How do you handle ridicule?
How do you handle ridicule? Okay, maybe ridicule is not the correct word, but how do you handle people making fun of you?
This happened to me last Saturday at a church breakfast meeting. A Spanish speaking man greeted me with the standard "¿Cómo está?" to which I replied "Muy bien" then "¿Cómo está?" to which he replied "Bendice".
I was confused and probably looked so, because someone beside him said (in English) "You know what that means?". I replied "no", because I was trying to think what he could mean. To me, "bendice" does not seem appropriate. If he meant to say he felt blessed, would he not have used "bendecido"?
I didn't say that, though. I just shrugged it off. But it lead to an embarrassing situation. Now I don't know how I feel about it.
I guess everybody handles situations differently. My first response is to distance myself from people that behave in this fashion, but I'm not sure that is a mature response. I waited until today because I thought I'd figure it out by the next time I saw these people, but I haven't yet.
I know some of you have spoken another language in similar settings and you may have encountered a situation like this. How did you handle it? Did it work out right for you?
13 Answers
I guess it really depends on the relationship you share with these people. Many times when someone teases or has a little laugh at your expense it is because they feel comfortable and safe around you. They are just showing you that you are part of their inner circle, so to speak.
Even if the intention was not so good, I would use it as an opportunity to learn and grow in the Spanish language. The next time a situation like this arises, just tell the person that you know you are not yet fluent, but would appreciate it if they could give you an explanation.
What I find interesting is that most of the ridicule I endure about Spanish comes from English speaking people who think I am ridiculous for spending so much time learning another language. I just laugh. Two of these people I wound up interpreting for when they were in a really big jam at an airport in Santiago, DR. They never really appreciated my help or turned around and said they were sorry for making fun of me previously. However, I truly appreciated the irony. 
I can understand the situations expressed here. I make it known right away that I know very little Spanish and that I am trying to learn. My very bad accent underscores my lack of knowledge.
However, the problem I seem to be running into exits within our very own community. Twice now I have asked questions and a couple of responses have left me feeling discouraged rather than encouraged. (Although this is far from the normal response.)
I am very new to Spanish and haven't large amounts of time to devote to it, but I am trying, and thanks to my Spanish-speaking customers from whom I get the most encouragement, I am getting along not-too-badly at work.
I hope that tolerance and kindness prevails in these answer boards. Everyone gets excited at a baby's first "da-da"; why not share that enthusiasm with one another here?
Sinceramente, sylvialouise
It's possible that the he was saying "He (God) blesses." I'm not saying the man was saying that, I'm saying it's a possibility.
At a doctor's office with all Spanish women behind the counter, I asked, "¿Está él muy ocupado?", because I know he is always running behind.
It may not have been the right thing to ask, but she should have known what I meant. One girl said, "What??", like what's this gringo doing talking Spanish.
So, I re-asked in English using the same words, "Is he very busy?".
I shrugged it off, but I did wonder as I was waiting to go in what I said wrong. Usually Spanish people are very helpful, excited even, when they see I am trying to learn. So this isn't the norm.
Just part of learning, I guess. 
Paco said:
he responded by saying " I speak English".
I have encountered this both in the States and in Spanish speaking countries. Occasionally, it makes me hesitant to attempt to speak in Spanish if I am not sure where the person is from or if they will think I am insulting them by speaking in Spanish. I am doing it for the pure thrill of practicing and putting all of my hard work into use.
On Sunday, as I was leaving a restaurant, a busboy whose name was also Paco, pointed to my chair, but couldn't put into words what he was trying to tell me. I realized I had left my jacket behind and said so in Spanish and then thanked him. This time, I was met with his look of relief, a smile and a Spanish response. However, my daughter questioned me why I did this, asking how I could be sure he spoke Spanish?
I took my chances. I was fairly certain he was Mexican and knew he spoke little English. This time it was a big success. Then as Paco (the member, not the busboy ) mentioned other times, the person seems a bit insulted.
I've been in many situations like this one before! It didn't happen with me in Spanish though, but I tried it it in French and Russian (I just hate to remember those situations!)
Once their was a group of Russians hanging and one of them came to me and said something! (I don't speak or understand Russian I only know a couple of words).
I had no response but ''I don't speak Russian'' and here we go, they started laughing and laughing and laughing ........ I just couldn't express how mad I was, if I only knew how to speak Russian! 
And it happened in French too but it was even worst!! (this is a long one so I'll skip the story!).
In situations like this all you can do is to keep your mouth shut until you actually understand what did he said and then prepare your answer and go for it!!
After a while you learn to enjoy it. Those who don't commit suicide.
I can relate a somewhat similar experience to Dogwoods but the final outcome was good.
One of the men ( the foreman) of the gardening crew,was working at my Florida home. I greeted him with the tradition buenos dias . he responded by saying " I speak English".( in a cynical way). Not to be taken aback, I said to him "Thats great, but I would like to speak in spanish with you". "Oh okay" he responded in a much more friendly way and we proceeded to carry on our conversation in spanish.
Dogwood, if nothing else, it must be clear to you from all the comments and posts that we all share a certain insecurity as we try to move into speaking Spanish somewhere other than in the shower. 
If you have a real problem with being laughed at you should give up learning a language now, or at least give up any hope of ever talking to anyone.
We make mistakes, sometimes our mistakes are hilarious, sometimes they make us incomprehensible and people will be confused. That's the nature of the game!
Dogwood, it seems to me that, at a church function, we wouldn't expect someone to be rude or to ridiculue another person. Also, since it sounds like he was using some form of "bless," it doesn't seem like he was saying something unpleasant. Perhaps you could just have said, "I'm sorry, I don't understand." That might be a more productive way to proceed than distancing yourself when you're unsure of someone's intentions.
I would have said no lo entiendo,¿Que quiere decir? or I might have felt embarassed for not understanding.
Unlike Lorenzo, I don't consider suicide an option. I kill them!
Then I feel a lot better. 
