Spanish has been the language in Taos since 200+ years BEFORE the United States even existed. These aren't "immigrants" - their great-great-great-great-great grandparents lived and died there, and so have generation after generation down to the present day; the Anglos are the newcomers. How many Anglo families have roots in America that go back to the 1500s? (And this is not even mentioning the Native Americans who founded Taos in the first place.)

This guy blows in from North Carolina by way of Texas and demands that people change their names and speak his language when their families have been there for hundreds of years. What arrogance!

I don't usually get hot during these postings, but this is insensitivity piled on top of ignorance and bigotry.

Exactly, I think people fail to realize their own true roots these days. Fortunately, we live in times in which most people have become much more aware of race relations. There are still many that will just never understand that its ok to be something other than a white person, or to speak a language other than English. Unless you're in a business, or some other work related position it shouldn't matter what language is spoken ... if it offends you so much then go learn it.

Even the founding fathers realized that freedom of speech should come with no limitations on language, something I believe many fail to grasp these days.

Sorry but Spanish was not the language prevailing in Taos. The Spanish came in and forced the people to adopt Spanish names.

Taos was founded near the Taos pueblo. Separate communities. Taos was Spanish from the start. Taos pueblo was the Native American settlement.

That said, the Spaniards did displace the indigenous people, often with horrible brutality. They treated the Native Americans as badly, in fact, as the other European settlers, including the French, English, Dutch, Swedes, and Germans, along with the Russians on the west coast.

Really, Dr Know? The same way the pilgrims came and forced natives to speak english and adopt Christianity?

The man operates a legal business. If certain employees have traits, habits or impediments of ANY KIND impacting the success of his business he has the right and responsibility to ask them to change or find a job more suitable to their personal traits, habits, background or beliefs. There is nothing religious, Constitutional, ethic, historic or prejudicial about it - its business. Very likely it's a business paying taxes that support others in the area who cannot or will not work - at anything.

oh my god rick please go find a hole full of neanderthals to crawl into.

This is America. No one is making anyone have to work in the hotel. Lets not forget this guy was called in to help save the failing business. Ever consider why it was failing? If they don't like the new boss then leave; don't let the door hit you in the back side on the way out. Ever call for computer support? You get a man or woman with a very heavy Middle Eastern accent saying, "Hi, my name is Steve/Susan, how can I help you?" Do you honestly think he is "Steve" or she is "Susan?" Hardly.

DRP.....are you sure you WANT to comment about people needing to learn English? Re-read your own stuff and give us all a break

The guy with the hotel employees, They need to be happy they have a job, call me waht you want , just pay me at the end of the week!

My goodness Rick...this about the staff communicating among themselves, not with the public. I fail to see what the problem is when the staff speak a language other than English between others of the same language! Is Mr. Whitten really so insecure that he believes every conversation is about him? How paranoid and narcisstic! As for changing names...how difficult is Marcos? We all know about Marco Polo and no one gets his name confused, or how about Mario, or Taco Bell or Rosarita, El Paso, chihuahua, Santa Fe, etc...where there is a will, there is a way. Since when does knowing another language impact business? These people already speak English and they are as American as you and I. We're talking respect for people...Mr. Whitten has none and he's in the 'hospitality business'? Maybe he should start hospitality with his own staff!

Why are so many people unaware of the fact that the USA does not have an official language? Until we make Englishthe official language people have just as much of a right to speak Spanish or Croatian as they do English. I do not agree with it either but not agreeing with something does not change the fact.

Mr. Witten should get out of there and move wyoming or something if he doesnt want people to speak spanish.

Do as your boss tells you or find another job. He gives you money to do what he tells you. Nobody says that you can't quit. If enough people don't like the way he runs his business. He won't be around, right? Sounds like he has been successful. Maybe they could offer to buy the motel and do with it what they want. You get to call the shots in your home right?

As an American of Hispanic descent, notice I said AMERICAN, I feel the owner has the right to set terms on who speaks what on his property.

I use this as a precedent, Latinos have used the language card to get government jobs, making those jobs unavailable to better qualified Anglos just because the Latino applicant speaks Spanish. We all have to press a button to get the language we want to speak now in this country. So if Americans have to bend over for Latinos in their own country , then Latinos need to give respect to this country and its citizens,

As far as who was here first is not material, who has won the reins is all that matters. Mexicans and the Spaniards lost to the Americans and what wasn't won in battle was ceded later by those governments to the USA, because they felt that felt the bother was not worth it.

Now that we have the truth, there is one more truth. Latino are campaigning to take this country without firing a shot. I've heard it among non-American Latinos and those who feel disenfranchised and therefore have become Latino Nationalist.

They are a threat to the history and unity of the nation, if they get close to success, their will be a civil war. then the nation will begin to fall into the deeps of another third world nation.

OK. It is AMERICA. NOT AMERECONA. I am a vet and dam proud of it. Yes I am white. But my for fathers said that the language is ENGLISH. You dam right he has the right to chang anything he wants. Yes I will be staying in his motel/hotel dang thouse American words shur sounds dang good. So Mr Witten Keep the good work up. See you SOON

It is rude & unprofessional for the hispanics to speak mexican (not Spanish) around non-mexican speaking Americans in America. Many of us have had them talk about in our faces while assuming we don't speak their language. Well I do and have fired them for misconduct before. If an american raised person says derogatory things about his boss - he better have a job lined up. These people need to learn that they can't keep breaking our laws and ethics and expect to be welcomed. We will not turn our great country into their third world slum.

The Spanish were of course evil invaders were they not.

I don't agree that they should have to change their names. Nobody is going to make me change mine.

I do agree with him asking the empoyees to speak English in his presence or to any hotel guests. If a hotel guest doesn't speak English, then it's ok to speak spanish. But where does it stop? My perception is that the large part of the hispanic (and other nationalities) community hold nothing but contempt for Americans or truely being an American.

There is a monument in LA the says' This land was once ours and it will be again'. I think that is a pretty clear message about the hispanics attitude toward America and Americans.

If they live in America they should be willing to speak English instead of bitching and calling it racist.

Suck it up....Now you know how the Natives felt when their land was taken over. What goes around....

Exactly PB. This guy paid for what he has. He didn't come in and conquer. His hotel his rules. Speak english or get out. If it was a spanish speaking hotel. It wouldn't make it without a english speaking person there to talk to the guests. What is wrong with him wanting english only. I think that is how every business should be in America. Why do people who don't speak the language of a diffrent country get penalized in America. I know of government jobs that if you are not bi-lingul. You can't apply. Your tax money is supporting this and it is wrong. If they want to live here learn our language. Don't take away from someone that doesn't speak english for their benefit. If you want to be an American show it. If you just want the benefits of our country get the hell out.

We are one of only a few developed nations that isn't fluent in more than one language. It's time for America to grow up and stop acting like a spoiled child. There is an entire world outside of America.

Stop whinning and learn another language because it's good for you!

You should get your history straight, this was Native American country and their language was the actual language here until the anglos stepped in and took over, so in all honesty, they protest to what is right.  Taos is a Native american and native mexican town, part of New Mexico.  I think the NEW MEXICO says it all, don't ya think?

