Would this be offensive?

[Chris]

The other day I was going to the grocery store and parked beside a car. When I turned my engine off I could hear the car beside me turning over but not cranking. When I got out I was asked by an older woman if I had a gas can. This woman clearly spoke Spanish, because that's what she and the younger girl spoke to each other. I said, "No, I'm sorry I don't have one." and walked off. After I stepped away I realized what I could have spoken in Spanish. "No tengo nada." Would this have been offensive? I'm not entirely comfortable speaking to people in Spanish so I'd be opening myself up for embarrassment. I'm okay with that but I wouldn't want to offend anyone.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

It wouldn't be offensive if you keep the polite "I'm sorry" you used in English, like in "lo siento, no tengo".

[irmamar]

You can add: "I'm studying Spanish" (estoy estudiando español). Surely you'll get a smile.

[maravilloso]

I thunk if you keep it polite it is not offensive. When I go to restaurants I will order in Spanish. It shows respect for their language, at least that is what I think. Especically if they don't speak English well and you seethem struggling with it. Again this is my opinion.

[poli]

Mi regla es si hablan inglés mejor que hablo español, uso inglés.

[aleCcowaN]

"No tengo nada" sounds harsh, as if you were asked for something and you answered adding that "nada" meaning "don't ask about any other thing, I can't help you". I know it would be a short for "Lo siento mucho pero no tengo nada con lo que pueda ayudarle en este problema", but it sounds that way. "Lo siento, pero no tengo eso" is a good generic way to say you can't provide a requested item.

By the way, it's a very good practise to think what would one answer in (Spanish/English) to every question one can be asked on the street in (English/Spanish). I learnt it in the States after answering a dozen times "I'm sorry. I'm a foreign tourist", not a daring way to develop my English.

[Chris]

That's good to know.

[Equis]

it doesn't matter, as long as your not saying it sarcastically or anything. latinos love when other people are learning/speaking their language, trust me !

[dusanman]

Originally Posted by Equis

it doesn't matter, as long as your not saying it sarcastically or anything. latinos love when other people are learning/speaking their language, trust me !

yes thats very true, every ethnicum likes when you are trying to speak them language. If your tone wouldnt be starchy and you added smile , although you would use ridicullous grammer/fraze you would get the smile and appreciation back

[Sancho Panther]

Originally Posted by aleCcowaN

"No tengo nada" sounds harsh, as if you were asked for something and you answered adding that "nada" meaning "don't ask about any other thing, I can't help you". I know it would be a short for "Lo siento mucho pero no tengo nada con lo que pueda ayudarle en este problema", but it sounds that way. "Lo siento, pero no tengo eso" is a good generic way to say you can't provide a requested item.

By the way, it's a very good practise to think what would one answer in (Spanish/English) to every question one can be asked on the street in (English/Spanish). I learnt it in the States after answering a dozen times "I'm sorry. I'm a foreign tourist", not a daring way to develop my English.

Well said - couldn't have put it better myself!