The comment is both hilarious and sympathetic: qualities which the I, Anonymous column lacks this week.

I, Anonymous, are you one of the bilingual Mexican Americans in question? Are you their friend? Do you even speak with them aside from ordering your lunch (in English)? If yes, and you know these hardworking bilinguals feel offended or humiliated or plain disgusted, then alright, but I will offer the same anecdote that I would if your answer were no:

Many years ago, when I went to Nicaragua, children and adults from different walks of life liked to try their very broken English with me (even came up to me in the street before hearing me speak to try conversation with me). Some, when they learned that I spoke a decent amount of Spanish, seemed a little shyer about trying their English. Some, especially kids, wanted encouragement and acknowledgment, judging by how gladly they received those. And because they knew a little English, and I knew some conversational Spanish, I ended up learning a lot more Spanish.

I won't bother commenting further on the anecdote.

I know the I, Anonymous situation feels WEIRD here because it's a stilted interaction centered around trade. And it calls up the bogey phantoms of white privilege, white awkwardness, and what have you. But I'm not entirely buying it because the I, Anonymous writer didn't situate themselves, and the questions ("Are you trying to appear culturally savvy?") sound rhetorical instead of curious--as if I, Anonymous already KNOWS what the person they're ripping on feels, thinks, and understands, and judges that person worthy of scorn on account of it.

What about the names of the dishes. Should I order a cheese flatbread thing instead of a quesadilla? What about when the person working there speaks Spanish to me? If they say "gracias" should I say "speak English or gtfo!"?? Let's say I do order in English, but say the menu item in a Spanish accent. Will I get dinged if I use the wrong accent? Or should I skip the accent altogether? This is so damned confusing....

As a hispanic american myself, I completely agree with this I, Anonymous post. Sorry, but you sound arrogantly stupid and it is offensive when you try to order in spanish. Just order what you see on the menu. "One carne asada burrito please" is a good enough order, and it doesn't matter if you bastardize the pronunciation of carne asada, because you are white and we will expect that, without judgement. It is trying to form a whole sentence in a language that you only took for one semester in high school. Don't be pompus, just order your food.

I work with plenty of hispanic americans and practice my mostly embarrassing spanish speaking skills all the time with them. They enjoy teaching me a part of thier culture and making fun of me when I get it wrong. Point is, you are being waaaayyy too sensitive. You should be happy that people are out there trying to expand their minds. Also, ever think that when they are doing their "little spanish" that they are trying to show a form of respect actually?

Also, pronounce tortilla as "tor-till-a" because that's always good for a laugh.

i think it just sounds condescending. i always blush when i'm at a taqueria and someone orders in broken (and for some reason louder) spanish.

it usually takes longer. and you look like a big idiot. i don't care that you spent a semester in chile (of course, you'll make sure to pronounce chile with your stupid accent)

I couldn't agree more, You, anonymous. It is just like when all of those miserable fucking assholes use chopsticks while eating Asian food. Dude, you're not Asian! Stop belittling Asian cultures through your choice of utensils. Fuck! What, do they really think a restaurant that specializes in foreign food is the appropriate place to pretend at some cockeyed notion of cultural immersion? Jesus, it makes me so damn mad!

to follow this to the letter, sensitive people, please order your small hand held snacks in the future not as taco's with the aaahhh sound but take-o, becuase that would be the correct english way to pronounce those letters. yes, kasadilla too. otherwise you are offending the taco guy and making an ass of yourself.

so let me get this right-people come here from Mexico, cant speak English and we are try to make it easier for them-don't believe me, call any government office. But we Americans try to adapt to their culture we are mocked for it. The only way to learn a different language is to use it. Its like riding a bike, nobody hops on and rides it perfectly. I hate Portland for two reasons-the traffic and the people that will take any opportunity to explain their superiority

so let me get this right-people come here from Mexico, cant speak English and we are try to make it easier for them-don't believe me, call any government office. But we Americans try to adapt to their culture we are mocked for it. The only way to learn a different language is to use it. Its like riding a bike, nobody hops on and rides it perfectly. I hate Portland for two reasons-the traffic and the people that will take any opportunity to explain their superiority

I'll order my goddamn taco in whatever language I feel like. And, who says that the Mexicans get offended? I'd bet maybe 1 out of 10 - if that. Jesus Christ, find something legitimate to get annoyed about - jerk face.

how do you say 'suck my cock' in spanglish?

Hey, poster here. To all my critics your assumptions are completely correct. I'm totally white, non bilingual and a pompous asshole. Please don't take it to heart. It's just a silly rant about dumb white people. Isn't that what this column is for? I totally support anyone trying to learn a foreign language.

Too Ms Michelle. Yes I did think that it maybe a sign of respect. That was my whole point, is that the opposite might be conveyed.

Oh give me a goddamn break.

I worked at a restaurant in Portland in which (surprise surprise) all the cooks, dishwashers, bussers, etc. were Mexican. Most spoke very little English and would converse with each other in Spanish. I felt like an idiot white chick missing out on the comments and jokes. I picked up some Spanish, and it worked better for everyone.

What is the BFD if you order in Spanish? Maybe you should post "English only" signs at the taqueria. After all, only White Anglo-Saxons are welcome here in Ore-ee-gawn.

Yome, chupa mi verga.

White people crack me up...

If a gringo orders in crappy spanish at a taqueria, it can be lame, patronizing, and insensitive. If a gringo is friends with, works with, neighbors with native spanish speakers,then it's cool, fun, all smiles and good times. It's about knowing and respecting the people who have to listen to you massacre spanish. That's the formula.

When I first met my BF's extended family, for some reason they all thought I was Japanese. When I introduced myself as "Ed", replied "oh, I expected a Japanese name." What the fuck. Tell me if that's not tactless racism, or I would like to call it "unintentional" racism. BTW, I am not Japanese.

It is people like you that perpetuate the mono linguistic culture that we have here in America. When I travel abroad I go to lots of places that have 3-4 languages spoken and no one is a little whiny bitch when people who are learning doesn't speak one of them perfectly.

I really don't see whats wrong with trying to speak in another language, this is how you learn. Since when is every one so offended by everything?

Massacre? Is anyone getting upset when people from other countries are trying to speak to you in english. Are we like "damn dude your pulverizing our language and on top of that pandering to us"..give us break.

Can't a brother try and learn? Por que?