Why waste our time to speak a diffrent language. I think we should all agree on one so we can communicate. The rest of the world is trying to learn english so they can communicate with us. If they don't they miss out. So why do I have to learn another language in America when it should be english only. If I decided to move to another country, then I should learn their language so I could communicate with them. Not tell them that they should speak english for me. If these people really want to be American speak the language. But all they want is the benefits of America while still wanting to be whatever they are. This is a joke. Be an American or get out. Simple as that. Support the country you are in. Either living or on vacation or stay the hell home.

can u pls. learn to spell first?? i am an immigrant & know how to spell better

Actually English is NOT the national language of America.  Never has been.  In 1983 there was  a movement to make it so but that has not been the case. 

This is not about racism, this is about simple courtesy.  NO ONE has the right to change or request that you change your name.  Mine is truly different and I am a Caucasian-American.  Lenia.  

FYI use spell check and watch your grammar before you start ripping on decent people who are in our "welcoming" country doing jobs many Americans are too lazy to do for half the pay and twice the hours.  These "immigrants" are just working to have the same freedom, comfort, security, health, housing, education for their children and all the other comforts that are automatically afforded to us Americans.

I agree. I have lived as a foreigner for many years in 3 European countries. You learn the host country's language, you learn their customs and culture, and you do NOT attempt to force them to your demands. It should be illegal to do so, but it's just common good manners. the U.S. immigrants have a right to accept the American culture and language and make the necessary adjustments. If they want what they had in their own countries, then they need to go back.

I don't think people understand. He is NOT changing their names, he is asking them to use an English translation of their name. Big difference. He is not asking Carlos to go by Billy, but the English translation Charles. I am foreign born and use the English translation. The ones that I see not doing so either don't like the US or don't know their is an English translation.

Wow! Is going from Marteen to Martin such a big stretch? They are being asked to speak English so they should speak English. It also helps when someone needs to read your name tag and not say your name wrong. Guests should not be wary of misproununcing someone's name before asking a question or assistance. And besides, if they don't practice English, how the hell are they going to learn it. It is not professional not to be able to do this.

Many names do translate and many do not. Why not use the translation if there is one?

Lenia it's not the official language but when 99 percent of the people speak it we can call it official. And for someone who is trying to stick up for agroup of people. Why are you telling someone to use spell check or proper grammer. You don't have a problem with someone not speaking the language but if they are at least trying to speak it you are telling them how to do it. Maybe some of us are not as intelligent as you. But at least we are english speaking Americans proud of our country and language. Please double check my spelling and grammer. I bet alot of Americans have a problem with us stupid people.

We are one of only a few developed nations that isn't fluent in more than one language. It's time for America to grow up and stop acting like a spoiled child. There is an entire world outside of America.

Stop whinning and learn another language because it's good for you!

Change business names to more know names and generate more business and save failiing motel equals saved jobes. He should sell the hotel and leave the hotel to fail (again).

I wonder how many people who voted that the employees should give in to the boss' wishes to go by different names would be perfectly calm and accepting in trips abroad with the locals in other countries being as ethnocentrically unconcerned about pronouncing tourists' names right?

Listen up all to all the Yahoos out there. Nobody is asking you to do anything, but leave them alone and let them be who they are. People tell me to go back to where I came from because I am hispanic and say where NJ? Because that is where I am from. I am proud to be an american. I am a 12 year veteran of the US Army and the Iraq war, but I am also a proud puerto rican. What is so wrong with staying conected to my roots. It gives me a sense of identity. If some of you looked into your roots you would see you come from a diverse background as well (Sorry didn't mean to use such a big word, diverse means different). Bottom line instead of being threatened by our neighbors from the south you should embrase them and share cultures with them. You just might learn something. God forbid you stop thinking about yourselves for a minute and making it all about you. There is a great big world out there, you should get off your couch and see it sometime. In some countries the people speak as many as five languages. I see alot of comments from people talking about what goes on in other places but I bet you no one can actually back up their statements with facts. I challange anyone to do so.

amen

I totally agree! If you want to live in American and enjoy our freedoms and priveleges then start acting like one. My biggest pet peave is getting my nails done or just shopping and having the people waiting on me talking in a different language. If I go on a trip to France I learn at least a few phrases in French its called respect!

I thought in his reply he wanted to understand his employees (he didn't understand spanish) and be sure the guest could pronounce their names correctly.

What is the problem? Are these people just lazy? My wife is Korean and also speaks Japanese and after my great training (lol) and community college for English she is now also fluent in English.

She works at a large country club here in Phoenix (where there is a huge work force of spanish speaking employees).

But what I think all the no votes fail to understand is THIS IS AMERICA! It speaks and works mainly in English (so do a lot of the world as the most common language).

Does anyone think my wife would have gone from a hostess to server to assistant manager in 3 years if she didn't speak English, only Korean? I doubt she would have even gotten hired. But I'll bet the room maids and gardners there that are only speaking spanish will be in that position forever. Talk about a glass ceiling!

I like when I go to Mexico, Korea and Japan and can talk with someone that speaks English. Makes a trip a lot better to get service, move around and get the info. But do you think I'd get hired if I only spoke English?

In the Far East a lot of names are changed at hotels. In China I was suprised to find a Suzy and a Mary Lou at my hotel front desk. Beat the hell out of trying to remember how to pronounce Queling Shoming or Katasumi Katsumi for service.

If you no votes don't like it, take up a collection and buy the hotel and make it all Spanish speaking. I'll wager you're out of biz in a year.

I have been to another country and I was the one trying to fit in. I did not expect them to fit me. When in Rome do as the Romans do. It is easy to say that the owner is wrong but how many of you would put up the money this guy has to be told by your employee what you are or are not going to put up with. Maybe he should have just went in there an got rid of everyone and start over hiring a whole new crew? Would you rather be crying over your name or no job? Choose you battles wisely.

Yep we are spoiled when we cry over such things at name calling.

WOW!!!!!!!!! Looks like drp-587087 needs to do some re-thinking... Butchered that all up.... Now as the language I know it's all about Spanish, but, Now listen when you walk around your town... There are different languages, dilects being spoken (unless you live in the backwoods and no one has moved into town since great, great, etc... grandma come home with Jose') There are many areas throughout the USA that speak english but you have a hard time understanding them, the South, North, East and West are all different but we don't make them change... People forget to be American means you come from all over the WORLD if it was just the USA then Yes Spanish and Native American would be the language NOT english... The English language was not born here it was brought here....

Get over it, If your in the U.S. learn to speak English if dealing with the general public and if the front desk people are hard to understand, replace them in another position. If I call the front desk wanting a room and I can't understand them, I would take my business else where. I shop at Walmart and almost every employee that has helped me always sent me in the wrong direction or said that they don't understand. wtf. I simply stop shopping at walmart.

mabe you didn't know the only non-imigrants to this country are native americans!!!they were here before your 200 year mark so mabe we should be speaking thier native language

Have you heard

"Change is the only Constant"

It's a matter of respecting another individual, and taking the time, just a few seconds, to learn to pronounce their name correctly.

Who knows, you might gain a new friend as you both laugh and learn!

drp - Perhaps before giving any comments on this topic, you should learn the difference between there and their and learn how to spell English words. Your comment says ".... they what you to spake there language .whats wrong here" -- I'll tell you what's wrong, it is not "what you to spake there language" - it is "want you to speak their language". Give me a break!!! Notice it is break not brake.

This retard doesn't understand that the people who settled here first are of hispanic descent. In northern New Mexico Spaniards arrived in the early 1500's

Melissa-

You still understood him didn't you? Why not make an actual argument against not changing their names instead of attacking the words he says.

