Business Takes English-Only Ordering Policy (Illegals May Pursue Court Action)

Boston Globe ^ | June 9, 2006 | By Patrick Walters

[Rick_Michael]

PHILADELPHIA -- Bistec con queso? Not at Geno's Steaks.

An English-only ordering policy has thrust one of Philadelphia's best-known cheesesteak joints into the national immigration debate............

has posted small signs telling customers, ``This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING `SPEAK ENGLISH.' "...........

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.

[Rick_Michael]

These Senators betrayed us on illegal immigration:Bennett (R-UT),Brownback (R-KS),Chafee (R-RI), Coleman (R-MN),Craig (R-ID), DeWine (R-OH),Domenici (R-NM),Frist (R-TN),Graham (R-SC),Gregg (R-NH),Hagel (R-NE), Lugar (R-IN), Martinez (R-FL), McCain (R-AZ),McConnell (R-KY), Murkowski (R-AK), Smith (R-OR),Snowe (R-ME), Specter (R-PA), Stevens (R-AK), Voinovich (R-OH), Specter (R-PA)
For all I care, they could/should be replaced in the primaries.

*Here's a few things you can do if you believe in rational immigration policy.

1) Be one of the already 500k to sign this 'NO AMNESTY' (including guestworker program) petition!
2) Stop supporting Rhinos in the primaries! We need real Conservative leaders to take back the party. Know who they are!
3) Do not patronize businesses that continuely hire illegal immigrants.
3) Send a brick to your legislator with a letter; showing your concern that this countries immigration policy is not being enforced and is not secure.
4)If your an American of Latin blood or your friends are, know we're all the same side.
5) Fax your Representive/Senator for free.
6)Click here to donate Directly to Minuteman Border Fence

[frankiep]

So now the invaders want to tell PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESSES how they are supposed to operate? Surely the ACLU will step in to tell the owner that in America he has no civil right to run his business the way he pleases. Ironic.

[Dracian]

Well, when I was visiting in Mexico, I ordered in English. I'm not sure a retail outlet should be alienating customers. But I suppose there are going to be Soup Nazis and they'll survive. I'm just more interested in making money. But that's just me.

[cripplecreek]

It's starting to remind me of a conversation I had with a gay "man" a while back. He called it discrimination for straight men to refuse sex with homosexuals. The worst part was the fact that he was serious about going to the ACLU to protect his right to homosexual rape. LOL

[Master Shake]

Well, despite appearances to the contrary, this is the United States, not Mexico.

[RegulatorCountry]

These dolts never seem to realize that their "progressive" agenda-driven nonsense is a two way street. They're completely at sea on the concept of legal precedent and equal protection. If they're successful in forcing this business into taking sandwich orders in Spanish, then Hispanic owned businesses can and will be forced into serving English speakers, in English.

[boomop1]

When they order in Spanish, bring them a turd on a stick.

[frankiep]

Exactly. It is a stupid policy for this store to implement. But if people are offended by it then just don't go there. If he starts losing money/customers because of this you can be sure he will not keep it up. It is not anyone's "right" to get a cheesesteak from Gino's. And I mean come on, it's Philadelphia, there are literally thousands of other places, that are more concerned with making money, to get a cheesesteak.

[Still Thinking]

Hispanic owned businesses can and will be forced into serving English speakers, in English.

Would that apply at Mcdonalds?

[vetsvette]

"If they're successful in forcing this business into taking sandwich orders in Spanish, then Hispanic owned businesses can and will be forced into serving English speakers, in English."

Wanna bet??

[cripplecreek]

I suspect his business will do just fine due to picking up business from people who appreciate his stance.

[frankiep]

I have no problem with someone ordering in Spanish. I spent years in Europe and ordered in English all the time when I was in stores.

The thing I take issue with is that the invaders want to bring this guy to court. It's his damn business, if he wants to be an idiot and lose potential customers it's his right to do so.

[BunnySlippers]

Does that now measn that the government will mandate that the staff be bi-lingual?

[RegulatorCountry]

"Wanna bet??"

Legal precedent is legal precedent. Think of "hate crimes" and the intended result, versus the reality. Same thing. So, sure, I'll bet, but only if Gino's is forced by law to abandon it's English-only policy.

[RegulatorCountry]

"Would that apply at Mcdonalds?"

If the ACLU is going to bring suit to force accomodation on the basis of language spoken, yes, it would. Self-styled progressives are always vague on consequences.

[namvet66]

Saw Joseph Vento (owner of Geno's) on Cavuto this afternoon. He made many cogent and amusing points re: what he believes are his efforts to "encourage" his customers to order in English.

He said that part of it is business in that if people cannot order and make their wishes known, it slows down the lines (which are continuous).

He also said, and I'm paraphrasing: "Press one for English; 2 for Spanish. Why are we giving preferential treatment to just one other language, Spanish.

There are Koreans, French, Japanese. Where are their buttons?"

[LibWhacker]

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.

Would they have a problem with an a**-kicking?

[Isabelle]

Not at Geno's Steaks.


Way to go Geno's Steaks--

[Rte66]

The Geno's Steaks guy was on TV this morning and showed what people were up in arms about.

On the front window, where you order the Philly cheese steaks, he has one of those regular "patriotic" signs with the flag and I think an eagle on it, which says something like "This is America. Please speak English."

Just below that, he has another of those standard signs that says "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone ..."

Some people decided to make a leap of judgment and put the two together as a "cause and effect" statement. They *inferred* that if you didn't speak English, you would be refused service.

The owner said that's not the case at all. (He's 2nd generation Italian.)

As many people pointed out in the TV segment - when you order your cheese steak with CheezWhiz, which is the *best* way, you say, "Whiz With." It's just a local idiom that they have adopted humorously. They love to initiate tourists (I have been) by instructing them about the "Whiz With" statement.

And if *that's* English, I suppose the naysayers can just kiss my cheez grits casserole!

[boomop1]

I know about Europe, when I got to Britain I thought oh boy now all the restaurants will have people who speak English, wrong most were aliens.

I Guess getting sued by someone who is here illegally establishes residence or legal precedence. Screw them and the US senate.