I am thinking of asking a Mexican restaurant to let me work there for free to help me learn Spanish is that a good idea?

Question

I am considering working for free at a Mexican restaurant to help me learn Spanish is that a good idea?

Answer 1

Jaja, ok, it all depends on where you live...if it's in Texas, especially southern Texas, it's ok, because a good part of them are illegal anyways, so Americans are already losing money. (Ok that was kind of mean, but it's thinking outside the box, and sadly partially true.) Anyways, as I had mentioned, offer to be a greeter/stuart, like someone who greets customers and seats them. That's a job that shouldn't be making a bunch money anyways, so doing it for free for educational purposes is great, thus leaving the better paying jobs open for people who need them. Mortimer was right though, when it comes to learning make sure you're obtaining useful lingo, not just things to say when something makes you mad. (Hint: if it begins with "C" and ends "ao" you don't need to know it!) But on the contrary to that, busy/fast-pased jobs can help you build your vocabulary quick, if you can keep up. It will teach you how to communicate quickly, and when it becomes a neccesity for you to know how to say something, trust me, you'll tend to learn it quicker.

• An Anglo friend recently retired and took a job in a meat-processing plant in Garden City, KS. Lasted a week and not because he speaks little Spanish. Dangerous, filthy job in a plant whose brand of chicken is famous. Treats workers poorly, too. - 0057ed01 Dec 7, 2009
• Want to add, also, that CBP raids the homes of undocumented workers, but has never once brought charges against management that hires them. The company advertises for workers as far south as Oaxaca. Smuggles them across the border. - 0057ed01 Dec 7, 2009
• Some of these hideous practices are documented in the film, "Food, Inc." Check it out. - 0057ed01 Dec 7, 2009
• This is all great info...but what does it have to do with what I posted? =) - DJ_Huero Dec 7, 2009
• You observed: "...so Americans are already losing money" (from illegal workers.) Partially true, as you also wrote. But there is far more to the story, as I'm sure you also know. Like corruption, hypocrisy, and exploitation of good and decent people. - 0057ed01 Dec 7, 2009
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Answer 2

It would certainly help your Spanish.

But what if your doing this takes a paid job away from someone who desperately needs it?

It's a dilemma - perhaps you could look for a local charity that needs help instead?

• That is very true. If I own a restaurant and have an unpaid worker, it is one less person I have to pay. - 00f2b5a1 Dec 7, 2009
• Exactly, so he can be a greeter or something, while they pay the others to do harder labor. =) - DJ_Huero Dec 7, 2009

Answer 3

I think that is a great idea. There are two problems that I can see. The first is that if you work in the kitchen, you will learn mostly swear words. The second is that as an "outsider" it will take you a while to be accepted, The staff might think that you are a government spy or a management informer. Once you have got over that hurdle, I can imagine it would be a great way to immerse yourself in the language. Good luck,

Answer 4

¡Hola! In my opinion I agree with that you may take a job from person who really needs money I think you should start a group which is "learning spanish group" with your firends or family so you all can speak all the time in spanish even you can label all the rooms, kitchen, ...etc with their spanish names so you can memorize them fast or you can help someone who knows spanish but want to learn english so both of you will benifit of that.

I wish you all the best. Good luck Norah

Answer 5

If you live in a city that is large and diverse I think you will be able to find a volunteer job somewhere. Some of my friends that work construction will leave New Mexico and go east. THey sign up with job corp for quick work. I wonder if you were around there or a similar place in the morning if you would find out where there might be a social service place with a concentration of Spanish speaking people in need.

Or you could make some calls but there is less adventure with that.

• you know, I really want to meet your animals and you!! We live so close!! - sunshinzmomm Dec 7, 2009

Answer 6

An interesting question because I've been toying with the idea of hiring a Spanish speaking person as an apprentice.

Answer 7

I had that same thought and did ask at several places to help for free. I was told that I could not because of insurance reasons. (injury or accident)

• That's a good point, why do the insurance companies have to screw up everything? - Yeser007 Dec 7, 2009
• good point though...it's because if they're under your roof and care, they're your liability. it sucks, but not that I think, I know why it's that way. - DJ_Huero Dec 7, 2009

Answer 8

I wouldn't worry about taking a job from someone else. If the restaurant will take you in as a volunteer, you will not cost them anything and they could still hire someone if they needed more help. I think it would be a good opportunity because some of the ones I have been to are made up primarily of hispanohablantes (Spanish speakers).

Answer 9

All answers were great! Thank you all.