I just read through this thread today and I see a lot of astute observations from E Irizarry, ladislav, etc. You guys have a wealth of experience when it comes to international travel and using foreign languages, know what you're talking about and tell it as it is!
The following posts in particular are on point:
E Irizarry R&B Singer wrote: ↑September 11th, 2013, 7:27 pm
And at least dudes like Ladislav, SkateboardStephen, and I agree that you must learn their language. Stop with this ADHD/ADD-lazy-a.ss "English is the language of world business so you should speak it too" myopic narcissism.
It's embarrassing when guys do this. Did you except them to say, "Ok" with a broken accent, and they you teach them English? Stop with the myopic narcissism. Do you want the whole world to speak English when we all know that is the premiere medium in which Feminism has been spreading????? Then you'd have a Special-Ed-From-Crank-Yankers moment like "Uh duh! Why is she acting like the very self-entitled cu.nt I have been trying to evade??!?"
I speak Spanish and have spent a lot of time in Spain and Latin America. I can tell you that Latinas who speak English as a second language include some of the worst characters imaginable. Every now and then I would come across a Latina who proudly spoke English. Virtually every one of them had this particular chip on their shoulder as though they saw themselves as being more modern and sophisticated and somehow above all of their "backward" monolingual compatriots. And yes, they tended to idealize US culture and express feminist opinions.
I remember this one such Latina who I met in Spain. She was a real c*nt, although I was never outright rude to her because I got along with her Spanish husband. That woman tried speaking to me in English but I would always dismiss her advances because I hate Anglo culture and only speak Spanish when I'm in Spain. She would often chastise me for things I said such as "sexist" jokes and "inappropriate" language (she once told me off for saying "hostia" even though Spaniards use the word all the time, lol). Like, who the f**k was she to chastise me??? That woman was just another US-worshipping, feminist bitch with all of the hysterical moralism and evangelical zeal typical of the Anglo progressive contingent.
Avoid Latinas who speak English as a second language and idolize America and/or are internationally minded. They tend to be rotten.
I only date monolingual Spanish-speaking Latinas who have no interest in the Anglo world.
ladislav wrote: ↑September 11th, 2013, 10:28 pm
Practicing languages with immigrants in the USA is not a good idea. Many will just tell you to speak English or reply in English and feel "insulted".
I've not met many speakers of my target languages (Spanish and Japanese) in the UK but, with the small sample of Latino immigrants and Japanese exchange students who I did meet, they generally displayed the same attitude that you described. They would either become shocked and reply in English or give me this "How dare you speak OUR language, you're not one of us!" vibe.
However, I always act the same way whenever I'm in Spain, Latin America or Japan and some L2 speaker tries speaking English with me once my native status has been revealed. I don't like my own national identity, don't really like the sound of English even though it's my native language and aren't too enthusiastic about speaking it outside the UK, and overwhelmingly prefer Spanish. I don't see why I should be expected to speak English just because of my nationality which I don't even identify with anyway when I already have a high level in the local language. Besides, very few people were enthusiastic about speaking Spanish or Japanese with me back in the UK so naturally I don't care about those who want to practice English with me whenever I'm abroad. It works both ways, I suppose.
Hero wrote: ↑September 11th, 2013, 4:58 pm
Anyone here ever learn a foreign language for a girl?
As for the main topic, no, I wouldn't learn a foreign language for a girl. I already speak Spanish and only date Spanish-speaking Latinas. I wouldn't have a serious relationship with a girl from any other culture.
Part of the reason why I learned Spanish was indeed my love for Latinas but I'm just crazy about Spanish and Latin American culture as a whole and feel like I belong there the most.