Let me see if I understand you.
You and a group of Americans are sent to do a project in
Saudi Arabia.
Should you and your friends be prohibited from speaking English among yourselves?
As I read the article, the conversations were not related
to their official duties, or interactions with American staff or patients.
It is also noted, that employees speaking OTHER languages
were not held to the same standard.
The Philippine people are noted for working all over the world, and with a very good work ethic.
If I speak Arabic, YES.
If I went to India and worked with another American, I sure as hell would insist that we speak Hindi or whatever was the dominant language if I could speak it.
Not just yeah. Hell yeah. I would never risk insulting my hosts by whispering behind a concealing hand in their midst.
Also, I never said “prohibited.”
I’m talking about what used to be common courtesy. It also used to be the norm that immigrants learned our language when they came here.
As far as “they weren’t talking about...” well who the hell knows the truth about that? That’s the point.