Geno's Steaks in Philadelphia, PA is famous for Philly its cheese steak. And now for its sign asking customers to order in English.Two signs announce to customers, "This is America: WHEN ORDERING 'PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH.'"
A complaint was brought to the city. The city has decided the signs do not violate the city's Fair Practices Ordinance. ( they are not discriminatory)
Shop owner Joe Vento has said he posted the signs in October 2005 because of concerns over immigration reform and an increasing number of people in the area who could not order in English.
Vento has said he never refused service to anyone because they couldn't speak English. But critics argued that the signs discourage customers of certain backgrounds from eating at the shop.
What do you think?
25 comments:
I think that this sign is a little extreme. But on the other hand, it would get frustrating after a while if you could not understand customers. It would cost the owner of this restaurant more money if he had to hire people who could speak many languages. So, I think that this sign is a little over the top, but it only speaks the truth. These people are in America and we choose to speak English in America.
I agree with Megan this is America!! The waitress cant know all the languages spoken. It would cost more to learn them and would never happen.You have to be able to understand what they want. But on the other hand this sign will also lose them business and may be a little rude.
I would be confused if I was a waitress and somebody ordered in a language I didnt know. Yeah the sign is kinda harsh but what are they supposed to do. They cant learn lots of different languages just to take an order in America where we speak English.
I think the sign serves a purpose. Its pretty hard to know what people order if they don't speak the native language. How is the waitress supposed to know what they want if they don't order in English. The sign may be rude but it serves its person.
Anyone unable to order in English would probably be unable to read the sign. I don't know how serious the owner is with the signs, but I don't think they'd be effective, and I certainly don't think their placement is unreasonable.
It's about time that someone puts up a sign like that. If people are going to come to the Unites States, they should at least learn our language in order to keep society as uniform as possible. If there are enough immigrants that come in, we might as well switch to Spanish. Personally, I'm not a fan of speaking a different language and I'd rather not have to adjust to foreigners, they should adjust to us.
yes we choose to speak english in america, and i think people from other countries should have to learn our language. If i was going over to a different country, they would probably expect me to learn there language. Its where they are from so obviously you have to go by there language. I am a waitress so obviously i wouldnt be able to understand a person that came in and spoke japanese to me.
I think that this restaurant owner has a right to post this sign, although in my opinion, he is just going to lose business. Some people, even though they do not speak a different language, might get a bad impression for the restaurant and decide not to give them business. However, I can see why the guy did put up a sign. It can be very aggravating to try speak to someone who doesnt know how to speak the language that all Americans should know.
i probly would have put up the same sign it is very frustrating not knowing what other people are saying.. if i dont have to learn another language i dont want to just so i can talk to immigrants who come here its stupid they can stay in their own country!!
I agree this sign serves its purpose. I am a waitress and i can only speak English and not understanding what the customer is saying gets really frustrating. I don't want to learn another language just so i can speak to immigrants.
i am a waitress and i work at Wal- Mart and it is confusing and absolutely frustrating when people dont speak English the sign is a little harsh but what are we supposed to do we live in america and we chose to speak English. It would cost way to much money for the ower to go and search to find people who spoke in different languages.
The sign serves the prupose. It is hard to understand the people if they dont speak english. but this sign will make restraunts lose business and may be hurtful/rude.
If people want to come the US they sure as heck can learn english! Why should our whole country adjust to them when I'm sure they'd expect us to learn their language if we went to their country. The signs aren't rude, its the truth. Its their own fault that they're up.
I think this is America and people should learn how to speak English. It's not that immigration is such a bad thing just that people should learn English if they are going to live here. It would be a lot harder to find workers for every restaurant that speak different languages. If I was to go to a different country and I wanted to order food I would probably have to order in their language.
I think being able to speak english is necessary in this country. For the owner it makes sense because it will be easier for his workers to serve people if they don't have to figure out what the heck the people are saying. Besides it just makes sense, this is the america speak american.
I think that the owner has a right to post whatever he wants at his shop. It is his and also using one language probably makes his shop more efficient. Also, this is America, and most people here speak English. By speaking one language, it makes things easier for everyone. That being said, other languages are not discouraged, just English is easier.
I think I might be on the end of the stick versus everyone else, but I think that a person should be able to speak whatever language they want. If they have communication issues, it's their problem. Freedom of speech. In other countries, they speak English and they don't make us learn their language when we visit, why should we be a pain about it? It's not like we're superior or anything.
I agree that it would be extremely frustrating if you couldn't understand what the customer is saying. The sign sounds a little harsh but it's true and people should speak English and have no problem with it. If you have a problem with speaking English, either learn it or go back to where you came from
I say if you come to america speak english. If you want to live in America you learn and speak english. If you don't want to learn or speak english move back to where you came from and stay there.
If you are going to live in the United States of America you should at least know some English. My aunt owned a store for five years in teh cities and she would always tell us how it was so hard to help consumers who couldnt speak any English because there was no way to communicate with them. What is a country without communication?
i think if you cant speak english or you not trying to learn english we should be sent back to wear ever you come from. it is a strain on our economy and such to have to put up with people crap just becasue they dont speak english.
I think that if immigrants are going to come into our country, they should speak our languange. Some of these immigrants have figgured out that they don't have to learn english because everything is written in spanish and english. They have to learn the language of the land they live in.
I AHTE NOT UNDERSTANDIN WAHT PEOPLE SAY WHEN THEY COME IN AND EAT ! ! ! you live in america so speak our freaken language.
I SAY EVERYONE NEEDS TO LEARN ENGLISH. We should make people speak English and if they dont... WE IGNORE THEM UNTIL THEY DO!!!
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