'Speak English' Signs OK at Philly Shop

I work at a pizza place and I gotta tell you that taking an order in broken english is rather tough. you have to take the time to figure out what it is they are asking for, which usually requires them repeating themselves many times. I took spanish in high school but that was 15 years ago, and unless its either numbers 1-10 or asking them how they feel and the answer is "very good", then i would have no idea what they are saying. also learning a written language and learning the way people speak are two different things. anyone in america speak the book english they were taught in school? not to mention the 100's of dialects that the spanish language has acquired.

as for "how much of a problem could it really be". apparently enough of a problem to put up two signs.

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Truth be told, many of his customers probably can't read Englsh - so they don't even understand what's written on the sign.

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lol this one always gets me: I'll be watching a major sporting event, and a message appears at the bottom of the screen telling me that if i want to listen to the commentary in spanish to press the SAP button on my remote. but it is written in english:lol5: just seems weird that they wouldnt put that in spanish

db:smokin:

im sorry were in america and people need to speak english here.

the same goes if i go to russia,china, africa, south america, ect i am expected to know their language.

wherever you go you should respect those people and learn/try to learn their language

All we are asking is for U.S. citizens to learn basic English so that we can all communicate.

Many different languages are coming to a community near you, and sooner than you think.

When the discussion of non-English speaking people comes up, for much of the country this usually means Spanish - so it seems like a minor problem. Spanish is only one of many, many languages and dialects spoken in New York City, where there is something like 150 different ethnic groups. In the not-too-distant future many other cities will have the same situation. Some are catching up already. Philadelphia is one of them.

There are people that have been here for over 25 years and still can't even say, "I don't speak English". The best you can get from them is a smile, or a blank stare. Some of them just ignore English-speaking people altogether.

I've had people that speak Russian come up to me and start babbling in their own language. Fortunately, most of them (Russians) don't do this. The only reason it does not happen with Asians, and many other ethnic groups, is because I don't appear to be one of their own group.

Again, most immigrants try to learn, but a sizable percentage do not. We even have stores owned by immigrants that have signs in their language(s), with sale prices and other information, but not in English. I don't shop often in these establishments.

I happen to like diversity where I live. I enjoy seeing the heritage and customs of other cultures. I recognize that new ideas and progress can be helped by immigration. There are times when I cannot understand announcements, questions, statements, etc., because of thick accents. This does not bother me so much, because at least the person is attempting to speak English.

I was impressed at how many people spoke English in Denmark and Holland - sometimes as well as, or better than, many Americans. If they can do it, in their own country, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask our own citizens to be able to speak the language of English in the United States.

The possiblity of screw-ups in hospitals and doctor's offices, due to people's inability to communicate, is just one of many examples of why it's a bad idea to allow the multi-culturalists to make English non-important.

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Originally Posted by Breukelen advocaat

"This is America: WHEN ORDERING PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH"


That doesn't sound rude to me. If it was hurting the guy's business, he probably would have taken the sign down.

Truth be told, many of his customers probably can't read Englsh - so they don't even understand what's written on the sign. ;)

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http://patentpending.blogs.com/photo...illiterate.JPG

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Originally Posted by NorthBrook19

When it comes down to it, it's the idea of money. Why not bitch about the fact that nearly every product in America has at least 3 different languages on it? Christ, get over the fact that not every speaks English; are you that ethnocentric? That's what makes this country great the diversity of different cultures. Why not makes Americans bilingual so they could all understand? An outreach to learn Spanish, English, French, or whatever! We're all humans.

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So by your definition, when any Americans go to any other country, they should be required to speak english to accomidate us???? I don't think so. I am second ganeration in this country and I could *NEVER* get my father to teach me his native language because he said "Your in America, your going to speak english!!"

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Originally Posted by Mississippi Steve

So by your definition, when any Americans go to any other country, they should be required to speak english to accomidate us???? I don't think so. I am second ganeration in this country and I could *NEVER* get my father to teach me his native language because he said "Your in America, your going to speak english!!"

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That doesn't work in reverse.
When I go to Holland, no one will speak Dutch to me. They all want to practice their English.
I ask a question in Dutch, They answer in English.
I still haven't learned enough dutch, even spending a month at a time trying.:(

I support the sign.

The way it sounds the other sign was the key to allowing this:
"The sign appeared immediately above another sign that had the following words: 'Management Reserves the Right to Refuse Service,'" Centeno wrote.

If you got a busy business what choice do ya have? The "soup nazi" wouldn't put up with that shit. LOL

Have a good one!:jointsmile:

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

The "soup nazi" wouldn't put up with that shit. LOL

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No cheesesteak for youuu!

Good to see others backing the owner up on this. There's nothing wrong with informing customers that you only speak English, and prefer that they would do the same while ordering. It makes their lives easier not having to have a translator on hand 24/7. I see so many companies nowadays that won't even hire a person if he/she isn't bilingual, and it's sad that America is the one that needs to conform to the languages of other nationalities, instead of the other way around.

Again, I have nothing against people who aren't very proficient at speaking English, and who were born speaking another language. As long as they can effectively communicate their intentions in our language, it doesn't have to be perfect... at least they're trying. Some people don't even try, and that's what irks me. I encourage everyone to pick up another language, but it should be their decision which they want to focus on. It shouldn't be mandated by a company that's looking to appeal only to a single group of people.

Lol this is just gonna cause problems. I mean If you can't speak english have someone order for you other then that there is not much you can do if you can't read in english.