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Are you "Hispanic" or Peruvian, Mexican, Cuban ....?

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Real Estate Sales Representative with Keller Willaims NJ 8736639

Are you "Hispanic" or Peruvian, Mexican, Cuban etc ...?

Dealing with the public is not an easy task and it is imperative to make a good impression. As a Spanish speaking real estate agent in Passaic County New Jersey, I service many foreign clients. That first meeting could be the beginning of a longtime relationship or just a first and only meeting.

People from Spanish speaking countries are sometimes called "Hispanics" but is this correct?

Spanish is the primary language of at least 20 nations, but it probably is spoken in at least 25 countries and is one of the official languages of the United Nations.

With these facts in mind chances are that you may at sometime encounter a client from a Spanish speaking country. Also you yourself may have ancestry from one of these countries.

What is the proper protocol when addressing someone from a Spanish speaking country?

Typically anyone from a Spanish speaking country is called an "Hispanic". People from these countries are put into this group "Hispanic" with no distinction of country or what part of the world they are from (North America, South America, Europe...)

My opinion is that this is not proper, the Peruvian should be called such, ditto with the Columbian, Cuban, Argentinian and anyone from a Spanish speaking country.

To better explain why I feel this way, I  am going to invent a new word " Englishnick". (I know Englishnick its not a real word, but just pretend).  I don't think a Canadian, North American, Australian, etc would like to be called this because they share a common language "English". Placing people from an English speaking country in a generic group such as "Englishnick" causes a loss of identity. We all know there are great differences and singularities in all countries and their people. Canadians, Australians, the British, etc. like to be called just that.

Whats your opinion?

I hope to make the Spanish speaking client comfortable and will continue to address them as people from Peru, Argentina, Columbia, Spain, etc.

If you have ancestry from a Spanish speaking country I would like to know how you feel about this..... 

 

Comments (1)

Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Dolores-We have people from many nations that live in or move to our area. I prefer they self-identify what they'd like to be called. 

Jan 05, 2014 10:57 AM