Steak Landmark Causing Lingual Controversy (This is America. When ordering speak English)

ABC Action News CH 6 ^ | June 5, 2006 | Action News

[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."

[doc30]

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?

[opinionator]

Irony?

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

[wireman]

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.

[Paulus]

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.

[Amelia]

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

[ridesthemiles]

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.

[moonman]

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."

[Oshkalaboomboom]

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.

[moonman]

sauce and onions

[AppyPappy]

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?"

[wireman]

Fried onions.

[Atlas Sneezed]

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.

[SamAdams_Lite]

"No cheese-steak for you!"

[Abby4116]

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.

[1rudeboy]

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.

[reagan_fanatic]

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.

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[SouthernBoyupNorth]

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.

[HostileTerritory]

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.

[Dazedcat]

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.