Thank you all for your comments and points of view.

Heather: I am not sure I understand the word inferiorates. Do you mean some feel inferior because thy can't speak more than one language? Or they get furious because it is socially accepted to feel angry against others?

If you live in Florida you probably know that many people come to Florida to invest or on vacation. They are not your regular landscaper or babysitter. If they choose not to speak English and prefer to do businesses in their own languages why should you feel upset?

Investing in real estate is not a small decision, and for most people it is a scary transaction even in their own native language. Why making it more difficult? You probably have read how many people are losing their homes these days. They were not well advised. I would say many were taken advantage of because of their ignorance (lack of knowledge).

What is wrong with trying to educate clients and "professionals"?
I thought this forum was to share ideas and to educate people.

It should not be a place to air personal and political bias; we are entitled to have our own opinion but we should maintain some respect.

I would never call crap other people's culture.

But that's me and the way I was raised.

Thanks Nick and Joe.

I know he is not the majority. One thing is to disagree and another is to air your anger with rudeness.

I interact with more tolerant people, and we see people from different skin colors and languages every day. I just felt I needed to share this here.

For some people insults like this are OK. Fortunately, for business people things like this should show that there is a new market out there and unless they want to deal with teenagers translating legalities of their transactions to their parents, they should be willing to serve their clients, as Joe is doing. After all, regardless of their language, you have fiduciary responsibilities with ALL your clients.

Thanks "Guys and Gals".

I did not expect so many replies. I need to leave in few minutes, but would like to say thanks for your opinions.

I would not keep posting information and would not spend hours here reading every night and learning from so many brilliant and generous minds here if I did not consider this an amazing place.

About the guy in CA, not a big deal. I just felt it was my responsibility to make some people aware of what still happens out there. We come here to share ideas, learn, and grow,  and to present to our potential clients our skills, experience and habilities. If I knew a lot about architecture, I would post about styles, new materials, design, etc. There is an audience for any topic in this network, and my posts in Spanish target those who either speak Spanish or have some interest in it.

Thanks again for your time.  Moving on...

I should probably just say Thank You All. But I preferred to answer/comment on your comments (sic).

Nora Adkins :
I wish this bad episode for the usually exciting surfing experience will enlighten some.

Jennifer Kirby :
There should not be place for prejudice anywhere.

Jon Angevine Calgary & Airdrie Real Estate:
More than attracting interest from my Spanish Speaking community, I thought some other people could also take advantage of some available information that could help them.

I won't delete my post or his post. His comment is actually a good example of how far an openly display of your lack of respect for other people can get when you offend others using the Internet.

Joeann Fossland:
Thanks for your kind words. We should not be discussing these issues anymore, but unfortunately some people are not succesful hiding their prejudism.

-Realtor®-Appraiser in West Palm- South Florida Real Estate Appraiser -:
I am probably too naïve or blind, but I couldn't let it just go. In many societies people are opting for being blind to what goes wrong around them. I was reading Nora's Blogand she mentioned how her husband tried to help a lady who was being assaulted by her boyfriend (?). Nobody else tried to help. I understand the respect for individualities, the "mind your own business attitude", but sometimes it is too much to pretend everything is OK and just ignore it...

John Dye:
That's exactly what I think, John. I think even though I think I command certain level of English, I'd still try to find the best professional and if he/she speaks my language even better.

Carmen Johnson :
I could not believe what I was reading. You may find those types in anonymously posted messages, but not here.

Lisa Pratali:
I absolutely agree with you. I have learned so much in so many topics in the last couple of months from all the great professionals and kind people in this network, that 10 nasty comments like the one I got would not change my interest in being part of ActiveRain.

Chris Hendricks | PsPrint :
I agree. Isn't it interesting that those who host those intolerant feelings usually are very out spoken? That's why I decided not to just let it pass without sharing this with those who may be interested.

Sean Allen & Pilar Lorenzo:
I am moving on. As mentioned before I am above that type of comments, but some colleagues here may not know that these types of comments are freely spared. As mentioned before, we live in a world where it is becoming more convenient to ignore what happen to others around us. Good for you for being proactive reaching out a market rejected by others. At the end you will close more deals and enjoy the process of assisting people and getting to know more about other cultures.

