Am I impolite 'cause my status updates on Facebook are in English? :-(

[Taz_Zoee]

You post however you want to. Usually there is a place to show translation so I can see what you are saying.
Isabel (Husky_mom) makes some of her posts in Spanish and I just click on the translation to read it.

And since I took German for three years in high school (of course that was over 20 years ago) I still like to see what words I know.

[Cataholic]

I have 10 or so friends that post in dual languages. I have never thought it rude, or really, thought anything of it! It is your business how you post.

[Barbara]

Kirsten-it's your choice. When you are in a café with five German friends and one English speaking, everyone would be ready to try to speak the guest's language (that's really true for Germany in general) -and I would act like this online as well.

[Karen]

It is not impolite. There are easy translation tools available on the web for anyone who bothers to use them, and it should absolutely be up to the individual's preference what language s/he posts in!

[Kirsten]

Well, yes, I guess you're right and it's my decision. And those who don't like it are free to unsubscribe from my status updates. I mean, it's okay if they're asking me why I'm not writing in German, I'll gladly explain it to them. But some sound really rude, like my cousin yesterday whom I have added only a few days ago. His first comment was "Do you no longer speak German???", and I was like "Well, yes, I do, but half of my friends here don't". He did not reply to that, btw.

[Randi]

It's ridiculous that your cousin complains about you posting in English, it's a language most of the world know, at least Europeans, so unless it's about some specific German issue, keep posting in English.

[pomtzu]

It's your choice Kirsten, and if people don't like it - well too bad!! I'm certain you wouldn't be rude to them if the shoe was on the other foot. If any don't understand English and want to know what you're saying, there are plenty of translation tools available to them if they care to take the time to find/use them. Don't let them make you feel guilty - you're not doing anything wrong!