'Speak English' signs allowed at Philly shop

[Mark Gambo]

'Speak English' signs allowed at Philly shop
Commission on Human Rights rules Geno's postings do not discriminate

[schaefer]

The sign itself is a bit discriminatory because it implies that people should only speak English because they are in America, ignoring the fact that there are millions of people in this country who are natural citizens who do not speak English or speak it as a 2nd or 3rd language.
A business proprietor however, does have the right to refuse service to anyone they do not wish to serve. I think this is why McD's, BK and other places have gone to numbered ordering systems. Perhaps he should try that.

[Tom Sawyer]

I have to say no. People should be able to put up whatever sign they want.

Now, if a customer comes in and says "Ichiban Cheesesteak, o kudasai" and holds up one finger while pointing to a picture of the chessesteak and they actually refuse to serve him, then that's a whole other ballgame.

[SurfDemon]

In fairness, I agree that he should be allowed to put up the sign. If he doesn't have anyone that speaks any other language, then one could argue that he's forewarning the customer (before they have to wait in line) that there will be no one able to understand them.

Of course, if I saw a sign like that, I would assume that the owner was a bit of a plonker* and would refuse to buy from that shop.... and I'm sure there's plenty of others who would feel the same way. So though on one hand it might garner him some support from the red-necks, on the other hand it will drive away other customers who laugh at his xenophobia.

*I'm referring to the aggressive tone of the sign. If it said something like "Sorry, we only understand English in this shop." or such like I would have no problem with it.

[crptcblade]

The sign is up only to make a point. The place has never refused service to anyone for not speaking English.

[Tom Sawyer]

It is somewhat ironic that he has a sign that proudly declares it's America and then proceeds to piss on everything that America is supposed to stand for.

[Shaggy Hiker]

I think he can say what he wants, but I wouldn't shop there if I saw a sign like that. Most foreign countries have lots of English speakers, so they can accomodate foreign tourists. Heck, the average American can communicate with virtually everybody in Australia.

[Mark Gambo]

I think he can say what he wants, but I wouldn't shop there if I saw a sign like that. Most foreign countries have lots of English speakers, so they can accomodate foreign tourists. Heck, the average American can communicate with virtually everybody in Australia.

Trust me, I have been there, he isn't getting many visitors form other countries at his store.

[crptcblade]

Trust me, I have been there, he isn't getting many visitors form other countries at his store.

So doesn't that make it a non-issue?

[Mark Gambo]

So doesn't that make it a non-issue?

Well not for him because there are quite a few people who live/work in the area whose immigration status is questionable

[Kasracer]

Like already said, technically it is considered as such BUT (and this is a big BUT) businesses are allowed to refuse business from anyone they want so I don't think this is a big deal.

Honestly, if I decide to open up a business and I don't want the hassle of trying to understand someone who speaks a language, it should be my choice. I shouldn't be chastised for it.

[dbasnett]

I have to say no. People should be able to put up whatever sign they want.

Now, if a customer comes in and says "Ichiban Cheesesteak, o kudasai" and holds up one finger while pointing to a picture of the chessesteak and they actually refuse to serve him, then that's a whole other ballgame.

Tom - How about this sign "Smoking Allowed" OOOPPPS "... put up whatever SIGN..."

[dbasnett]

It is somewhat ironic that he has a sign that proudly declares it's America and then proceeds to piss on everything that America is supposed to stand for.

What would that be? Discriminating against a minority? Is it hard speaking out of both sides of your mouth at the same time?

[MaximilianMayrhofer]

The sign itself just proves he's a redneck. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have the right to put it up. His business, his rules, simple as that.

[SunshineBH]

um...

the sign is written in English isn't it?

Now if i cant speak English what are the chances i can read the sign?

Uno Cheasteak por favor Senor idiota

[Atheist]

The sign screams of ...patriotism? I believe thats the word Im looking for.
And since I dont like patriotism, i dont like the sign.
The "This is america" part is unnecessary, it gives me the feeling that whoever put the sign up doesnt think non english speakers have a place in America. "Speak english when ordering" would be sufficient to get the message across.

[dbasnett]

The strict answer to your question is No. Signs are inanimate objects. I like sunshines observation.

[techgnome]

Actually customers who can't order in English is less of a problem than when the person TAKING the order can barely understand English.

-tg

[MartinLiss]

Anyone who orders and eats a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich which contains about 1000 calories and 70 grams of fat deserves whatever treatment they get.

[dbasnett]

Actually customers who can't order in English is less of a problem than when the person TAKING the order can barely understand English.

-tg

My favorite is watching one ethnic group ordering from another ethnic group. In my old neighborhood the Sihk's had a convenience store next to the Chinese laundry. It tended not to be a highlight film for English as a spoken language when they got together.