How many of our families were forced to change their names as they came through Ellis Island, etc. It was wrong then and it is wrong now. If someone chooses to change it that is their choice but no one should be able to force someone to change their name just to make it easier to pronounce. It galls me that after 9.5 yrs, some of my husband's co-workers still think it's funny to call him Sushi because they have trouble w/ his first name. And Americans wonder why so much of the international community feels varying degrees of animosity towards Americans; some of us still lack respect for other cultures.

b

Gotta be a Freeper -- can't spell if their life depended on it.

I share your opinion,in part, if you are truely proud of being American you should learn the language. You should also and most definitely learn to SPELL it as well!!!!!!! American, sure you are!

I have had to change the pronounciation of my name 3 times, since coming to this country. Thankful to be here, I never complained. And I'm white. No one sees the Chinese complain when they are forced to completely change there names permanently. If someone does not want to change there name, fine. But do not expect Americans, and other immigrants like myself, to pronounce Hispanic names perfectly!

I have a friend who has worked for a non-profit for 18 years. She has been told she will now lose her job if she does not learn Spanish. Why is it that all other immigrants in this country are able to learn English?

The United States of America has no official language. Don't believe me research it. But regardless asking someone to alter their name is ridiculous. I have worked in Hospitality and customer service for over 20 years. I have had employees from all over the world and never would I even consider asking any of them to change their names or to use a nickname.

Mr. Whitten says it is always he has always done business. I can't believe he has had that much success. What does he do when he has a guest who does not speak english? Or does he have policy against them as well...

Where is this any different than some of the nice hotels in the Chicago loop, requiring their employees to speak a foreign language in order to work the front desk? Bottom line is, if you own and run a business, you cater to your customer base. Everything in our lives doesn't have to be related to ratial tension. Sometimes it's really just someone trying to do what they feel is right, regardless of race of social position. Maybe one of the local cultural gurus should have bought the failing hotel and further fostered their enlightened diversity. As usual, the white guy comes in, buys the business, tries to make it work, and is sacrificed because he's not catering to every minority who claims their concerns are more important than his, and should be viewed as so, because they're a minority.

I don't know who your telling to speak English because sweety your English is off as well... So before you tell anybody to Speak English take some classes yourself... This is also a free country, with a free freedom of Speech...Do you know what that is???? Loser... FOR REAL!!!!

Learn how to spell before attempting to standing up for a language you can't even write.

The name part is going a little far,B(should not be capitalized)ut this country is being turned over,O(should not be capitalized)r just given to immigrants that don't like the way it's been here for long be for (did you mean before?)they got here.If this country is not to there (their) liking way stay (what are you trying to say here?). All you hear about is they what (want) this they what (want) that.If they get a job they what (want) it (extra word that makes no sense) to stop working so they can pray, (I believe that should be a period, not a comma)If they don't speak English they what (want) you to spake (speak) there (their) language .whats (apostrophe missing)wrong here (Incomplete sentence).Speak english in this country (semi colon is missing) that is the language. Or did that change in the last 200 years or so (this should be followed by a question mark, not a period). Come on over live the life ,But live the American way.

Please see corrections. I bet you didn't let your kids watch Obama's speech to students telling them to stay in school.

Desert Dave,

But what I think all the no votes fail to understand is THIS IS AMERICA! It speaks and works mainly in English (so do a lot of the world as the most common language).

I thought the issue was the manager insisting they go by different names, not their fluency in English?

So, if your wife's boss insisted that she had to go by a different given name to keep her job because her Korean name was too "exotic" for the average American to pronounce, would you be cool with that?

One has to understand that people like drp-587087 is part of that 1/3 so called "American" that give the United States of America the bad name it has all over the world.

Usually, these people would not be able to recite by memory the name of the 50 estates of this great nation and many of them ignore even the capital of their own estate. In other words they do not know this place they call their country as most of the so called foreigners do.

This type of discussion is actually good, because it makes them come out with their ludicrous arguments and be exposed to the truth they were never shown and on their own will never bother to find.

They think that they are the owners of the world and fail to realize that they are been owned by their own politicians that will tell them anything herding them from left to right and right to left, using them time and time again with no real benefit in return.

I would venture to bet that this person has never taken a trip out of the USA, perhaps not even out of the estate he leaves in.

I just hope, that at least a few of them are given the rare and exceptional gift, of seen the truth and enjoy the many wonders that people from each country in the world, when treated as a human being, has the potential to offer.

Agree - the name thing is a littlemuch - a request to change in order to help the business that supported their salary might have been better. The better question would have been about not speaking 'spanish' in his presence. That I can understand. I have been in situations where they thought I did not understand their language and they were making fun (behind my back they thought) - all it does is perpetuate the problem and create an environment of "them" against us - willnever work. don't support the forced name change but do indeed support -- speak to me (or in my presence) in my native language. Someone sid in another response that he was disrespecting them -- well look at it from the owners side -- they sere disrespecting him by speaking in a language that he could not understand. Regards -- Chuck -- not Carlos!!!!

Just because someone doesn't speak English doesn't mean they are here illegally. Just because someone is Latino doesn't mean they are here illegally. b

"Why waste our time to speak a different language" ... typical ignorant thinking of an American. There is a whole entire world outside the US, and it is going to INFLUENCE not CHANGE your way of life.

Did the Pilgrims learn to speak native 'Indian' if they wanted to stay here?

How many anglos assimilated to the Native American culture, language, and way of life? Anglos are finally receiveing the treatment that they have been putting out for so many years in this country. As chief Seattle said in a letter to an american president, "continue to soil your bed and you should drown in your own waste" You all are drowning!! Every land and country the anglo has taken over has been "taken" from other cultures, now you are starting to feel what it is like.

DRP

You say: "they don't like the way it's been here for a long time". That's exactly what this moron is doing.....moving there - and therefore, an immigrant - and demanding the culture change to fit him. It's clear you don't know much about New Mexico or for that matter, the entire southwest.

He's started a battle he'll never win, and I hope he's sued for discrimination. He deserves it.

If you knew anything about northern New Mexico, you would understand that we (anglos) are the immigrants. Most of these people can trace their roots in the area back two or three hundred years. And your assumption that because they are Hispanic, they are illegals is pure ignorance to say nothing of offensive. Perhaps he was lost and thought he was still in Texas.

drp, you speak of the past 200 years and the way it is. You certainly are not aware of the history in that part of the country or the culture.

Southern Colorado, Northern New Mexico which is the area of the country they are speaking about in the article, Taos is predominantly Latino and Native American far beyond the 200 years you speak of, especially on the Native American side where depending on the tribe it goes back many hundreds of years. My extended family on both my father and mother's side settled this area in the early sixteen hundreds, Spanish Land Grants which both side of the family had and neither crossed a border to arrive here, they were later crossed by the border so you see it is up to individual like yourself who if they want to fit in will learn the culture and treat it with respect. This lack of respect has caused dirt roads in Northern New Mexico around Chama to be posted with signs, "No Gringos Allowed" yet respectful Anglos are welcomed with opened arms.

I lived in Santa Fe for ten years of my adult life and individuals like Larry Whitten either learn to blend or end up leaving. John Nichols' Milagro Bean Field War with the character Laddy Devine is a great analogy of Larry's stupidity and where it will get him.

drp.....ironic doesnt even come close to your comment.....grammar...spelling....content...I would think you need to take a course ...English 101 might help you a bit

I think you speak about some but not many hispanics, they work hard and are very loyal. My husband has been here 38 years and it burns me up that they call him Frank and even have that name on his shirt, so now all the customers only know him as Frank. Once I called him at work and asked his boss if I can speak with Francisco and he did not know who I was talking about. 8 years ago when he started to work for them, they decided his name was Frank. I think that is so ignorant.

