Want a cheesesteak? Better know english.

[cyrix]

Situated in a South Philadelphia immigrant neighborhood, Geno's — which together with its chief rival, Pat's King of Steaks, forms the epicenter of an area described as "ground zero for cheesesteaks" — has posted small signs telling customers, "This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING `SPEAK ENGLISH.'"

And to be honest....I agree with them to a certain extent. If I go to Germany and start speaking Chinese they'll tell me, in German, to get the fuck out. They don't have to learn Chinese to accomodate me.

"Juntos, a Hispanic neighborhood organization, said it plans to send people to Geno's to try to order in Spanish and may pursue court action, depending on what happens."

I found this to be hilarious. They have every right to refuse service to anyone they please. There aren't any laws saying they have to serve someone "just because."

Crazy as this might sound, when I was in Texas like 4 years ago some immigrants started giving me shit because I wasn't ordering in "spanish."

Please leave nation bashing out of this, it's absolutely uncalled for.

[Slim Trashman]

Just heard about this earlier today, I completely agree with you. If you immigrate you another country, you should learn to speak the dominant language of that nation. This is why immigrants in America rarely are given a high paying job. To get a good job in America, you need to speak the language of the people.

[Frank 871]

Yeah,if the immigrants don't want to integrate themselves to their new country they should get the fuck out. I feel sorry for the U.S and Sweden because they have to put up with so many immigrants.

[DanWer]

What a shame, people will actually have to speak English in an English speaking country.

Damn fucking straight.

[5tatic]

That's a good thing. I feel that people coming here without speaking English is annoying.

[Algonquin]

O.O


mmm okay you do realise that some of these people may have left there country in a hurry and have not had a chance to learn english before arriving. so cut them some slack for about 4 years at the most. but after that they should at least know how to order a damn sandwich in english. i dont wanna start bitching about culture and such cause then we get what happend in quebec. where we try to let the french culture shine through then they pass a law saying it's illegal to have english on any of the signs O.O now they ligtend it a bit, they can now have english on the signs but the french has to be twice as big. not to mention that if someone comes to quebec from china there put directly into a french school GAHHH

[Kumool.]

If a german immigrant or tourists tried to order a cheesesteak by pointing at it saying "das bitte", would he been denied service as well?

Or is the owner just a xenophobic and ethnocentric redneck?

[John Gotti]

If you wanted to talk your own language u should of stayed in your own country. if not try to fit in with the country u moved too. how many languages must the peope at geno's have to learn without there being up roar. OUTRAGE!

and also I think its offensive wen people speak different languages in front of u for example if you were in a shop and two guys talk perfect english but talk in their own language probably being rascist towards us. imo

[Kumool.]

Maybe u shud learn english urself. I bet if you did the US Citizenship Test, you'd fail miserably.

[cyrix]

Maybe u shud learn english urself. I bet if you did the US Citizenship Test, you'd fail miserably.

Oh no, someones getting a little touchy about this subject.

And oh, by the way, how the hell does any of this make him: ethnocentric, xenophobic, or a redneck?

He never singled out anyone. In fact in previous articles he said it doesn't matter what race/ethnicity they are.

And if you go to Germany should they have to know english to accomadate you when you order? Or do they have the right to refuse you service.

[Lauwee]

Kind of an ignorant decision if you ask me. I always thought the main goal in restaurants was to make sales, and to do so, instead of rejecting customers speaking different languages, put up menus in different languages to fit their needs.

Just my opinion.

[cyrix]

Kind of an ignorant decision if you ask me. I always thought the main goal in restaurants was to make sales, and to do so, instead of rejecting customers speaking different languages, put up menus in different languages to fit their needs.

Just my opinion.

Again, I ask you this: If you go to germany and only order food in english and they don't understand english, should they be forced to serve you? Or should they be forced to learn english to accomodate you?

Of course not.

They're sick dealing with people who think they HAVE to accomodate them just because of a language barrier, when in reality they have the right to refuse them service.

And trust me, they're like the most popular place in the United States to get cheesesteaks from. They make an absolute ton of money, this isn't going to hurt them.

[DanWer]

Again, I ask you this: If you go to germany and only order food in english and they don't understand english, should they be forced to serve you?
They probably would understand English though, because most EU countries do because of tourists.

Like I hear in Sweden all the h0t girls speak good eng.

I'm like YESSSSS

but I see what you mean, good point.

[Lauwee]

Well yeah I guess they still make loads of money, but if they want absolute max profit from their customers, why not accomidate their language? Then that person goes and tells his other Spanish-speaking friend that there is a restaurant with a Spanish menu, and he decides he wants to go there, etc.

Meh, just a thought..

