'Speak English' Signs OK at Philly Shop

[Mr. Clandestine]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The owner of a famous cheesesteak shop did not discriminate when he posted signs asking customers to speak English, a city panel ruled Wednesday.

In a 2-1 vote, a Commission on Human Relations panel found that two signs at Geno's Steaks telling customers, "This is America: WHEN ORDERING 'PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH,'" do not violate the city's Fair Practices Ordinance.

Associated Press | 'Speak English' Signs OK at Philly Shop


I know I'll probably have someone flame me, and call me a racist, or bigot, or something... but, screw it: GO PHILLY!!! :thumbsup:

Mr. Clandestine Reviewed by Mr. Clandestine on 03-20-2008. 'Speak English' Signs OK at Philly Shop PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The owner of a famous cheesesteak shop did not discriminate when he posted signs asking customers to speak English, a city panel ruled Wednesday. In a 2-1 vote, a Commission on Human Relations panel found that two signs at Geno's Steaks telling customers, "This is America: WHEN ORDERING 'PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH,'" do not violate the city's Fair Practices Ordinance. Associated Press | 'Speak English' Signs OK at Philly Shop I know I'll probably have someone flame me, Rating: 5

[katyowns]

While it his right under law to do this, I still think it's in bad taste and rude. I would avoid eating there out of principal, and because I tend to like places that present a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

[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.

[Mr. Clandestine]

While it his right under law to do this, I still think it's in bad taste and rude. I would avoid eating there out of principal, and because I tend to like places that present a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

The owner isn't saying that he doesn't welcome people of other ethnic backgrounds, he's simply stating that he'd prefer for his customers to order their food in English. Now I know that many people will say that this is a country of immigrants, and all that good stuff, but it's a country of immigrants who all share a common language. Why English hasn't been made the official language of the United States, I still don't understand... but you know the old saying, "When in Rome..."

[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.

[Mr. Clandestine]

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.

I learned Italian when I was just a few years old from my parents and grandparents, who still prefer to speak in their native tongue at family gatherings and such. I'm in the process of teaching Japanese to my three-year-old child, and I'm learning it in the process. It's not about ethnocentricity, it's simply that many Americans only speak one language, which has been the unofficial language of the States for many years. I'm respectful and courteous enough not to walk into a Burger King and ask for a "Hamburger e patate fritture", but rather a burger and fries. It's that simple.

[prairieplantsystems]

I find the message acceptable, except the "this is america:" part. That gives the message a racist tone, since america is made up of people who speak many languages, but asking customers to speak english when ordering should not be a problem.

[zeitgeist]

"This is America: WHEN ORDERING PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH"
Truth be told, many of his customers probably can't read Englsh - so they don't even understand what's written on the sign.

LOL! Perfect reason why the sign is dumb

[xcrispi]

Should be the 1st rule when letting these ppl. in our country .
If the american way , lifestyle , and freedom sound sooooo sweet you think you need to live here , you should have done your homework before getting here and learned the fucking language .
Crispi :jointsmile:

[dragonrider]

It just seems pointless to me. Immigrants don't generally come up to you and start speaking non-English languages if they don't already know you speak their language. Spanish-speaking people, for example, generally reserve speaking Spanish to other Spanish-speaking people, and don't come up to English-speaking people and start babbling at them in Spanish. At least I haven't expereinced that. So if the cheesesteak guy only speaks English, how much trouble has he really had with people trying to get their cheesesteak from him in Spanish? How would they even do that? What are they going to order --- a quesocarne? And if he does have an employee working the register who does speak a different language, what does it matter if the customer orders in a language that the cashier understands? Seems like this is just pointless.