"English Only" sign under attack
Philly officials cite eatery for English-only sign But store owner says he won't back down A sign telling customers they must order in English graces the counter Wednesday at Geno's Steaks in Philadelphia. PHILADELPHIA - An English-only ordering policy at one of the city’s most famous cheesesteak joints has drawn an official discrimination complaint, but the owner said Monday he won’t back down. The city’s Commission on Human Relations alleges that the policy at Geno’s Steaks discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there, said Rachel Lawton, acting executive director. Geno’s owner Joseph Vento posted two small signs at his shop in South Philadelphia proclaiming: “This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ’PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH.”’ Lawton said that violates the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance, which prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing. “It’s discouraging patronage by non-English speaking customers because of their national origin or ancestry,” she said. Vento, 66, whose grandparents struggled to learn English after arriving from Sicily in the 1920s, said Monday that he isn’t discriminating and has no intention of giving in. “I would say they would have to handcuff me and take me out because I’m not taking it down,” Vento said. He said no customer had ever been turned away because of the policy. Vento said he posted the sign about six months ago because of concern over the debate on immigration reform and the increasing number of people in the area who can’t order in English. The historically Italian community has become more diverse as immigrants from Asia and Latin America have moved in. Lawton said Vento could be ordered to take down the signs or face fines. The dispute could end up in court. “Let them do what they want to,” Vento said. “When it comes, then we’ll deal with it.” The Philadelphia Inquirer quoted Mary Catherine Roper, a spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union, who said Geno’s “has a right to express its opinion, however offensive. ... But there are specific limitations on places of public accommodation, because they are supposed to be available to everyone.” A city councilman quoted in the paper said the signs were “divisive and mean-spirited.” Cheesesteaks and ‘freedom fries’ When a non-English speaking customer showed up at the window a short time later, a clerk patiently coached him through the process. Eventually, both said “cheesesteak.” Vento, a short, fiery man with a ninth-grade education, arms covered in tattoos and a large diamond ring in his ear, also sells “freedom fries” to protest France’s opposition to the Iraq war. He rails against Mumia Abu-Jamal, the man who was convicted of killing police Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981 and has become a cause celebre among some death penalty opponents. Memorials to Faulkner are posted at his shop. Vento said he has gotten plenty of criticism and threats. One person told him they hoped one his many neon signs flames out and burns the place down, he said. But he said he plans to hold his ground. Competitors are seizing on the controversy. Tony Luke’s issued a statement saying it welcomes all customers “whether or not they speak a ‘wit’ of English.” And a manager at Pat’s, Kathy Smith, said of Geno’s English-only policy: “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life. I’d rather listen to the Spanish than the foul language of the college students.” Source: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13272368/?GT1=8211

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with a store in America insisting that customers speak English. It makes it difficult on their staff to deal with customers who don't speak English. It's to the company's own detriment to insist that customers speak English because some people who don't or prefer to speak in another language may choose to eat elsewhere but that's the risk of running a business. I don't see why it should be illegal to ask that patrons speak English. It's not like the manager said he won't serve people from other nationalities. They just have to place their order in English. Just curious, though. I wonder if sign language is included as English. If patrons are unable to speak or don't know English, do they have the option to point to what they want? :lol:

But if the people don't speak English, how are they supposed to read the sign??? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Well, obviously the store should have interpreters on the staff, fluent in all languages on Earth, to read the menu to patrons and take their orders. Why should people of different nationalities have to learn our language when they move here? That would be a ridiculous requirement! :roll: For that matter, why would they have to use our currency? Stores should accept lira, ruples, Euros, conch shells, shrunken heads, whatever currency the customer wants to use. In case you missed it, the above=sarcasm. :wink:

Hey...I don't mind the rule. It's his business. There's a Mexican place here in Birmingham I HAVE to order in Spanish because the waitresses don't speak much English. Most Anglos don't go there and those who do either speak Spanish or point to menu items. But its AUTHENTIC Mexican food. Makes me feel like I'm back in El Paso. :grin: Hey...its just a freakin' cheesesteak place. Does the world really care if you have to order a freakin' cheesesteak in English? :neutral:

ROFL I figure it would only hurt his business having the sign up.

Excuse-moi, je ne parle pas cheesesteak. :lol:

Order like that and you might end up with a grilled rat sandwich. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Doesn't a business have a right to refuse service? Are there certain guidelines as to what constitutes the reason a business owner can refuse service? The sign is up that clearly states why a customer may be refused service. IMO that is kind of considerate. There is a steakhouse in Pensacola that has a no tie rule. Is that discrimination towards businessmen/women???? If you walk in wearing a tie they will either cut it (with permission of course) to hang on the wall or ask the person to take it off. I don't think it is too much to ask immigrants who come into our country to at least put in an effort to learn English. If anything, being bilingual is a benefit. Not that they are expected to learn it overnight, but the effort should at least be there. We all come from immigrants and somewhere down the line they either learned English or made sure that their children did. I don't see anyone bitching and complaining about that. Shoot in some other countries they are taught English as well as the native language. I don't hear them complaining. Korea is a great example of that. Oh well, it is a hard arguement to win.

ITA with Slim. And really is it all that difficult to at least pick up on words like-cheesesteak, fries, coke, etc. Honestly, I have some immigrants that work for me who know the importants words like check and pay *shrugs* if it's important enough, trust me, they learn the english word for it!