I want to go to Mexico, could you please fetch me a plane ticket? Preferably to Cancun or Los Cabos, but I would settle for Mazatlan. In all seriousness, do you want to sent this people to Old Mexico because they dissagree with you or him? As far as I can tell they are already in Mexico, just New. Now, he decided to move to a state where everything is pretty much named in Spanish, ie, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Dona Rosa, Palomas, et al. and I won't go into rivers and mountains. Personally, I think that people who think like you should get over it and find better things to get upset about.

It's this type of thinking that makes the rest of the world view us as ignorant; in other parts of the world speaking multiple languages is a sign of intelligence.

People attempt to hide their bigotry behind things such as economics, business and management practices; absolutely asinine. These have nothing to do with it; I'm sure many people in the military had names he couldn't pronounce.

It's quite simple; their different and you're afraid of "different".

If you hate somebody don't lie to yourself about the reason. Look into the mirror and repeat..." I don't want to learn new things. I fear change. I will destroy anything that is unfamiliar and replace it with something I can understand."

This appears to be a business man who may have a keen sense of how to turn failing hotels into successes, however given his lack of common sense must achieve it with a 'select' group of people or a skeleton crew.

I am an American of hispanic origin, my father fought in WWII, my uncles in Korea, brother in Vietnam and cousin died in Vietnam and WE ALL SPOKE SPANISH and have very hispanic names and are proud AMERICANS!! I live in New Mexico (however not a native New Mexican) and Spanish and a variety of native dialects were and ARE STILL spoken here hundreds of years before the Anglos arrived.

It surprises me that Mr. Whitten as a former Marine is so ignorant as to forget that it was a NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE spoken by HEROIC NATIVE AMERICANS and NOT English which was key in keeping the US FREE and winning WWII!!

Unless you are a Native American we are all here as descendants of immigrants and if we haven't learned anything yet - LET'S RESPECT and celebrate our diversity and not be threatened by our diferences. He apparently didn't take time to understand the community he was joining.

Who knows he might want to eventually change the name of Taos afterall it's not english sounding, or the Sangre de Cristo Mountains - and what's with Santa Fe? I am OFFENDED as an AMERICAN that this discussion has to occur in the year 2009!

By the way for those monolingual Americans who think it's unamerican to speak a language other than english I wrote this without the aid of a translator. I suggest that Mr. Whitten embrace the unique American culture that exists in Taos and make a public apology to everyone concerned.

jevelez, A thumbs up to you! Well done!

I'm Italian ..my grandparents were immigrants.

My wife is German , her grandparents were immigrants.

Pal , you don't "own" the country because your mother went into labor and gave birth to you in the US.

Turn off Beck and educate yourself

@drp587087: @ Disappointed in Missouri:

Drp, the people of Taos (and most of northern New Mexico) were here LONG before the "Anglos" arrived. The English-speaking people actually invaded Mexico, of which NM was a part. NM was one of the "spoils of war." The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, signed by the U.S. and Mexican governments in 1848, designated English and Spanish as the dual languages of the Territory of New Mexico. New Mexico's Constitution designates Spanish and English as the official languageS (that's plural) of the State of New Mexico.

Know whereof you speak before making those embarrassingly ignorant comments (spelled incorrectly, to boot).

@drp587087: @ Disappointed in Missouri:

Drp, the people of Taos (and most of northern New Mexico) were here LONG before the "Anglos" arrived. The English-speaking people actually invaded Mexico, of which NM was a part. NM was one of the "spoils of war." The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, signed by the U.S. and Mexican governments in 1848, designated English and Spanish as the dual languages of the Territory of New Mexico. New Mexico's Constitution designates Spanish and English as the official languageS (that's plural) of the State of New Mexico.

Know whereof you speak before making those embarrassingly ignorant comments (spelled incorrectly, to boot).

@Dissapointed: I'm disappointed that YOU don't know the history of "our" country better than that. It is not "your" country, it is "our" country (INCLUDING you and everyone else here).This gguy is asking people to change their NAMES. Has he ever asked anyone to change their name from Ian or Sean (John) or Hans, or Pierre (Peter), or Gunther or Casey or Wilhelm or Dagmar or Andre? I think not. So if you don't consider him racist, then think again.

Thank you for a well written ( and spelled ) comment, Cat Diva.

I'm curious as to why a "successful" hotel guy keeps running from one hotel to another. I doubt the veracity of this part of the story.

I agree that immigrants should speak English. However, I DO NOT AGREE WITH REQUIRING A PERSON TO CHANGE THEIR NAME!!!! I am of hispanic descent. I was born and raised in America. So was my father. So was my grandfather. My great-grandparents immigrated here. Even though I look whiter than rice, I have a hispanic name that has been passed down through generations. My first name isn't too hard to pronounce, but my last name is. Even though my first name isn't hard to pronounce, I am constantly being called by the wrong names. Our names mean a lot, especially in our sense if identity. I will never change my name, and I will carry down hispanic names to my children.

I agree with you. His style may have worked in Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Abilene. But this part of New Mexico is different. He should be doing more to adjust to them.

I agree. He should go back to where people understand his methods. He should get out of town and let their hotel continue to be a failure, spanish flavor and all. Screw him for trying to bring a local business back to prosperity. The nerve of some people, huh?

It's his business and should run it the way he likes. If the visitors don't like his english ways, then they won't support him. And he will fail. But if they do like his ways he will succeed. His money, his choice. I've been to Taos and alot of the people there are racist against whites. They treat you like s---. I will never go there again. Unless I'm going to stay at his hotel. And can find more business owners that want my money and don't care that I am white. Maybe that is why this hotel was failing in the first place. Because all the racist workers that worked there.

Exactly. I suspect that many of the people writing these posts do not realize the sort of environment Taos is. It's a hippie tourist town that is obsessively concerned with limiting the sort of attitude this guy represents, and this brouhaha will doubtless make it impossible to "turn around" the business. From the hysterically xenophobic tone of these comments, he should have little trouble setting up his Aryan paradise practically anywhere else in Murca.

Don't dilute it, but if your business is to lose money/tourist/ and then close because tourist are unable to understand, it is then that you would have been open to a great suggestion had you seen the future.

Well, this is just a part of 'ol' Martin' charm!

Post 3.4. Posting without a name? Whatsamatta? Don't even have the miniscule amount of guts it takes to be an internet tough guy? You obviously missed the point of my post entirely. Try reading it again while you un-wedge your foot from your mouth. These so-called workers clearly aren't interested in working or they'd be more cooperative. They're in the hospitality industry and they depend on tourism to survive. So maybe some tourist they'll never see again calls them John, or Sam, or Paul instead of Julio, or Beto, or Pablo. Is that more important than whether or not their family gets fed? Children can't eat pride.

Wow, such a unique idea! Why do you think any owner has any rights to an opinion? Just because he supplies a job isn't a part of present day America. He could just close the hotel and make the illegal employees happy. Happy, but unemployed.

Huh? So what you are saying is that people who need to feed their families should accept abuse on a job or go hungry? They are willing to do the job, just not change their name. Supplying a job does not give one the right to abuse the employees. Your ideology supports the rich and enslaves the poor.