[DY]

-1 for ignorant people tbh

[DanWer]

Well yeah I guess they still make loads of money, but if they want absolute max profit from their customers, why not accomidate their language? Then that person goes and tells his other Spanish-speaking friend that there is a restaurant with a Spanish menu, and he decides he wants to go there, etc.

Meh, just a thought..
That'd mean finding employees who speak spanish [good spanish] which they'd proly have to pay more/hr so really they could lose money

[X-reS]

Quote:
Situated in a South Philadelphia immigrant neighborhood, Geno's — which together with its chief rival, Pat's King of Steaks, forms the epicenter of an area described as "ground zero for cheesesteaks" — has posted small signs telling customers, "This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING `SPEAK ENGLISH.'"

And to be honest....I agree with them to a certain extent. If I go to Germany and start speaking Chinese they'll tell me, in German, to get the fuck out. They don't have to learn Chinese to accomodate me.

Quote:
"Juntos, a Hispanic neighborhood organization, said it plans to send people to Geno's to try to order in Spanish and may pursue court action, depending on what happens."

I found this to be hilarious. They have every right to refuse service to anyone they please. There aren't any laws saying they have to serve someone "just because."

Crazy as this might sound, when I was in Texas like 4 years ago some immigrants started giving me shit because I wasn't ordering in "spanish."

Please leave nation bashing out of this, it's absolutely uncalled for.

There is a complete difference between Germany ,and the US. The sign only has one thing right ,and that "this is America" other then that they are wrong. The united states was founded by people of different cultures such as the Danish, french, Spaniards. Many people came to the United States to practice there own culture. Granted in isn't gong to hurt them to learn a second language ,but they shouldn't just refuse service just because you don't speak english. I do agree they don't HAVE to accomodate to them either.

[cyrix]

There is a complete difference between Germany ,and the US. The sign only has one thing right ,and that "this is America" other then that they are wrong. The united states was founded by people of different cultures such as the Danish, french, Spaniards. Many people came to the United States to practice there own culture. Granted in isn't gong to hurt them to learn a second language ,but they shouldn't just refuse service just because you don't speak english. I do agree they don't HAVE to accomodate to them either.

Given how the US evolved, English was adopted as our national language.

[Kumool.]

And oh, by the way, how the hell does any of this make him: ethnocentric, xenophobic, or a redneck?

He turns the entire situation into an 'english > all' situation and denies service to anyone who refuses to acknowledge that. Add arrogant to the list.

He never singled out anyone. In fact in previous articles he said it doesn't matter what race/ethnicity they are.
You enitrely missed my point. Besides how could we know that, you didn't even posted the source of this article, let alone others.

And if you go to Germany should they have to know english to accomadate you when you order? Or do they have the right to refuse you service.
Germans are bilingual. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think english class in mandatory in Germany. As it is in many European countries.

What I got from the quotes you posted from the article, his restaurant or whatever is located in a predominately immigrant neighbourhood, so I refuse to believe there is a severe "language barrier."

Given that, I find it hard to believe he's fed up with 'not understanding' them, but he's rather fed up with people not ordering in the almighty language english. Which is infact ethnocentric, he's basicly saying "my language > your language."

[X-reS]

Given how the US evolved, English was adopted as our national language.

Evolve? our country is more multicultural then ever. Not everybody is the same.

Although the U.S. has no official language, it is largely monolingual with English being the national language,[56] which is spoken by about 82 percent of the population as a native language and nearly everyone as a daily language. There have been moves in the past to make English the official language, but so far, this has been a minor political issue. Even though English is not the official language, knowledge of it is required to become a naturalized citizen. Twenty-seven states recognize English as an official language, and three states recognize other languages along with English - French in Louisiana, Hawaiian in Hawaii, and Spanish in New Mexico.[57] Spanish, the second most widely used language in the U.S., is spoken by approximately 10.7 percent of the population. Widely spoken languages also include other Indo-European (3.8%), Asian and Pacific island (2.7%), and other (0.7%).[52] In total, the number of spoken languages in the U.S. is 176. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_states)

Igles no es oficial. I didn't put the accents ,but you get the point

[cyrix]

He turns the entire situation into an 'english > all' situation and denies service to anyone who refuses to acknowledge that. Add arrogant to the list.


You enitrely missed my point. Besides how could we know that, you didn't even posted the source of this article, let alone others.


Germans are bilingual. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think english class in mandatory in Germany. As it is in many European countries.

What I got from the quotes you posted from the article, his restaurant or whatever is located in a predominately immigrant neighbourhood, so I refuse to believe there is a severe "language barrier."

Given that, I find it hard to believe he's fed up with 'not understanding' them, but he's rather fed up with people not ordering in the almighty language english. Which is infact ethnocentric, he's basicly saying "my language > your language."

