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Steak Landmark Causing Lingual Controversy (This is America. When ordering speak English)
ABC Action News CH 6 ^ | June 5, 2006 | Action News

Posted on 06/07/2006 4:42:36 AM PDT by SouthernBoyupNorth

A couple of weeks ago, it was the flap over a Spanish rendition of the national anthem. Now it's a controversy over a demand that customers speak English when ordering a Geno's Cheese Steak in South Philadelphia. Customers have ordered cheese steaks from Geno's in South Philadelphia for 40 years. Recently they've been met by a controversial sign that reads:

"This is America. When ordering speak English."

Owner, Joey Vento questions the controversy.

"Joey Vento/Geno's Owner: "Whoa, whoa, whoa - this is America. And God forbid Joey Vento says this is America. You speak English in America."

(Excerpt) Read more at abclocal.go.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: america; english; food; illegalimmigrants
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To: SouthernBoyupNorth

Isn't this the guy that was brought up in front of some idiotic human rights comission and ordered to take the sign down because it was offensive to hispanics?


21 posted on 06/07/2006 5:20:36 AM PDT by doc30 (Democrats are to morals what and Etch-A-Sketch is to Art.)
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To: SouthernBoyupNorth
Irony?

This is coming from a bunch of guys who refuse to move out of Little Italy and mix with the rest of us.

22 posted on 06/07/2006 5:21:15 AM PDT by opinionator
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To: opinionator
This is coming from a bunch of guys who refuse to move out of Little Italy and mix with the rest of us.

You're kidding, right?

I doubt that Mr. Vento still lives over the sandwich shop. He probably has a nice house over the bridge in Jersey or out on the Main Line.

23 posted on 06/07/2006 5:31:28 AM PDT by wireman
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To: SouthernBoyupNorth

When I am in Philly, I usually go to Jim's but on my next stop I will be patronizing Geno's, and then Jim's.


24 posted on 06/07/2006 5:32:31 AM PDT by Paulus
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To: SouthernBoyupNorth

I gotta ask - "wit" and "witout" WHAT?


25 posted on 06/07/2006 5:37:02 AM PDT by Amelia (Education exists to overcome ignorance, not validate it.)
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To: Sacajaweau

Why the hell should a restaurant owner have to learn foreign languages? He's right.""

Why should ANY NATURALLY BORN AMERICAN have to speak ANY other language to do business in the USA.

This is one of my major gripes, and I will go out the door if I am not able to handle my business in English.


26 posted on 06/07/2006 5:37:36 AM PDT by ridesthemiles
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To: Labyrinthos
ROFLMAO you guys are too fuuny!

Original Philly cheesesteaks use American cheese. I take mine 'wit'. I know, I'm from Philly area. Cheesewhiz was used by Generation X.

Next thing you guys will be saying... "I have a buddy from Philly and he says Scrapple is made from only the finest cuts off a pig."

27 posted on 06/07/2006 5:39:14 AM PDT by moonman (`)
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To: Paulus

Isn't Philadelphia a big tourist destination because of the Liberty Bell? What if a bunch of Germans wanted to try a cheese steak and went into his shop, would they get refused service?

I realize his sign is aimed at illegals but it reminded me of when I went to France where you would get treated like some kind of uneducated pig if you asked a policeman for directions or tried to order a cup of coffee and you didn't understand the language.


28 posted on 06/07/2006 5:39:39 AM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: Amelia

sauce and onions


29 posted on 06/07/2006 5:40:20 AM PDT by moonman (`)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

They don't speak German or Spanish. That's the point.

I can never understand anything these guys say anyway because I am a Southerner. It's all accented lingo.

"Hey, youwannawidorwidouthuh?"


30 posted on 06/07/2006 5:44:35 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
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To: Amelia

Fried onions.


31 posted on 06/07/2006 5:46:44 AM PDT by wireman
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

it reminded me of when I went to France where you would get treated like some kind of uneducated pig if you asked a policeman for directions or tried to order a cup of coffee and you didn't understand the language.



That never happens if you start with "S'il vous plait." And even if you don't, it neve happens outside of Paris.


32 posted on 06/07/2006 5:47:22 AM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (Your FRiendly FReeper Patent Attorney)
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To: SouthernBoyupNorth

"No cheese-steak for you!"


33 posted on 06/07/2006 5:52:49 AM PDT by SamAdams_Lite
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To: wireman
a real Philly cheese steak uses Velveeta Never!!! Real neighborhood joints don't even have Cheese-Whiz or Velveeta. You get Provolone or American... And always "with".

Provolone or American is right. And, for me, "sauce, no onions".

What they don't seem to be able to duplicate once you are out of the Philly area is the roll.

34 posted on 06/07/2006 5:56:09 AM PDT by Abby4116
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To: Beelzebubba
That's true of most countries. If one makes a stab at speaking in the local tongue (most) people become more helpful than they would othrwise.

If you learn the local equivalent of "I'm sorry for mangling your beautiful language, but can you direct me to the nearest brothel?" folks will practically drive you there.

35 posted on 06/07/2006 5:56:27 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: SouthernBoyupNorth
God bless you, Vento. You're going to get a lot of sh*t over this, but just ignore the bastards and stand up for what you believe in.

That's what made America great.
36 posted on 06/07/2006 5:57:09 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (Support American sovereignty - boycott employers of illegal aliens)
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To: SouthernBoyupNorth

The Activism sidebar is reserved for Activism, protests, news and business of Free Republic Chapters.

Not this.

Please read the following for FR's posting rules.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1611173/posts

Thanks,


37 posted on 06/07/2006 5:59:11 AM PDT by Admin Moderator
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To: Oshkalaboomboom
Believe it or not most Europeans have a very good command of the English language. And THEY try to speak English we they are over here. Besides tourists don't really make it that far into Philly. The neighborhood is a little rough but still friendly for the most part.
38 posted on 06/07/2006 5:59:23 AM PDT by SouthernBoyupNorth ("For my wings are made of Tungsten, my flesh of glass and steel..........")
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To: SouthernBoyupNorth

I'm apparently in the minority here, but I think this is stupid.

Philadelphia has almost no immigrants settling there, so it's not going to be a big statement against that. However, we do have tourists visiting the country from Europe and Asia, and I don't see what the point is in being rude to them when they may not speak English.

I've been to countries where I didn't speak the language and I'm grateful people were understanding, just as I was apologetic for not knowing their language. I do speak a few other languages, but only one well.


39 posted on 06/07/2006 5:59:42 AM PDT by HostileTerritory
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To: SouthernBoyupNorth


Go Gino! My guess is he'd know. His people like mine probably came here through Ellis Island without a safety net or benefits. They had to learn the language, embrace the country and become American.......which they did gladly.

You go Gino.


40 posted on 06/07/2006 5:59:49 AM PDT by Dazedcat ((Please God, make it stop))
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