He needs to stick to the job requirements. Yes they should follow procedure, but good customer service does not mandate name changing. Keep in mind, the names were not unusual, he just was not accustomed to them from his part of the country. He is uneducated.

texas gal-778114, maybe we should allow all bosses to crack the whip on their employess from now on. How about public humiliation? I wonder if you'll be singing the same tune if they ever start doing this practice at your job.

Dasvet....these folks are not illegals. They have been in this country long before you or your ancestors arrived.

Not all Spanish speakers are illegals. Educate yourself before you make ignorant comments.

There's a difference between rules and racism. Stripping culture away from people is just wrong. The slave traders stripped blacks of their names in the same way. Unfair then, unfair now.

Spanish name are not to hard, but some of the Micronesian name I give. Call them fred of something. I forgot about chinese name. Just call them Helen.

It's not that simple. Do you know how many Polish Americans have "difficult" last names? No one would dare ask them to change their names because they are still "white". Changing your name is what the slave owners did to Africans here in America. It's a form of institutional slavery. Would you deny your heritage? Is America regressing?

I agree, If you take his money, you obey the rules. If you don't like it, go somewhere else.

Well said!

Look into American history for the last 100 yrs and you will see that MANY whites (Italians, Polish, etc) names were changed when they immigrated to the US. What a sad comment on US practices. White-wash everything of flavor and variety. Wrong then (but gov't allowed it), wrong now. b

Stacey, I don't think I can pronounce your name, let's rename you Poo. I can say Poo and you certainly can't object to having your name changed because you think it is all right. Talk to you later Poo!

Yup, if ya don't like his rules close it down. Buldoze it and sell it to... whoever. No job! Go home and sulk.

Hey Randy,

The people who live in this area of New Mexico are descendants of families that have been there for centuries longer than America has existed...and they have always spoken Spanish.

It's funny how everyone talks about this country being a democracy when it comes to things like voting on whether gay couples should have the same rights as straight couples - but when it comes to what language people speak they want to dictate it to everyone.

And no, I'm not hispanic and don't speak Spanish.

I just respect the rights of people to live in America and still have the freedom to speak the language of their families.

In America when it comes to business in public and government, we can have only one language. That's the Americanized version of English. This way we have a national identity and can get things done without using a gun. As far as what I speak in my own home, or to people in a private conversation who cares? These points are totally lost on the uneducated or those with an unAmerican political agenda. What's worse, is the inability of those that understand it to articulate a response outside of thought terminating cliches and jingoism.

Oh and I speak two languages American and Bad English LOL.

AKrandy,.... go-n-Pound Sand, you fool!

English is NOT the official language of this country. It's what most people speak (as of now) but it's not official anywhere.

I'll speak my Spanish, English, French and Japanese where ever I please. You don't like it, then cover your ears! It's your right.

Actually it is the official language in several states - Arizonia being one of them and their currently is a bill in the legislature that will make ENGLISH our official language. Why this is an issue is beyond me - if you move to Mexico - commonsense would tell you to learn Spanish, if you move to Germany - you'd learn German, etc etc - not all foreign countries are as tolerate of multi languages as the US seems to be at the moment, but this will change because just about enough people have had it with their country being taken from them.

O yes it is because German lost out by one vote.

why must we keep on enduring the dilution of our heritage as white anglo saxons. The racist issue is being forced on us everyday and so much propaganda to fool us is going on under a black president most black americans view as their savior. Do they fail to realize that the suffering being put upon Americans will effect them too!! P eople of america should stop trying to do away with the others heritages and stand together as sisters and brothers of many color to protect ourselves against the real enemy. If we unite to stop Obamas madness and the destruction of America we may have a chance to recover and become a great nation again. It does not matter if a president is black or white or latino as long as he has sound judgement and fairly represents all the people. Obama represents only himself and the thing he and his commrads are after...capitalism communism marxism. We are not seeing better days unfolding as the Obama news kingdom reports...it is getting worse. We need to change the government and the president as soon as possible. So stop bickering like jealous children open your eyes no matter what color you are and see the truth...then stick together and stop it.

Scotty-546725 wrote:

In America when it comes to business in public and government, we can have only one language. That's the Americanized version of English

.

I work for the government. My responsibility is to serve the people. Citizens rightly wouldn't have it any other way. If the people who I need to serve speak Spanish, then it is my responsibility to employ the resources that will allow me to do my job -- in this case someone to interpret or printed materials in that language.

We have had immigrants from many nations over the decades. Most immigrants soon learn that there are clear economic and educational advantages to learning English, and they make that effort as best they can.

Whatever success they have in this is in no way a measure of the quality of service they should expect from their government. Rather it is the responsibility of government to adapt to the changing needs, culture and circumstances of its citizens.

Our nation is not static. It has been evolving since 1776. Government must be prepared to effectively serve its citizens no matter where that evolution takes us.

What are you talking about, speak only the language that you understand and speak? Welcome to US you ignorant! When our ancestors came to this land, others were already here, and THEY DID NOT REQUIRED US TO SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE OR LEAVE!

"I am sick this"? Speak English or go home.

zivo24, I like what you wrote, however speak in your home or with whomever can speak spanish and in working with English speaking "customers" speak english.

Have you ever heard "Change is the only Constant"?

Scotty-546725

I liked your post very much and we must always remind ourselves that one simple quote by who, I don't really know but was true and that is "Change is the only Constant"

Willow/Levi 2012

Oh look, it's Poo again. She sure posts a lot here.... I don't understand why she hasn't changed her name, because Stacey is too complicated for me... what is it, French?

Just because someone doesn't speak English doesn't mean they are here illegally. Just because someone is Latino doesn't mean they are here illegally. b

America is a continent; not a country! Look it up. If it were a country, why is it that our military isn't referred to as the American Army? The American Marines? The American Air Force? The American Navy? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

You may want to consider this:

English is taught in every country throughout the world; in some schools it is a mandatory class. It is taught for one reason; it is common knowledge in every country; if you want to do business with Americans you must speak English, because the majority of Americans are too arrogant and stupid to learn a second language.

You may want to consider this:

English is taught in every country throughout the world; in some schools it is a mandatory class. It is taught for one reason; it is common knowledge in every country; if you want to do business with Americans you must speak English, because the majority of Americans are too arrogant and stupid to learn a second language.

This is rapidly changing. Soon, people that only speak one language will find it difficult to find good paying jobs.

Don't set up your own profit-making business pj. As THE person in charge you'll be in for a BIG shock!

pj thornton you're an idiot... "big fat wallet"? I bet those people love that big fat wallet when he starts handing out paychecks... that someone has come to save their hotel they ran into the ground.

White men are business men and know how to get the job done. Minorities bitch and complain about EVERYTHING but have no answers to ANYTHING!

When they're unemployed they'll wish a big ugly white ass with a fat ass wallet was there to once again bail the minority out.

The saying goes, "if it ain't broke don't fix it".. sounds like they broke it and they need to fix it and this ex-Marine is the one to do it!

I think charityaes suffers from a bad case of xenophobia.

I agree, simple to the point. No anger, nothing personal, it's business. I think the complainers and name callers (simple minded) should go see what it's like to do his job. I know a hispanic teacher who is in a movement/organization which has an adgenda to populate and out-vote in order to take over our country piece by piece. There are many good hispanic-American citizens here that should speak out about the ones doing the bad. I guess it's hard to speak against ones family. We are going to have to start making tough choices. There are many south of the boarder who are here or want to get here and have no regard for the values of this country or decent people. There is an arrogance and hostility in the workplace and I have witnessed it first hand as well as many others. I just can't believe how many people are no able to see where this country is heading if we don't grow some national pride and resurect some good ole school values.

