republicans 2-1 — three Republicans will also compete for the seat: Betty Tom Chu, who was elected to the Monterey Park City Council last month; restaurateur Teresa Hernandez, who owns Cielito Lindo restaurant in South El Monte; and former Covina mayor David Truax. Libertarian Christopher Agrella, a self-employed businessman, also filed papers.
All twelve candidates will face off on one ballot in the primary.
If one candidate earns more than 50 percent of the vote, he or she takes the seat. If not, the top vote-getters from each party move on to the general election on July 14.
More Information on Emanuel Pleitez, Youth and their candidates here :
Milenials.com
Vicente Duque
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