Pamela Williamson St.Louis, Missouri Real Estate :
Hi Pamela. My mom decided to take some classes 5 years ago to be able to chat with her grandchildren and organize her bills, friends' birthday dates, etc. It was Basic Computers: Word, Excel, e-mail, etc. All her "class-mates" were much younger and much faster. She did not care. She passed the class, she practiced, but she took it again to learn more. My point is that some people are always open to learn new things. Others opt to close themselves.

Rick & Ines - Miami Shores Real Estate:
Muchas Gracias. I did some little research about his last name....lol.. I will comment at the end. You are very smart, Ines. I think you hit the reason why he mentioned Spanish and French....lol.

Brian Brady- Mortgage Rates Report :
Algunos aún se resisten a enterarse. Las grandes empresas hoy invierten mucho dinero en campañas de mercadeo usando modelos latinos para cautivar ese mercado.
Some still have resistance and prefer not to know. Large companies invest big budgets in marketing campaigns using Latin (or Latin Looking) models to reach this market.

Eric Kodner, Lake Minnetonka Homes & Madeline Island Real Estate :
He probably already knows it, but  "At Home With Diversity" could be a good option for some.

Leon Austin:
I usually post in English in Blogs created in English. My post tried to reach those willing to assist better their Spanish Speaking audience. There are some groups for Spanish Speakers and I post there in Spanish. Thanks for commenting.

-Realtor®-Appraiser in West Palm- South Florida Real Estate Appraiser -:I lived in Brazil, and I learned Portuguese. I haven't been to Paris, but I am sure I would love it too. I just took a couple of months of French when I was in High School. I have heard that as long as you don't show a superiority attitude you will be very welcome. After all, with the exchange rate the way it is, you better be nice, oui?

"Mamey" in some Spanish speaking countries mean easy. It is also a delicious fruit, with a beautiful color (inside), and very tasty.

Final Thought:

It is important to know your market and focus on your niche market. Statistically, probably not many rich Spanish Speaking clients are planning to buy in the area Mr. Quebedeaux, as opposed to what happens in more cosmopolitan centers like Miami, NYC, Washington D.C. or Boston, so he may not be interested at all in covering other markets, but his response and attitude just shows how closed minded many still are. Fortunately, I am sure most people don't appreciate such behavior these days.

On the funny side:
You know what I found about his lastname?

The Québédeaux surname comes from the surname Quevedo in the region of
Andalusia in the province of Malago in Southern Spain. The Quevedo or Québédeaux
family imigrated to the Louisiana Territory thru Frence Canada and possibly
France, which causes a great deal of confusion. All Québédeaux families are
related. The spelling of the name was changed as French priests, who kept
official records, spelled the name phoneticlly, as it would be in French. The
principal variants of the name Québédeaux include: Quévédo - Cavédo - Québédeau -
Québédeaux - Quibédeaux - Le Québédeaux - Québodeaux - Québodeau -
Quibodeaux - Kébodeau -Kuibodeaux - Kibodeaux, etc., dit L'Espagniol. the later is
the result of people trying to spell the name phonetically, not realizing that
the French pronounce the letter "Q" an "K". Hence Kébodeau, Kuibodeaux -
Kibodeaux, etc..
And in the Dictionary of Spanish American Surnames in Southwestern
United States" we find: "The name Quebedeaux seems to be of
Spanish origin and is a corruption of the name or word "Quevedo" -
which is probably a combined word that comes from a contraction of
the expression "pero que ojos" meaning "but what eyes". It is not
known if the expression is admiration or horror. (G.A.) Castellian name
from mountains of Santander (J.A.) ("A Dictionary of Spanish
American Surnames in Southwestern United States" by Woods,
Alveray and Altman pg. 113)

Isn't it funny that his ancestors probably used to speak the same language he dislikes so much?

I also want to add a comment I received from Chris Hendricks | PsPrint, who saw my post at Mr. Quebedeux's blog (the one he deleted from his blog):Darrel:  Pretty insensitive to the fact that America doesn't just speak English and the 'language' of our country is and has always been the language of immigrants.  Living in SoCal you might appreciate more than most of us how rapidly English-speaking people are becoming 'the minority' and that by not speaking the languages spoken in the areas where we live we're making no effort to blend in to the 'new' community that is emerging.  Change is inevitable-- even though many of us don't appreciate it.  Seems the Native Americans made this language adjustment when the Spanish settled California and made our state a Spanish-speaking territory.  That eventually changed as well.  Footnote:  My daughter lives in Paris, speaks French, but is absolutely THRILLED to see and hear pieces of her home culture in English while living abroad.  It helps her retain a connection, sentimewntal or otherwise, with where she came from and with where her family remains. 

