OMG! Human rights violation!

[zeb1094]

ENGLISH ONLY AT PHILADELPHIA RESTAURANT

A controversy has broken out at a restaurant in Philadelphia...over a sign. Geno's Steaks of South Philadelphia, operated by the grandson of Italian immigrants, decided it was tired of people placing their orders in languages other than English. So owner Joey Vento decided to hang a sign that said "This is America - when ordering, speak English." Uh-oh. As you can imagine, this went over in certain quarters like a cold Philly Cheese steak.

The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations has weighed in...and is pursuing an investigation. OMG! Human rights violation! Evidently the sign violates some sort of city ban on discrimination. But does it? The sign doesn't say this group or that group will only be served. It doesn't say "Italian-Americans only" or "Whites only." It simply says that you have to place your order in English.

This restaurant is a private business. Private businesses always reserve the right to serve whomever they want. If this is such a big deal, then the free market will take care of it. If non-English speaking cheese steak orders are a high volume business in Philadelphia, then Joey Vento will lose out. But to fine him or shut him down is simply a violation of the First Amendment.

And besides, what restaurant can you go to where you can order in different languages? Try that at the drive-thru window sometime.

http://boortz.com/images/genos_steaks.jpg

 

[angelicminx]

I have to agree with the owner. This is America, please speak English. He's provided help for those who need it, and he's not turning people away who can't speak English, so what's the big deal? If I were to visit or moved to a country who's primary language was NOT English, by hell I'd have enough respect for the people to learn their language.

 

[neonlyte]

It really is nonsense. Maybe he should put up a sign saying our waiters don't understand... and list every language except English.

So tell me, you know drive-thru's where they answer you in something resembling English?

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Seeing as how Philadelphia is a huge tourist attraction, I think it's a little silly to expect everyone that walks in will speak English. Oh, how hospitable our country must look to those that travel from far and wide to experience this great nation.

*gag*

I don't think there should be legal action against the posting of the sign, but I do find the sign itself rather tasteless. More power to the owner that wants it up, though, I guess.

 

[Boota]

I agree with Lucky. Legal action against him is too much, but it is just a ridiculous thing he has done. And it is purely for publicity. He's trying to secure the loyalty of the xenophobic restaurant visitor.

I work part-time in a place that is visited by customers who speak different languages. I only speak English. Somehow we find a way to communicate and it's not that big a deal. Granted, some of the other people I work with refuse to help customers who don't speak English, but that's mainly because they feel stupid when they can't understand what's being said and they project that feeling onto the customer. It's no longer a situation of two different langauges, it gets to be more like, "I can't understand THEM when THEY speak that shit!"

Now, I do agree that if you live in this country you should learn the language. I would not live in a foreign country and not learn their language. And I absolutely would place no obligation on my adopted country to post signs in my language for my benefit.

 

[Antfarmer77]

I agree with the sign. Personally I wouldn't ever go to another country that I couldn't at least order something to eat in their language ( you could that that if you could see me ) I know this is going to sound racist ( maybe bigoted is a better word) but last year over the 4th of July I was in Lowes and they had banners up commerating the 4th...in two languages! If they can't even speak English does Lowes really think they're going to recognize a holiday like Independence day? It just struck me odd. I'm all for ethnic diversity, but I think it should be a two way street.

 

[zeb1094]

I agree with the sign. Personally I wouldn't ever go to another country that I couldn't at least order something to eat in their language ( you could that that if you could see me ) I know this is going to sound racist ( maybe bigoted is a better word) but last year over the 4th of July I was in Lowes and they had banners up commerating the 4th...in two languages! If they can't even speak English does Lowes really think they're going to recognize a holiday like Independence day? It just struck me odd. I'm all for ethnic diversity, but I think it should be a two way street.

When I was in China I didn't order anything in the restuarants as I felt embarrassed that I didn't know the language. Fortunatly, I was accompanied by a very well spoken gentleman who did speak Manderian.

But I was also lucky that everyone there wanted to practice their English on me, so it was fairly easy to get along.