THE English language has its benefits I guess.

It is the most widely used language in the world and for the purpose of this column and its readers I will continue to write in English.

But there is actually nothing better than being bi-lingual. To be able to speak in a different languages has got to be a blessing.

Much of this has to do with the fact that Punjabi (my other language) is filled with profanities and sarcasm.

The latter is true when one is faced with almost any daily situation. Punjabis like to make a point and then belittle the other person at the same time. All in good jest of course.

But there are times when I sense people should not speak another language.

When I was growing up, one of the things that annoyed me was when my school friends would speak in another language in front of my non-Punjabi speaking friends.

It really bothered me. I found this extremely rude and I could tell that my non-Punjabis found this annoying too.

Now, this is not just me being extra-considerate but I do think that if you have anything to say to someone then just speak in English and get it over and done with.

And after all these were our friends so why speak in another language to make the other person feel uneasy when you can speak English?

In apparent rebellion I would answer my Punjabi and Gujrati friends in English – which they did not take kindly too.

I can understand this if your English is not so good but come on I know for a fact most of us just do it to hide what we are saying.

I do think this has over the years meant that sometimes the non-Punjabi or Gujrati speaker for that matter feeling a little dejected.

The reason I say this that it is not good when it happens to you. On my travels over the years I came across many a situation when I was at the other end.

Several times when a Spanish speaker at a shop would be speaking and then looking in my direction and laughing with one his colleagues it wound me up good and proper.

You know he isn’t talking about you but then again you can’t be too sure.