Thanks Chris for your comment.

While I lived for 5 years in Brazil I did not feel too anxious about listening music in Spanish or eating food from my country, probably because both cultures are very similar.
After moving to the US, I didn't miss much from my culture at the beginning , but in the last couple of years I have found myself attracted towards the last Hispanic restaurant, listen to music in Spanish from Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, etc. And I think that is happening because in my new career I am dealing with more people from South and Central America and I am enjoying it a lot.

Thank you all for your comments.

Thanks Brian.

It should be easy to understand that making things easier for Real Estate Professionals to deal with people whose first language is not English translates (no pun intended) into a better service to their clients and assisting others to make the right decision should clearly be the right thing do as human beings and professionals.

I appreciate your efforts to make it easier to your clients their surfing through the process of understanding what they are doing and I am sure all of them appreciate it even more.

Thanks again.

Thank you very much, Sandra.

I think all this happened for a reason. I am glad it actually generated some comments and probably some awareness of how some "professionals" really think. Coming from somebody whose last name comes from Spain is pretty ironic though!  

It also generated "Speak English Or Go Home !" by Brian Brady, and it turned out creating more waves in the peaceful waters. Good Job, Brian!

I wrote to Active Rain and they took note of this un-professional behavior. As expected the moderators from Active Rain were very responsive and supportive.  U gotta love ActiveRain!

Thanks again / Gracias de nuevo

Best,

Nestor

Thanks for your message, John.

I want to think it was not a waste of time. I think it helped to enlighten some of the readers with what still happens in terms of racism, discrimination, and respect everywhere. Some may opt for not to see it, but it does happen. What was funny from all this is that his last name comes from Spain, and he calls crap the Spanish language, and that some visitor whose parents were immigrants showed to be more intolerant than people whose families have been around longer...

Thanks again for your message.

Best,

Nestor

And he still misses the point as many others who will also miss the boat.

Thanks for commenting, Elizabeth. Unfortunately there are many who hide their fears and ignorance behind a rude facade. They don't know better, they can't accept that people with different accents can achieve more in less time, can have better education or have better manners than what they learned at home.

In a global economy not being able to interact with people from other cultures is being plain dumb, like Sr. Quevedo or as he is called now, "Quebedaux".

In the jungle, weak animals attack those that are perceived as weaker, but at the end those big arrogant and noisy animals are not flexible or adaptable enough and they tend to disappear.

I hope you made sure to share your story with every client and colleague in your area of influence so the listing agent you mentioned doesn't have to deal with Spanish again.

"They don't pay taxes but use our government's services"

That is a very much generalized perception, especially among those with hidden racial bias.

I am bringing two pieces to the forum. The first one is an article from University of Arizona. The second one is a picture from some anti-immigrant people in a town in Connecticut.

According to a report by the University of Arizona - UA's Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, immigrants in Arizona generate more than three dollars in taxes for every two dollars they incur for government services such as education, health care, and law enforcement, for a net economic gain approaching one billion dollars.

Through an economic simulation model, researchers used fiscal costs and benefits of immigrants in Arizona's economy for 2004.

These are their findings:

• Total state tax revenue attributable to immigrant workers = $2.4 billion aprox.
  ($860 million for naturalized citizens plus $1.5 billion for non-citizen, being a majority of them most likely undocumented)
  
• Estimated Fiscal Costs = $1.4 Billion
  
• That makes for a net positive impact of about $940 million.

The report estimates that immigrant workers generate about $44 billion, or 12 percent, of Arizona's economic output.

And the second one is a very offending and disgusting sample of what some opt to do to show their opinions. (One of them is a city clerk).

I believe economic reasons are not necessarily what make so many people angry against immigrants.

I will never understand so much hate.

Sorry! I needed to vent.

Why here?

Because I think many don't realize what is happening and some look other way when things like what is shown in the picture below happen.