[crptcblade]

a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich which contains about 1000 calories and 70 grams of fat

Yeah, we know how to do things right.

[dbasnett]

hey crptc - you in philly?

[MartinLiss]

Yeah, we know how to do things right.

I just noticed your "Location" LOL.

[wossname]

It's a good job nobody ever gets sick to the back teeth of Mark Gambo's posts.

[wild_bill]

um...

the sign is written in English isn't it?

Now if i cant speak English what are the chances i can read the sign?

Uno Cheasteak por favor Senor idiota

Good point

[Mark Gambo]

It's a good job nobody ever gets sick to the back teeth of Mark Gambo's posts.

Huh? Hey Woss, speak english!

;-)

[wossname]

Well don't I feel foolish? Oh my yes.

[Mark Gambo]

Well don't I feel foolish? Oh my yes.

Now you know how it feels to be a Dumocrat (Democrat just in case any of them are reading this, I want them to know who I am talking about)

[capsulecorpjx]

The sign screams of ...patriotism? I believe thats the word Im looking for.
And since I dont like patriotism, i dont like the sign.
The "This is america" part is unnecessary, it gives me the feeling that whoever put the sign up doesnt think non english speakers have a place in America. "Speak english when ordering" would be sufficient to get the message across.

I'd order in "Pikey" (See the movie Snatch), that would be funny.

[dclamp]

i think that if you want to live in the United States, you should speak English. Not perfect English, but at least know some English or get a translator to follow you around

[Doogle]

Not intending to be xenophobic, but I've yet to meet anyone from the US that speaks (and / or writes) English; 'American English', yes, but English, no.

[MaximilianMayrhofer]

Funny, I don't see americans ordering in mandarin when they visit Beijing, or german when they visit germany. They just 'expect' every restaurant in every other country to cater to their language.

The hypocrisy and ethnocentrism just make me want to stab an american in the face, while ordering a hamburger in swahili.

[grilkip]

Why any beautiful, potent, rich American would ever want to leave God's own country is beyond me.

[crptcblade]

Funny, I don't see americans ordering in mandarin when they visit Beijing, or german when they visit germany. They just 'expect' every restaurant in every other country to cater to their language.

Hey, we kicked their asses in the second WW2. The least they can do is learn the language of their new overlords.

[mendhak]

Hey, we kicked their asses in the second WW2.

But it wasn't as good as the first WW2. Sequels are always boring.

[Mark Gambo]

Hey, we kicked their asses in the second WW2 . . .

Hmmm, was there a sequel to World War Two that we don't know about perhaps? Here I thought all these years that there was only One World War Two, So I guess the dems will spring this one on us as soon as they decide who their candidate is, I guess. I hope they don't decide until August at the Dem's convention because by then all hopes the dems had of winning will be destroyed by the polarizing campaigns of Shilliary and Barack "Hussein" Obama

[Mark Gambo]

But it wasn't as good as the first WW2. Sequels are always boring.

Hmmm, was there a sequel to World War Two that we don't know about perhaps? . . .

I guess great minds think alike!

[crptcblade]

Hmmm, was there a sequel to World War Two that we don't know about perhaps? Here I thought all these years that there was only One World War Two, So I guess the dems will spring this one on us as soon as they decide who their candidate is, I guess. I hope they don't decide until August at the Dem's convention because by then all hopes the dems had of winning will be destroyed by the polarizing campaigns of Shilliary and Barack "Hussein" Obama

Do people get the urge to jump in front of a train when you talk in real life, too? Or is it just when you post things online?

[visualAd]

i think that if you want to live in the United States, you should speak English. Not perfect English, but at least know some English or get a translator to follow you around

Really?

You should really be speaking in a native American dialect as it's their country you live in . That's probably quite difficult to speak so as you are most likely descended form the Spanish settlers who colonised north America in the 15th Century you should be speaking Spanish. Failing that; and going back even further to the first century; the Vikings were probably the first to find your country so you could speak in Norwegian and I hear that it is quite easy as a few of the words from the English language are stolen from from the Vikings Norwegian.

In any case; English should only be spoken in London and East Anglia and possibly mixed in with Breton which the South East should be speaking. Cornish in the south west, Welsh in Wales, Irish in Irelend, Scottish Gaelic in Scotland and some kinda Ali G Chav like Dialect everywhere else in the UK.

Finally, whoever made the sign is silly; Eagles DON'T speak English.

[visualAd]

You should really be speaking in a native American dialect as it's their country you live in . That's probably quite difficult to speak so as you are most likely descended form the Spanish settlers who colonised north America in the 15th Century you should be speaking Spanish. Failing that; and going back even further to the first century; the Vikings were probably the first to find your country so you could speak in Norwegian and I hear that it is quite easy as a few of the words from the English language are stolen from from the Vikings Norwegian.

I bet they don't cover that in American History