¡Ask a Mexican! - language conundrum

Dear Gabacho: Thus is the linguistic conundrum of the Mexican in the United States: Speak Spanish, get accused of separatism. Speak English, get laughed at for thick accents and limited vocabularies. Many Mexicans speak English to Mexican workers out of gratitude--the fast-food counter is the only place Mexicans can feel like Americans by speaking the shared language of haggling with Mexican workers over the cost of fries. (24-25)