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Like most barns in this area, our barn crew is Spanish speaking. I don't know if they are from Mexico; it's not my business. What would be the appropriate response to people who call them "the Mexicans?" I was thinking "we don't refer to people by their nationality. Gabriel and his crew are part of the staff and I'll be happy to introduce you to them so you can learn their names."

If they are clueless idiots but not malicious, I would start with "Gabriel..." if they are indeed jerks, then the whole sentence in a very pointed manner.

Its a perfect response.

We call our barn workers by their names. Anyone who calls them anything else is swiftly reprimanded. Our barn
employees are vital to our team and are entitled to kindness and respect.

PaulaO wrote: Gabriel and his crew are part of the staff and I'll be happy to introduce you to them so you can learn their names."

This. Spoken firmly and decisively should make the point.

Tarlo Farm wrote:

PaulaO wrote: Gabriel and his crew are part of the staff and I'll be happy to introduce you to them so you can learn their names."

This. Spoken firmly and decisively should make the point.

You're both politer than I'd be -- and have been -- in situations like this

I'm filing this away for future use.

I'm trying to learn to stop alienating the dopes and saving my venom for the truly vile.

Tarlo Farm wrote::D I'm trying to learn to stop alienating the dopes and saving my venom for the truly vile.

I'm not always obnoxious, but it's hard to control under circumstances as described

Last time something like this happened, I was in a Lyft on the way home from the airport. I played dumb until the driver clarified who he was referencing, then told him that "those people" were my neighbors and friends ... and left a detailed review.

OMG I hated when people used this reference. I would always say, "First of all, most of the guys are from Guatemala. Second of all, we call them grooms."

I would probably be confused and it would only be partly an act.

LeoApp wrote:OMG I hated when people used this reference. I would always say, "First of all, most of the guys are from Guatemala. Second of all, we call them grooms."

And you could add "And they have forgotten more than you will ever know" >:-P

Abby Kogler wrote:And you could add "And they have forgotten more than you will ever know" >:-P

And have endured more than you'll ever know. . . .

The cluelessness is astounding sometimes, isn't it?

I recall when a rather nice private house/barn set up was for sale in the horsey town where I used to live. A friend of mine bought it so I got this info from the inside. At the time of sale, there was a worker on the grounds, and the sellers were hoping the new buyers would employ him because he didn't want to move with them to another town. So they said, "That's __name__. He's such a great guy, almost like one of the family!" Only they had provided him as living quarters an unheated shack on the property with no running water. Now, this was southern California, true, but we did still get cold inland winters, and one still needs sanitary facilities for somewhere to qualify as "living quarters". "one of the family" indeed.

The guys at my barn were also great with the horses and worked very hard. Everyone did tip them very well so I think they did OK in that regard.

Our guys bring the horses in and out but other than that don't do anything like grooming or wound care. They keep the barn in great shape and running smoothly. Thanks for the replies. I hope I never have to use the suggestions.

There was a young man who worked at Jim Graham's barn and he wanted more than anything to ride and compete. Jim would teach him if only he had a horse. I let him ride and take lessons on my Billy. He even competed in some local shows on Billy and I was his groom.