Re: Well, I wouldn't need to learn spanish...

Additionally, it irks me when they all speak in spanish and then start laughing at you. If you've ever been around a lot of mexican people, you'll know what I mean. It seems like they all do this. I'd really like to know what they are saying.

When they are all laughing, they are probably NOT laughing at you. Probably one of them said something witty, or crude, or told a joke. There are lots of reasons to laugh. Next time you are hanging with your friends, see if you can remember to count all the times that everybody laughs. Then ask yourself if Mexicans aren't liable to laugh as they talk to each other too.

BTW, other nationalities do the same thing - I have frequently observed it - and in one case a Mexican was present while a number of men of another nationality started talking in their native language and occasionally laughing. The Mexican turned to me and said, "Now I understand why Americans get upset when we're speaking in Spanish."

A few times people have asked if it bothers me when co-workers are talking in their own language, because they could be talking about me. I tell them, "Well, I just figure they are telling each other how wonderful I am, but use a language I don't understand because they don't want to embarrass me with their praise."

In truth, we all feel a bit put out when we seem to be left out of the group, but it usually isn't intentional on anybody's part. Do you take steps to make sure you and your friends don't laugh when in the presence of a non-English speaker, to be certain not to offend him? Or do you tend to forget that he's there when the conversation really gets rolling? As for myself, I figure if I'm going to have unrealistic expectations about how much attention others are paying to me, I might as well err in my favor and enjoy it.