I respect and enjoy Freedom of Speech. But some manifestations just cross the line between legal and criminal, between showing your opinion and following supremacist theories.

Darrel:

I don't understand why you are still checking my blog if my ideas go against your way to see immigrants.

The information that I posted was about how immigrants in Arizona represent an important part of the State's income and how some hate groups scream "Speak English or DIE".

But I am glad you felt attracted to either the economics of the state of Arizona or the racism in some town in CT, so I can bring some awareness about this topic to those who opt not to see the other way.

I will try to answer your comment below:

Nestor, while my comment may not have been phrased in the most delicate of manners it was not about hate or intolerance it was to voice a frustration.  I was trying to make a statement about the way many treat and expect us who have been residents and citizens of this great country for our entire lives to respond to them all the while exhibiting bad behavior of their own. 

>>I don't think frustration is a good enough reason to display disrespect to anybody. I understand that many act based on prejudice, based on negative past experiences, based on what they heard from others without strong bases to make an opinion. That was the main reason I posted a summary of the University of Arizona's report.
As I said before, calling CRAP my comment was completely out of place. You assumed, "huh, another one of those" and felt entitled to behave that way? I don't think it is civilized, but I will not change the way you take care of your frustrations. <<<

Wehave a sense of community created by a common bond in many things including our language and my words were written in frustration to the fact that these invaders not only expect the rest of us to be accepting but more so they expects us to cater to their every demand and change our lives to accept their rude and bad behaviors. 

>> I hear your frustration. What I will never admit is that somebody voices his frustration calling other people's culture or language "crap", especially if they are referring to my language. Again, whatever experiences you are bringing from the past give you no right to insult other people here, or anywhere else. <<<

In this comment I was not referring to just a single ethnic group, almost daily here I am placed in situations where people of another culture are rude by choosing to speak in their native tongue specifically to exclude me or others from their conversation even if they were the ones who initiated it to begin with.  I frequently let them know that they hid nothing from me by speaking words in their own language so they know that I did understand what they spoke. 

>> It sounds a bit paranoid. "They" are not out there to get you. I agree it is rude to speak in other language in front of somebody who does not understand that other language. It happens to me when I deal with clients from Eastern Europe, but I respect their right for privacy even if that is not something I would do. I don't expect everybody to share with me what they are talking about. If I don't feel welcome in their conversation, I leave them alone until they decide to include me in their conversation. I don't expect them to ask for a private room to have their own private conversation. <<<

Rudeness is not a trait of any one specific ethnic group but rather of individuals within every group.  I try not to be rude to anyone, I attempt to give people the benefit of doubt, if I accidentally step on someones toes I try to appologize rather than look away and pretend they don't exist.  I was brought up to respect the dignity of others whom ever they may be. 

>> I am glad your parents tried to teach you some valuable lessons. I am sure they have stories from their ancestors that made them aware of how difficult it is to be an immigrant, and how important it is to be a human being regardless of the color of your passport, or the reason their ancestors left Spain, passed through France and ended up in the US. <<<

I also do not resent anyone for trying to better themselves or their families but if they truly want all of the beauty and benefit of the American experience would it not make good sense to learn the language and attempt to become a part of the group rather than trying to be different while having an expectation of those around them to be accepting of their own non-accepting behavior. 

>>That was a long sentence, but I think I understood what you tried to say. I truly believe that part of the experience of opting to live in another county is to embrace the new language, the new culture and to adjust, without denying your culture, origins and without forgetting who you are. However, I don't think insulting other groups' culture or using signs like the one I showed (Speak English or Die) in my comment would be the right approach. I admit that after some age it is difficult to learn new things, and be open to changes, but it doesn't mean we can't try it. It is like learning to play Nintendo or learning another language, etc. If you see immigrants with "heavy accents", I would suggest to you to be patient. Their kids will hopefully be bilingual. I say hopefully because it would be wise to have both languages. Your grandchildren are probably being more accepting and everybody will live a better future. <<<

Personally I would try to fit in and if I hoped to stand out; it would be because of my efforts to become a part of, rather than not be of the group.  That was my originally intended message.

You are trying to get all the mileage you can from my misstatements and you are quick to point the finger in blame of others for their hate but from your continued efforts to keep this alive it seems to me that it is you who is angry and you who suffers from it's ill effects present in your own heart.  I am sad for that. 