You're sooo paranoid!!!!!

The citizens of this city have been there since the 1500's, hailed from Spain, and Spanish is the language that has ALWAYS been spoken. This is all prior to the United States being in existence by the way. So why should these employees bow to someone and only speak English, when they have not done so for hundreds of years. It is called culture and heritage, something that many American citizens are completely lacking these days. In such a situation the employer is completely in the wrong. Can you imagine the uproar an American company would receive if it went to a country in Europe and demanded that English can only be spoken at ALL times. I understand that English is the most accepted language to be used in a business setting, but at ALL times, and then demand name changes on top of that .... hmm, now that I think about it I could see this being at least attempted.

Sorry. Spanish has not been ALWAYS spoken. The Spanish imposed their language on the local population and forced them to adopt "proper" Spanish names.

Is your next step to insist that it is MY fault that I do not speak Spanish fluently when I enter a store in the United States?

Nope I never said that, you're the one that attempts to twist words into making it seem as if the white man is the victim here, when the truth could never be further away.

Easy Zo-86, I agree with the intentions behind your post but let's not jump to their level by accusing a group for bigotory ("the white"). It weakens our argument and cause and only strenghtens theirs.

However, I don't agree with those yelling "This. Is. AMERICA!!! You don't like your job, leave it!"

Let me ask you this: Why should you?

If your employer deprives you of lunch time, your human basic rights, and gives you poor treatment, what would your mentality be? To me, quitting your job is weakness and the easy way out. I would fight for my rights until I get fair, if not, perfect treatment instead of walking away with my tail behind my legs. You're right, this is America, and I'll fight until the very end to regain my right at my job. I shouldn't have to quit and neither should these people. The fact that they are being forced to change their names is completely absurd and an abuse.

Joe, I see from your surname that your ethnic background is Irish. Mine too. Do you realize that in the 1800s the Irish were among the most discriminated against immigrants in this country? Because of their religion, their accents, and their heritage the Irish were barred from many jobs, many neighborhoods and many other opportunities. These were white, English speaking people who were treated no better than animals. That discrimination no longer exists. We now have a new target...the Hispanics. Today, someone named Martinez is treated the same way the the O'Briens were treated 150 years ago. Was it right then? Is it right now?

Joe O'Brien - so you're ok with your boss changing your name to Jobren, to make it easier to say, you know. That O is pretty useless and identifies you as a descendent of an immigrant. American's only!!! You don't like it, quit and find another job.

The following was posted in another thread, but the thread was collapsed by the community due to a racist comment. Unfortunately, that collapses everyone else’s replies too, so I’ll repost here, because it seems to fit.

I worked in a technology field long ago, and in my department, we had two Portuguese women (in their 50s). One spoke Portuguese and English, but the other only spoke Portuguese, no English. No one else, including the boss and engineers, could speak Portuguese. Fortunately, they were friends, and the bilingual lady translated everything for the other. In this field, we’re talking lots of technical instructions. My part of the job sometimes crossed with hers when she would take over from me. Everything worked fine until the friend was out sick, then the poor woman became useless. She couldn’t talk to us, and we couldn’t talk to her. Keep in mind that this was a technical job. Learning the technical terms was hard enough in English, but a language barrier made it impossible to work with her or help her without her friend. At the time, I was in my 40s. This was in New England. After 40 – 50 years, it is not right to expect to work at a job in a country where English is the language of the country when you can’t speak it, and expect everyone else to speak Portuguese because in 50 years, you never learned the language of the country you chose to live in. This is not the case with her, she was a very nice lady whom everyone liked and she did not expect any favoritism from anybody. But apparently, this country is filled (now) with many who do. I’m not even considering any difficulty for us coworkers. Imagine her, being in a setting for 8 hours a day where her only contact with the world around her at all times depended on that friend who could translate for her. This is the unfortunate situation that should not happen.

My point is, asking someone to speak English in an English speaking country, in front of people of that country who ONLY speak their native tongue (English), has absolutely nothing to do with bigotry or racism. Not speaking the native language of the country YOU chose to live in (because if you were born here, there was no excuse not to learn English in school, it's a required subject that you would have had to learn alongside the native kids) is either intentional disrespect or unintentional ignorance. That lady did not just come over on a boat, she was here for most of her adult life life, albeit not her school days. I think it is ignorant of him/her when an American travels to Italy, for example, and expects Italians to speak English just for him/her. But I especially consider it ignorant if somebody comes to America, for instance, not just to visit, but to live and work here, and thinks that they don't have to learn English, everybody else should learn THEIR language. Since this applies to any nationality trying to live and work in any foreign country, it's called respect for the society of the people around you. You can only call that racism when you have no real basis to argue the point, and therefore to complain about it, all you can actually do is say that it's racist.

I might even go a little further and say that if the business is located within a Latino section, or Chinese section, or Greek section, or Portuguese section, etc. it would probably be more appropriate (and you'd probably be a more valuable employee) to be able to speak the prevailing language. But amongst each other, even in public or within the business, talk in the native language with which the group is comfortable, (obviously the two ladies above conversed in Portuguese while they worked side by side) and don't mind others nearby, who should be minding their own business anyhow.

Now the part about ordering them to change the pronunciation of their names is way out of bounds. That is racist, without question. Their names are who they are, period. Only in one instance do I find that acceptable. I had an Indian doctor at one time who had a name about seventeen letters long that nobody could remember how to pronounce even after they heard it. The doctor went by the nickname Doctor B. But that was his choice, when he tired of all his patients mangling his name!

ANON87 - Where in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights or for that matter any of the amendments does it give any U.S. citizen the right to a job? I guess I must have missed that along the way through all of the history lessons I ever sat through.

If this guys owns the business, he can fire anyone he chooses, hire anyone he chooses or shut and lock the doors. Where Marcos or Juanita, or whatever is not hard for me to say, I don't think the guy is wrong for asking his employees to live up to his rules and his expectations for customer service. The guy is not asking his employees to go to the court house and LEGALLY change their names. He wants them to where a name badge saying Marc rather than Marcos and asks his employee to not get offended if some one calls him Mar-tin rather than Mar-teen. He's not asking them to change their religion.

As far as the language thing goes, I agree with him too on that. What's so hard for them to talk in English while he is around, if they don't have something to hide? What's so hard for them to talk in English all the time? Now as for the matter of English being the official language of the U.S., it's not written in stone anywhere, but it should be. For evidence of my argument, get on any chat room that has people in it worldwide and ask them this simple question: "What is the language spoken in the U.S.?" See what response you get back. Assimilation is not rebuking your culture, it's being accepting of the other cultures that surround you.

We are one of only a few developed nations that isn't fluent in more than one language. It's time for America to grow up and stop acting like a spoiled child. There is an entire world outside of America.

Stop whinning and learn another language because it's good for you!

I know Spanish. I learned just enough German before I went for a visit there, that I could find a bathroom or ask for directions. When I thought I might get into a detailed conversation with the local Germans, I took a translator with me at my expense. I respect the other countries and the people there enough to realize that it is up to me to learn their language and communicate with them. If I ever go to Russia (highly unlikely) I will learn enough of their language to communicate with them and not expect them to take care of my responsibility so I have the right to continue to speak English. If I ever moved to another country (which is likely with the direction of the U.S.) I will learn the language that is commonly used in that country, so I am not a hinderance to myself or the natives there.

