Posted on 06/12/2006 11:46:35 AM PDT by Dallas59
PHILADELPHIA - City officials are expected to file a complaint Monday against an English-only ordering policy at Geno’s Steaks, one of Philadelphia’s best-known cheesesteak joints that has entered the national immigration debate.
Situated in a South Philadelphia immigrant neighborhood, Geno’s has posted small signs telling customers, “This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ‘SPEAK ENGLISH.’” “We’re alleging that the sign itself is enough of an unwelcoming message that it may violate the Fair Practices Act,” Rachel Lawton, acting executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Owner Joseph Vento, 66, whose grandparents struggled to learn English after immigrating from Sicily in the 1920s, said he posted the sign about six months ago amid concerns over immigration reform and the increasing number of customers who could not order in English when they wanted Philly’s gooey, greasy specialty — fried steak, sliced or chopped, in a long roll, with cheese and fried onions.
“They don’t know how lucky they are. All we’re asking them to do is learn the English language,” said Vento. “We’re out to help these people, but they’ve got to help themselves, too.”
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
well ya know, possibly hurting people's feelings is now a human rights violation. :)
Can't he post an "unwelcoming message" if he wants to???
I didn't realize "Wizz wid" was English, I thought it was Esperanto.
SO!!!! The customers won't have to order in English, but the city wants to make the owners learn how to understand their menu in ALL other languages???? Stupido!!!
WHY DO I have to press 1 to hear English when this is the United States and English is the language. I am really tired of all this Spanish crap everywhere I go and if possible I will not buy from anyone who places signs in Spanish in their stores.
There is a live poll going on. Go to the link and click on "what do you think?"
Poll numbers:
88% think it is the owner's business and he is absolutely correct!
WTG!
For those concerned about the illegal immigrant problem, consider this. Local law bends over backward in a lot of places to screw up the concept of the melting pot.
If they can't speak English, then the sign won't really bother them, will it.
if they don't understand English how do they know the sign is offensive?
He should post it in Spanish too. That would REALLY tick them off.
WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE! I'd make a bigger sign.
He also needs to post the sign that says "this establishment retains the right to refuse service to anyone"
The city officials are being jerks, as are all whose deity is multiculturalism.
However, maybe things would go better for the owner if he just took the sign down and, if someone tried to place an order in a foreign language, just stared blankly and moved on to the next customer.
That's brilliant. And true!
"well ya know, possibly hurting people's feelings is now a human rights violation. :)"
The only way a persons "feelings" can be hurt is if they hiding from the truth and it bites them!
feelings are for shrinks, not humans!
Which reminds me; why do they have braille on ATM machines?
Cordially,
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