For context: I'm a food vendor at a popular tourist destination in the USA. I am white and speak fluent spanish from years of education and working alongside latinos in kitchens and doing farm work (NOT as their boss, I feel like I have to clarify that). Our current engagement is operated by a family originally from Mexico who speak zero english. In addition, I would estimate 70% of my customers are hispanic and speak spanish, and half of those spanish-speaking customers struggle to order in english. I've been delighted to exercise my spanish-speaking muscles and often greet (*who I perceive to be*) hispanic folks in spanish. The majority of customers are happy to switch to spanish, are surprised at my fluency, and are generally more relaxed and conversational at my booth. And they tend to feel more comfortable buying what they want instead of what I perceive to be trepidation and unfamiliarity. If for whatever reason they want to continue in english, for my comfort or theirs, no problem; I'll speak in any way that best lends itself to communication.

Today during a slower time of day, I noticed a young couple standing a small distance from the booth, looking over my pricing. I smiled when I made eye contact and said "hola". The young lady walked up and made a purchase in english. The young man seemed displeased she was buying something but I didn't really think much of it. I gave them their stuff and they walked away.

Twenty minutes later the young man returns to my booth. He asks me if I was interested in some feedback. I know my product is the bomb, I don't really care about feedback (thinking that was what it was about, and assumed I would let it pass through one ear and out the other), but I said "sure!" as you do in customer service. He proceeded to inform me that he considered it offensive that I had greeted them in spanish, that his wife is not hispanic, and that if she was, it would be considered a micro-aggression and disrespectful. Of course the smile melted from my face and all I could think to do in the moment was apologize. He said thank you and walked away.

I'm all about a teachable moment, and to say his critique gave me pause is an understatement. Was I wrong to assume that they were hispanic? Maybe. Should I wait in the future to be addressed in order to properly gauge each interaction? That just seems highly impractical as someone in customer service. Maybe I should ask every customer if they would prefer to speak in spanish? I guess thats one way I could bridge the perceived language barrier (after all, everyone that walks up assumes I don't speak spanish). Is this where we're at in terms of interpersonal communication? Almost seems like a micro-aggression to me that he would be so offended that I assumed he was hispanic (now I'm just being flippant, but you get my point).

So! AITAH?? Obviously I'm seeking advice or hard truths from anyone who's got skin in the game (literally). Also if anything I said in this post was offensive I promise I am open to critique. I really strive to be a good ally and be thoughtful in my interactions.

edit: to clarify what country we're talking about here, though it's pretty obvious.