That's all well and good to say. However, it doesn't really have anything to do with the article. These people didn't just move to Taos. The owner did. They have spoken Spanish as well as English for hundreds of years.

The owner should pony up and learn Spanish.

Around the block - my comment was directed at you suggesting I should stop whinning and learn another language because it is good for me. If you get on these forums you might want to realize these debates can go a little deeper than just the original article.

The main point is these employess have a choice, like we all do, if they don't like the regulations the employer puts on them, they can find another job. In this market I am sure there are plenty of people who would abbreviate their name, come up with a nickname, or even (astounding thought here) speak the common language in the country in which they live.

For the hotel, to go through 4-5 owners tells me that it either isn't a good location or that the workers are unruly

Exactly!!!

I have to agree 100% with this comment. I believe a lot of what other people are saying about this being the United States and everyone should learn to speak English and actually have it as the official language; however, we don't have the right to tell someone that they have to change their name for the sake of simplicity. While this may have been the practice in the 1800s when mass emmigration was occuring, that was later deemed inappropriate by the government and the practice abandoned.

Just to add a point to the English-only speaking...I understand that Taos has a strong Native American heritage as well as a strong Mexican heritage and these things add to the city's uniqueness. With that said, does this mean that everyone in the south should speak French since their are strong French influences in that part of the country? I think not. When emmigrants came to this country during the 1800s, they had one decision to make, either learn to speak english and succeed, or don't. I feel that should be held true today and there should be no accomodation to any other language in business or employment. After all, if we went to Mexico or Japan or Saudi Arabia, would we have English translators or English translated documents available to us? I think not (and actually know not since I've been to two of those countries myself and have experienced how they treat English speaking individuals...with no accomodation). It may seem bigoted, but it is the same way any non-native speaking individual would be treated in a foreign country.

I believe you're missing the point a bit Socal. It is all situational, English should be spoken, but I belive this only holds true in a business, retail, or professional setting. If Jorge happens to sit you nicely at your table, and speak in fluent English ... should he not be able to also talk to his fellow employees in Spanish? Just because you don't understand a language when it is being spoken, does not mean it always being directed at you.

It is not polite to exclude someone from a conversation. If I get up and leave because they are speaking another language am I being rude?

You completely miss the context, no it does not make you rude ... but it does make you intolerant and a bigot if your precious ears cannot handle simply overhearing any language other than English being spoken.

Yo Zoe! Uhem, yeah well I have never been called a racist before. And it would appear you are insensative to other cultures. I have had many people live in my home from east india to africa. Actually an Ethopian friend and former room mate of mine said it made him feel very excluded that multiple persons were speaking mexi-spanish around him and he felt excluded. I recommended he talk to his employer but he was intimidated and I don't think he ever did. On the other hand another friend who is from east india was offended that in the town where I live he couldn't get the waitress to take his order in english as she spoke none! We are talking about the pacific northwest my friend. I don't care what location said article was about there are pockets in our country where the demographics are all out of wack. My friend from India went on to say that he came to this country and learn english out of respect and for a better job and they (all hispanics and immigrants of other countries) should as well. So don't take it from me, I think that some hispanics here that are racist against whites and are here to pull the race card to get the negativity off of their own behavior. You are not the only culture in this country and you missed the point I was trying to make. No making every employee change their name is wrong, of course. What needs to happen is a better method to run businesses in this country. It has to be cost effective and needs to cater to people who come here and are willing to make adjustments to become part of something better, not the other way around or at the cost of the taxpayer! Got that! I think the guy is frustrated and is trying to weed out the dead wood. Probably not a good way to go about it but pulling the race card on anyone at the drop of an opinion (hat) is what is working for now. I think the guy has been at this for a long time and is tired of putting up with arrogance and takers. So in retrospect I think if we are going to bring in so many immigrants then let it be unilateral, then see what happens....

Dr. Know - HELLO!! American society gave up on "polite" about 60 years ago. Funny how that parallels the influx of other societies, many of whom just don't seem to give a damn about "polite", but many of whom surely have honed "rude". What sort of reaction did they expect?

SoCal...Mexicans don't live in Taos. It was settled by the Spaniards in the 1600s. Doesn't anyone know their history? Mexicans are from Mexico...Spaniards are from Spain. Also, the people of Northern New Mexico of Spanish heritage speak English...just like everyone else in the US. We go to public schools and are educated in English just like most average Americans. The only difference is that we also speak Spanish and some of us are comfortable enough to use the language among other Spanish speakers. Will someone please tell me WHAT is wrong with that? Do we all have to be cookie cutter images of someone's opinion of the perfect American? I thought America was where anyone could be here and be free? I speak English and Spanish...so what?

We are one of only a few developed nations that isn't fluent in more than one language. It's time for America to grow up and stop acting like a spoiled child. There is an entire world outside of America.

Stop whinning and learn another language because it's good for you!

Correcting SoCalJ409, if you go to many border cities along the US Mexico border, in areas where a lot of Americans go, there are a lot of signs in both English and Spanish. I've never been to Saudi Arabia, but I have been to Kuwait where everyone speaks several languages, (including Arabic, Spanish, French, English,...) and most sign are in both Arabic and English. (English is the language of business, and is there for spoken in most countries.) The bottom line is, no matter where in the world you go these days, where ever there is a strong presence of another language (whether because of business or immigration,) accommodations are made. Lets face it, Spanish isn't a very hard language to learn, and most people in the world already speak at least 3 languages. That being said, if you come to the US, I do feel you should learn English. Heck, in CA community colleges, classes are only 26 bucks a credit, and often FA will help cover that.

Angel12K, FYI go to school... India was a English colony, guess what language they speak you dumb @zz.

You are a racist. You are clearly making up stories, and are too stupid to be doing so.

How much are you gonna change for your job people? There has to be line drawn. You have no problem with it because it's your own culture, but what if it wasn't. Imagine, every American citizen visiting a latin country has to latinize their name. Seriously?

LOL J! I called one of the help lines once and got a heavily punjab accented guy say his name was Steve too. I thought it was funny as hell.

people have a right to a job and should be respected, and some of those employers were there before he arrived, sounds a bit like history, doesn't it?

It's ignorant to speak another language in front of someone who doesn't?! Have you ever traveled to another country? Do you think if you did you would avoid speaking English to whoever you were traveling with because it's "ignorant" to other people? That's insane.

Ever get your nails done in a Korean salon? They speak their language, and I don't think they're talking about -- ME!!!!

Well, guess what? They usually are!

Paranoid much?

Anon87, If you take the job knowing you wont get a lunch, Don't take the job. It's a name not a bad name just a name that most can Say.

cherfer you are obviously taking this comment out of context. Nobody is talking about tourist or travelers here but instead people settled in a certain area.

I don't believe ignorant is the proper term here but instead rude. Yes it is rude to speak another language in front of someone who doesn't understand it. Do I understand that some people don't speak English well or are self conscious, yes. But in public settings and at work it is rude to speak in other languages that others around you don't understand.

English is part of the american culture and assimilating to american culture is part of being a part of this country. No one has to give up their heritage but you are an American first and foremost.

This guy's management style shows a lack of understanding of the local population and culture and may be a little heavy handed but he hasn't done anything illegal and if he is wrong he will ultimately loose money on his investment.

yes, but it's their choice! And as far as the english only policy, thats fair, but being NM your going to eventually get a spanish only customer, what then?