>> Now this paragraph asks for some detailed answer:

First of all if what you mean by "mileage" is the number of points granted in these forums, please notice that I don't get any points from comments on my own posts. And even if I did, sharing my thought about bigotry and racism is far more important than a contest for points.
You call my interest to create awareness of injustice and violence against other human beings as "My continued efforts to keep this alive". Believe me. It is effortless as it should be the reaction of anybody who sees how some groups repeat xenophobic remarks towards any group, and it will continue to be my interest to keep this issue alive, even if it only makes some sense to one or two people. Pretending that this is not happening is not right. This is my blog and I will bring whatever topic I may want to share. You don't need to be subscribed to my blog if what I have to say makes your frustration go in the wrong direction.

About me being angry...  I am sure if you had people attacking your mom's favorite music, or your dad's favorite hobby just because others don't share the same taste, or culture you would naturally get angry? Oh yes. Nobody is entitled to call my language CRAP.

About "it's ill effects present in your own heart". I am sorry but that sentence doesn't make sense to me. You probably meant "its ill effects" in my heart? Well. Unfortunately, hate and violence toward my culture and people who are trying to survive makes me sad. I hope I am not the only one feeling sad. I wish more people decide not to ignore those angry xenophobes who wish people dead because they don't speak English. 

Don't be sad for that. Be sad for injustice, hate, violence. Be sad for those who don't know better but attacking those perceived as weak. Be sad for those who don't want to listen and don't want to make an opinion based on facts. For example, there are so many that still believe that immigrants don't pay taxes... and that is why I posted the results of the report. Be sad for being part of a small group of people that air their frustration attacking other people rights, believes, differences and culture. <<<

You ask for tolerance all the while being intolerant. 

>> Huh? Do I need to be tolerant towards people posting hatred signs, or you who decided to air your anger toward my language in this forum that is expected to be a professional forum? Are you really expecting me to say " Oh well, I tolerate bigotry and hate. I will pretend it is not happening..." .

 I have learned from not being as judicious as I should have been in my choice of words when I left my comment on your post, I hope you learn something from this too.  If you want benefit of the doubt perhaps you should learn to give it as well.

>> I am continuously learning, even if that means realizing how much hate, racism, bigotry, and rejection people are capable of. Yes, I am learning. Very disappointing, but nobody promised all the lessons would be fun.
 I don't need the benefit of your doubt. If you look at me and have doubts, it probably means that you don't trust people who look different or come from other cultures and you assume we are guilty.  I would call that prejudice.  
Most people with whom I deal, and my friends and business associates have always been nice, open minded, respectful and appreciative to cultural differences. No doubt about it. I didn't expect to find anything different while studying in a bilingual Primary School, in English language centers, or later during my professional life with American Corporations, and that is why when I find comments like yours or displays of hate like "Speak English or die" I have to show my opinion. <<<

Reading all of this once again leaves me with one question.  When you go to church do you look for the sinners?

>> I think your comment involving religion is far from what I would prefer to discuss with you. I prefer to discuss it with friends or people I think I can communicate at the same level. But since you brought it up in a clear attempt to continue venting your frustrations, and posing as a religious, respectful and accepting open minded man, I would recommend you to consult with your spiritual leader to see if your way to air your frustration is appropriate, and if your feelings towards certain people who are different to you deserve to be the target of your hate.
My religion doesn't encourage people to hate others, to wish them dead, or to make us think that we are better or worse than any other religion. But maybe that's my religion, or maybe it is just a Latino thing, and I don't expect you to understand. <<<

I hope you find peace Nestor.

>> Thank you. I wish peace to those with love in their hearts and healthy open minds. I hope one day you can review your bias and learn more about the history of immigrants. Your last name is a clear example. It came from Spain to France to the Americas, but still you seem to be extremely frustrated, and that is not healthy.
I also hope many can find peace and can live without being attacked in a daily basis, without being discriminated when applying for a job, without receiving second and third quality services in public places, when they are not taken advantage of, when people don't feel entitled to wish that other groups die or disappear if they don't behave or act the way some want.<<<

Thank you for giving me the chance once again of sharing with others how cruel and unfair many people act towards other groups.