He NEVER ONCE tried to imply "english > all"

Look, I'm sorry if you feel the need to turn this into that type of argument, but that's not what it's about.

EDIT: wtf? my edit got all screwed up :(

[Kumool.]

He NEVER ONCE tried to imply "english > all"
Not with so many words, but he did.

[cyrix]

Not with so many words, but he did.

It's interesting to see people infer something from an event. And then try to make claims that what they "think" is in all actuality the real reason a given event or action is happening.

[Kumool.]

Given the circumstances I see no reason to suggest otherwise.

Maybe you should post the entire article(s)?

[cyrix]

Given the circumstances I see no reason to suggest otherwise.

Maybe you should post the entire article(s)?

This is so cliched...but anyways: http://news.google.com/

You seem totally capable of doing research yourself on pretty much any other given subject. Except of course when you can use my lack of a "link" as a way to insult me.

[DY]

Given how the US evolved, English was adopted as our national language.


And what's your second language there, bud

Like in Canada it's english then French is our second language

[cyrix]

And what's your second language there, bud

Like in Canada it's english then French is our second language

I don't have a second language. "bud." :rolleyes:

[X-reS]

It could be consider Spanish as our second language. almost all high schools offer that as a second language.

[cyrix]

It could be consider Spanish as our second language. almost all high schools offer that as a second language.

They also offer French and German.

[Kumool.]

I fail to see how you could consider those secondary languages if they are only offered in high school. Leaving the incentive of learning a secondary language to high school students is pointless. They are either apathetic or one of those "I'm not racist, but.."-people telling immigrant that they can "sink or swim."

If I spoke to a random American in Spanish, French or German, what are the odds of him understanding me?

And if I spoke to a random European in English, French or German? The odds would be significantly higher.

[cyrix]

I fail to see how you could consider those secondary languages if they are only offered in high school. Leaving the incentive of learning a secondary language to high school students is pointless. They are either apathetic or one of those "I'm not racist, but.."-people telling immigrant that they can "sink or swim."

If I spoke to a random American in Spanish, French or German, what are the odds of him understanding me?

And if I spoke to a random European in English, French or German? The odds would be significantly higher.

Funny how you assume I think those are secondary languages....when I never even implied such a thing.

He stated Spanish was taught in schools, well so is german, french, and in some cases italian. Just because it's taught in school doesn't make it a "second language."

[Holy Crapper]

i think that if you live in america, you should be required to know english. the problem is, since so many of the immigrants are illegal none of them are really required to do anything but mooch and move their problems and country here. by like 2020, we're going to all have to speak spanish as our #1 language because that is going to be the dominant language of this downhill-headed country.

[DiscoBombs]

Has it even been mentioned in this thread that the United States has no official language? I don't have a problem with people speaking their native language, they are allowed to. I feel that we should all know at least the basics of two or three other languages in case we come across someone that doesn't speak english fluently or at all.

I know a bit of German and that's it. Enough that I could communicate poorly and look like a foreigner.

[Kumool.]

Has it even been mentioned in this thread that the United States has no official language? I don't have a problem with people speaking their native language, they are allowed to. I feel that we should all know at least the basics of two or three other languages in case we come across someone that doesn't speak english fluently or at all.
Exactly. The fact that people are forced to speak english at Geno's just because "this is America" is a void argument. He brings it as if english is their national language and we should all conform to this - I find that extremely arrogant. But nonetheless, it's extremely funny because he is so wrong. People like him always remind me how invariably ridiculous such argumentations are, especially if it concerns stuff like who's right it is to "own" America and what language everyone must speak.

Funny how you assume I think those are secondary languages....when I never even implied such a thing.

He stated Spanish was taught in schools, well so is german, french, and in some cases italian. Just because it's taught in school doesn't make it a "second language."
Exactly my point. I thought it was obvious that comment you nitpicked from my post was aimed at what x-Ressurected said:

It could be consider Spanish as our second language.

[cyrix]

Exactly. The fact that people are forced to speak english at Geno's just because "this is America" is a void argument. He brings it as if english is their national language and we should all conform to this - I find that extremely arrogant. But nonetheless, it's extremely funny because he is so wrong. People like him always remind me how invariably ridiculous such argumentations are, especially if it concerns stuff like who's right it is to "own" America and what language everyone must speak.


Exactly my point. I thought it was obvious that comment you nitpicked from my post was aimed at what x-Ressurected said:


Ohhhh. I thought it was aimed at me. My mistake.

[Algonquin]

okay what the hell man you dont have to speak to order a freakin sandwich you point it out on the menu hand the person the money and they give you food. whats next should we start turning down the mute because they cant speak the language?

