[Debbie B]

I was raised by a Cuban mother who came from a very wealthy and priviledged background. Obviously she had the best ‘finishing’ educations. I have been taught to always ‘speak Up’ to the hired help. In other words I might speak using slang and the common ‘tu’ in Spanish to my friends and family. But I always use proper Spanish and the formal ‘usted’ when speaking to hired help (maids, gardeners, etc). By using the formal ‘Usted’ I am showing the utmost respect that I can to this person. As my mother used to say, ‘These are the people cleaning your toilet, I know you don’t want to do it, so you need to show respect to the one who is.’ I see it as ‘un-demeaning’. Now as a succesful ‘rich’ adult I still use ‘Usted when speaking in Spanish to household hired help, I do not do the same to professional help. I find the only people I speak down to, are ones that are ignorant through their own fault, and people who are asking for it by using incorrect grammar in English or Spanish. I feel strongly that if you are going to demean yourself by not learning or using correct grammar and syntax then I have no obligation to show you any type of respect. For example I feel strongly that using ‘ebonics’ is a way to alienate oneself from the rest of society, or at the very least pointing out differences between that person and myself. If one wants to be treated equally one should act like an equal. English is my third language, and if I can make the effort to speak it and write it correctly, then someone who has been in this country for many generations should also know how to speak it and write it correctly. I made the effort to fit in, respect the culture of my host country and respect all walks of life (rich,poor, white, black, green or yellow) but really people who want respect should command it through their words and actions….As I said the only time I will speak down to someone is one who is showing the lack of respect they have for themselves by not using proper grammar…..

User Detail :  

Name : Debbie B, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Agnostic, Age : 32, City : West Palm Beach, State : FL, Country : United States, Occupation : Real Estate Broker, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

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