If I had to name any regret I have with my life, it would be that I did not take the time when I was younger to learn a foreign language. I tried German when I was in third grade, but the best I mustered was to sing O Tannenbaum. I dabbled a little in Russian, and then tried Spanish. But I can't speak a foreign language, and I'm too old now -- my brain doesn't soak information, it leaks information.
The best I can do when traveling is order a glass of wine or buy perfume or find a bathroom. Of course, what else is there? That about sums up everything I need.
Still, it pains me personally when I have to ask a client to spell a street address or his or her name. I feel it's insulting to tell a person I'm having a problem understanding an accent. Why? Because that client can speak two languages and I can speak only one.
One of the things I really love about Sacramento is the fact it is a diverse city. On my street alone among homes in Land Park we have an international community. One of my neighbors is a Sikh from Tahiti. Another is from Israel. Two are Japanese Americans. Yet another was born in Mexico but her children are Americans by birth. I work with clients who fly back to Mumbai or to Ho Chi Minh City or to some of those small towns in Baja California. I appreciate other cultures.
So, it pains me when agents complain about the Federal Fair Housing or question why we are subject to obeying it. It is against the law to discriminate in housing yet it happens. It's embarrassing that in this day and age we have to have a law against discrimination but because people discriminate, we do.
Fortunately, HUD is targeting national origin-based housing discrimination for its April Fair Housing Month. HUD encourages the public to report housing discrimination. Agents: you might grumble but HUD is watching you.
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Certified HAFA Specialist
My Sacramento Real Estate Listings
Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
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Elizabeth - I have that same inadequacy. Although I took a semester of French, I've forgotten 95% of it. I do need to knuckle down and learn Spanish though. Why, you ask? Because, there is a great Mexican grocery store that makes wonderful handmade tamales. They don't always have them, but they will make them special order if you ask. However, they speak mainly Spanish, and I definitely don't. And it is nearly always a crap shoot whether I exit the store with the desired tamales. I have finally resorted to taking my son with me (who can speak Spanish). I have also taken a note from home. And I've used sign language (holding up the number of fingers for the number of tamales), with the word, "Pollo." If my grandkid hadn't taught me that El Pollo Loco translated to "The crazy chicken" I'd be in deep doo doo.
I should also mention that Sacramento is recognized as the most diverse city in the nation. I love it too!
While I took years of Spanish and was able to fluently speak it at the dinner table with my brother (largely to annoy our parents) I am lucky if I can string a complete sentence together. I can catch tidbits here or there, but it's rough. Use it or lose it. I have lost it.
Ola Elizabeth! You know I took several years of French and 4 years of Italian at the same time, I mixed the 2 up continously and now I probably couldn't assemble a sentence in either language! I so admire people who are fluent in one or more languages, our "Learn to speak Spanish" CDs arrived today. As for discrimination in housing, HUD not only should be watching - we should be watching; there is no reason under the sun for it.
I think real estate agents get tripped up when their clients ask them about where other certain (ethnic, religious, sexually oriented) people live....and the correct answer is: "Anywhere they choose"
"my brain doesn't soak information, it leaks information."
Elizabeth - Ok, seriously now. You're such a crack-up sometimes. I need to start reading you first thing in the morning just to start my day out with a good laugh. Anyway, I took Spanish in high school only because I had to have one year of a foreign language to get into college. Don't remember any of it.
On another note though, it's atrocious the amount of discrimination I still see "in this day and age". Don't even get me started on some of the crap that some of the Realtors/agents around here have the audacity to say to some of my borrowers. Suffice it to say that I am a firm believer in karma and one day, those people will get what's coming to them. JMHO
Elizabeth: A number of the largest towns in our area have a large Spanish population. The latest census proves that the numbers are growing for many minorities, although I hesitate to use that term. Afterall, who's going to be the minority should that trend continue?? Just from a purely business-aspect, it makes sense to, at minimum, have a working ability to speak some Spanish. From a more human viewpoint, it makes sense too. But don't tell that to some ... that notion seems to outrage them. When they say our society has evolved and is more sophisticated .. it makes me go .. really??? really??
Gene
Hey Myrl: I bet you can count to ten in Spanish. Say it with me, "uno, dos, tres." But I like the bringing a note from home part, LOL.
Hi Chris Ann: We spoke a foreign language at our dinner table as a kid all right -- it was called Pig Latin.
Hi Mary: Darn tootin'. I like your answer to that question! I'm gonna remember that one myself. What's worse are the ones who say they don't want to live anywhere near -- name your discriminatory term -- and I can't work with them. I can't overlook it.
Hi Donne: Well, you know, perfume, wine and a bathroom, and you've got a happy life. What can I say?
Hi Gene: I imagine you get your share of crap in Chicago. I don't think society has changed all that much -- society has just become more polite about it and quiet around those who disagree. People are still throwing white sheets over their heads and holding secret meetings.
Yep Elizabeth - I can count to ten in Spanish. I have just learned the word for dozen - "docena." You should see me in that little market. Fingers are flying in the air (in a good way). Dos docena - (2 dozen) tamales. . .Pollo. I'm thinking of getting the Rosetta Stone software. What is interesting is that I can often read Spanish. But can't remember the words to speak it effectively.
Dear Elizabeth -
Well - I think the issue with using a second language is about embarrassment -- not that one's brain leaks after a certain age! Since 1968, I have volunteered with adults helping them learn to speak English. They often know words by sight but cannot deal with pronunciation issues. The key is the same as in everything -----Practice, Practice Practice.
It seems we hesitate to practice speaking at all because we would be afraid to sound "X". It may be sound foolish, sound unsure -, use the wrong word --- but in the second language, our voices are more tentative and our confidence is lower.
Believe this --- just learning to say "Thank-you" in several languages is a powerful RE tool. Imagine those folks are struggling EVERY time they have to speak --- what fun to be able to correct MY mispronunciation and be where they would be in THEIR confident voice? I have received big smiles just for trying! Bulgarian
Almost the witching hour and I must go to bed before the clock chimes 3 times!
Have a happy day -
Lynn
I suspect the reason you can read Spanish is because many words are English or derivatives just as many of our words are derivatives from another language. Spring is here. We need to go for a ride with the top down, Myrl. Like lunch in the Delta or Foothills, and I'll drive.
Hey Lynn: I don't think it's embarrassment. I can't remember the last time I was embarrassed. See, to be embarrassed, you have to really care what other people think of you and that, quite frankly, is none of my business.