[Clayton]

I agree with you agreeing with them. It is, after all, the official language of the country, which the shop resides in sooo....it's the official language of Geno's.

However, if this equal rights group or whatever the fuck it is goes through with the lawsuit, some stupid-ass laws could stem from this. Such as, imagine laws saying every company (in America, for instance) had to have someone that spoke Spanish and French hired?

[Algonquin]

AMERICA HAS NO OFFICIAL LANGUAGE mkay twice this has been said in this thread so there. are we now proposing that all tourists thatenter america have to speak fluent english? if so good it means moire of the will go " well screw that" and come to canada bolster our tourism

[Clayton]

Well awright then, but I wasn't about to read three pages of alternating "That's not right" and "Damn straight" responses.

Just...imagine being a friggin' short-order cook and suddenly having to know Italian.

It'd be rather frustrating.

[DanWer]

AMERICA HAS NO OFFICIAL LANGUAGE mkay twice this has been said in this thread so there. are we now proposing that all tourists thatenter america have to speak fluent english? if so good it means moire of the will go " well screw that" and come to canada bolster our tourism
Noone said fluent, just atleast speak the basics

[Clayton]

Nobody's gonna leave America to go to America Junior.

And yes, I stole that from the Simpsons.

But are you really proposing that every employee in every business that deals with the public in a large basis (eh, restaurants, just thought I'd toss that in there for scale) learn every item on their menu and basic requests/directions/questions/answers in several different languages?

It'd be easier just to do what you said earlier and just...point to it :P

[cyrix]

I hope ALL OF YOU know that you have to have a basic understanding of the english language in order to be a citizen. It's REQUIRED by the naturalization process.

So if these people don't understand it, they're either: 1. Tourists: Here for a short time. 2. Here illegally, which in that case send them packing.

It might not have been dubbed "the official" language, but given that a fundamental knowledge of it is required to be a citizen....I'd say that qualifies it.

[Algonquin]

ohh no no canadas not junior america were the twin brother that mother NATO always keeps asking you to be more like

[DY]

AMERICA HAS NO OFFICIAL LANGUAGE mkay twice this has been said in this thread so there. are we now proposing that all tourists thatenter america have to speak fluent english? if so good it means moire of the will go " well screw that" and come to canada bolster our tourism


And I'll serve them in Spanish :D

[cyrix]

AMERICA HAS NO OFFICIAL LANGUAGE mkay twice this has been said in this thread so there. are we now proposing that all tourists thatenter america have to speak fluent english? if so good it means moire of the will go " well screw that" and come to canada bolster our tourism

1. No one ever said "fluent english."

2. No one even remotely proposed this be applied everywhere.

3. One cheesesteak place isn't going to send a boatlod of tourists running to canada.... :rolleyes:

Way to overreact.

[Algonquin]

jesus. one turns into 2, 2 to four. four to eight and before you know you have hateful cheestakee joints all over the country!

i meant that seriously while i was tyyping but i just read it after i finished and nearly pissed myself laughing XD

[Slith]

Look, here's what I think.

This guy has no deep meaning to what he wants: he's simply fed up with people speaking other languages that he obviously does not understand, which is perfectly fine. I'm sure an indonesian person would be pissed if half of his customers daily were English people who couldn't speak the language.

And it's his store. It may not be his chain, but it's legally his store. I'm pretty sure that every store reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. He's merely using a right to defend his want. If the people can't speak English, then they don't get service.



If you were in his shoes, serving and catering to people of other languages every day, don't you think you'd get fed up after a while? I mean, sure, the occasional English speaking person helps brighten the day, but it doesn't change the fact that people are still trying to order in their language in a place where they know that it is dominantly English i.e. the owner is speaks it, the employees speak it, etc.

Basically, anyone who's trying to turn this into a "omigosh he's so racist" or "freedom" is missing the point.

yeh.

[Lauwee]

Well some Spanish speakers are easier to cope with than others. You've gotta tell them to slow down, and just simply point to whatever they want and tell them that you can't understand what they're saying, but you would still like to help them. Some people just get frustrated and say to hell with it.

[X-reS]

I hope ALL OF YOU know that you have to have a basic understanding of the english language in order to be a citizen. It's REQUIRED by the naturalization process.

So if these people don't understand it, they're either: 1. Tourists: Here for a short time. 2. Here illegally, which in that case send them packing.

It might not have been dubbed "the official" language, but given that a fundamental knowledge of it is required to be a citizen....I'd say that qualifies it.

What about the Mentally Disable like Charlie.

[Lauwee]

Yeah but people these days don't follow the naturalization process to closely, it's pretty easily bypassed.