If it is just a name why don't you go to work in the morning and change your name.

"Alright Martin, your new name is going Dog from now on. Dog, I want you to fetch me that there company mail. When you're finished, go to lunch. a Dog's gotta eat right?"

Little Nobody

Is not ignorant to speak a different language in front of someone who dont understand the langualge.

Is called A PRIVATE CONVERSATION.

If they are speaking Spanish, is because they are not speaking to the English speaker. Why the English speaker wants to know what other peole are talking about? In ANY country is BAD MANNERS to listen to others people conversation. If I'm talkiing to my friend a private conversationin Spanish, I dont need to translate in to English for you to understand, because you are not invited in the conversation and in a free countre one dont need supervision of what we talk. by the way US i not hte only free country.

When you go to a Chinese restaurant, and the employees are speaking Chinese, you dont say to them: Excuse me , speak in English because I want to know about what you are talking about? Or, excuse me, are you talking bad about me? That would be a real complex of persecusion. The real reson is that that the people who dont want people speaking in other languages, is because they are racist that dont want them in this country. even if 2 people are speking a private conversation in english, you dont force them to talk loud to see if they are talking about you. Bad Manners to try to know others people private conversation.

The slave owners also forbit slaves to speak their language in front of them.

Little Nobody must have been (or is) a member of the U.S. military; I hear they teach them to hate any language that's not English. I also hear they go through some sort of "Ethnic Cleansing" and forget their ethnic roots. Prove me wrong!

For goodness sake people, the man was not asking the employees to actually change there names but to choose easier names to pronounce and understand for the customers when they are at work! Nothing permanent like you all are making it sound!

In this economy, I would gladly give myself a nickname to keep a job! Get serious here and stop the whining!

Ok here is a nickname for you "Dumb Blonde" Hurts doesn't it? Yes I am wrong but sometimes you have to make a point. Just because your blonde dosen't mean you are dumb, and just because someone is hispanic doesn't mean they are here to take advantage.

What a stupid example using the "dumb blonde" term. If I am Maria, and they tell me for practical reasons I will be called Mary, I don't have any problem with that. And I don't feel anyone is taking advange on me for asking me to pronounce my name in english. I have some anglo friends, they love to hear they name in spanish. I came to this country, now I must learn to speak english, I dont demand from them to change, I decided to come to a foreing country, nobody forced me to do so. Now I got to have an open mind, be ready to make changes in my life. Changes sometimes can be difficult, but they bring new and good things also.

Y cuando te mandan que vuelve a tu pais? Entonces que? You see they will look at this post and say I should have written it in english. I called her a dumb blonde for a different post she made. You would have to read the other post to understand and if you can see the comparison let me make it a little clearer. I compare the dumb blonde refferance to the lazy mexican refferance.

I wonder if Larry Whitten would pull the same b.s. if he were managing a hotel whose employees are mostly African-American. What name would he suggest to Tamiqua or LaQiusha or Darnelle or Lashanda? I don't know what he would suggest but I do know he probably wouldn't own the hotel for long. After all the lawsuits, the bastard might have to file for bankruptcy.

Over the years I have had several phone conversations about service issues with products. Very clearly many of these people were in India, Indonesia, Pakistan and other Asian/mid east countries. I always ask for contact names in case of further problems. They give a first name and employee code. NOT ONCE was I given a non-English/American name. Just how many Steves, Pauls, Marys, Petes, Janets, etc. do you thinks are native to those nations? It's BUSINESS. Do you think they volunteered? No - their company asked them to change, at least for telephone purposes. It's BUSINESS!!!!

We are special and you're jealous! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

I've never spoken to a Customer Service Representative in India named Steve or Peter, Paul, and Mary. They're all named Amir, Subash, Gurdit, Sunil, or Kumar. Nothing wrong with that; only trying to prove to Rick-Ironmtn6 that he's not 100% right.

Just don't try to go to work at that hotel in Taos!

Sue him for WHAT ? Nobody has to work for him, don't like it quit

Don't stay at his motel go to the Motel 6 ,I bet you will fit right in at that dump

When he is done making changes I'll bet it will be a great place to stay !!!!!!

I think I'll make reservations for the weekend.

Thats great. You can stay there for the KKK convention.

That was a completely Racist remark! So now, whomever supports this man's business decision to improve customer service and communication is a member of the KKK?

Perhaps BIGOT should be tattooed on your forehead!

I have always felt that it is terribly rude when persons speaking another language whatever the language in public is extremely rude! I have mostly experienced hispanic men speaking spanish to each other while the are gawking at me because I am Blonde and everyone knows hispanic men love blonde white women!

Sound kinda rude to you? Well I think so and it is pretty creepy too! Who knows what filth they may be speaking to each other?!!

Speak english or improve your english, what is the problem if you really want to be here?

Come to our country and complain about everything and you're here illegally and sucking all of the benefits that are meant for people who are here legally! If you are not here legally then go home and come back when you are legal!

You are an IDIOT Jose!!!

First of all don't be so full of yourself. I am a hispanic male and there is nothing more beautiful than a dark haired latin women. It's a little arogant to think that people have nothing better to do than talk about you. I guess the world revolves around blonde women. Those people you say suck the benifits, well they pay taxes and don't see any of it back. By the way I was born here, but my wife wasn't but she came here when she was 19 and is now a US citizen serving in the US Army and risking her life so you can have the Base Ackwords opinion that you have!! So the next time you say they come here and don't give think about that!!!

Arogant is not correct but ignorant people say ignorant things.

If they are gawking at me while they are speaking then yes they are most likely speaking about me! Hello! I think dark haired latin women are beautiful too so why are these men gawking at white women? Makes no difference to me but I know their girlfriends or wives would be pissed if they caught them! I obviously am not speaking to those that pay their taxes here. I am obviously speaking to those who ARE NOT paying taxes here and are working under assumed social security numbers or under the table.

So your telling me if they were americans and speaking english it would be ok to "GAWK" at you. If not then why do you have to make it about their ethnicity? Why can't they just be men Gawking at you? Does it matter what launguage they are speaking? I am sure there are all kinds of white men that do the same thing. You make a lot of assumptions, but anyone breaking the law should be prosecuted I am in the Army and I work in Law Enforcement so of course I am against any illegal activity, however, I bet you see a hispanic male and just assume he is illegal or not paying taxes and stealing a social security number. You have no clue how your generilizations hurt the perception of all the hard working latinos in this country. I hurts me as a natural born american when people do this. By the way hispanics are Americans too (South America). I don't know who told the US it could coin the term "American" and only people from the US are Americans. People from Canada are Americans as well. As citizens of the United States we need to stop being so full of ourselves and learn to accept cultural differances and stop over reacting just because we expierence some change. Oh and you might want to check the stats on what the hispanic population in this country is. Also, half the cities and states in this county have spanish names to include Montana (MOUNTAIN) and Colorado (RED), just to name a few.

No Dawn, It's a sad commentary on the disease killing this country...Political Correctness. We all bleed red blood. In any country you live in, you adapt to that countrys culture. No one cares where you or some relative of yours came from, or what happened yesterday. If you don't want to adapt, leave. Respecting culture differences? How about treating everyone the same. How about everybody taking a day off from mentioning someones race, culture, etc. and focus on what we all have in common. How about looking outward on what we as individuals or as a group can accomplish not what color their skin is. We are all PEOPLE. Not anglos or hispanics, etc. If what you think your skin color or your"culture" is who you are , you are a loser.