Owner Institutes English Only Policy at One Philly Cheesesteak Joint / UPDATE: HE'S BEING SUED

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Amused
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.

Court action? I hope the judge laughs in their faces, then tells them to eat somewhere else.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Amused
English Only at One Philly Cheesesteak Joint

PHILADELPHIA (June 9) - 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.

Situated in a South Philadelphia immigrant neighborhood, Geno's - which together with its chief rival, Pat's King of Steaks, forms the epicenter of an area described as "ground zero for cheesesteaks" - has posted small signs telling customers, "This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING 'SPEAK ENGLISH."'

"They don't know how lucky they are. All we're asking them to do is learn the English language," said Geno's owner Joseph Vento, 66. "We're out to help these people, but they've got to help themselves, too."

Vento, 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.

Of course, it's not as if native Philadelphians speak the King's English either. A Philadelphian might order a cheesesteak by saying something like, "Yo, gimme a cheesesteak wit, will youse?" ("Wit," or "with," means with fried onions.) To which the counterman might reply: "Youse want fries widdat?"

The traditionally Italian community near Geno's has become more diverse over the decades. Immigrants from Asia and Latin America have moved in, joining longtime residents and young professionals seeking reasonably priced rowhouses. In the past 10 years, an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Mexican immigrants - many of them here illegally, community leaders say - have settled in South Philly.

Vento said his staff is glad to help non-native speakers order in English and has never turned someone away because of a language barrier.

But the policy has "really upset a lot of a people," said Brad Baldia of Day Without An Immigrant, a coalition of immigrant groups. "For some people, I think we're just going to say, 'Le gusta Pat's."'

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.

"His grandparents encountered the same racism and the same xenophobia," said Peter Bloom, the group's director. "Why would he begin that process over again?"

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.

Customers placing orders on a recent morning seemed unfazed.

Angelica Marquez, 22 and originally from Puerto Rico, ordered in well-spoken English, but said some of her relatives struggle with the language. "They always come and just say 'cheesesteak,"' Marquez said, adding that the policy "bothers her some" but not enough to keep her away.

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 black 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.

Those who market the city, often using images of Geno's and other famous steak shops, are watching with concern.

"I certainly wouldn't want a national audience to think it represented all of the wonderful cheesesteak makers in the whole city," said Meryl Levitz, president and chief executive of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. "This isn't representative of the Philadelphia attitude."

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."

Hahaha, I was just there a month ago when I visited Philladelphia. I think I saw this guy.
But in a way, I do agree with them. First, it is their business, they can run it anyway they want. Second, I think more business owners should adapt this policy as well. It can be quite a nuisance to be a forced to verbally interact with someone who doesnt speak your language. Especially in your own country.

Strange, yes, because it hasn't been done before, or not much light was shed upon it.

Bad idea, I think not.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: RBachman

"This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING 'SPEAK ENGLISH."'

Funny, the Spanish-speaking nations where most of our immigrants, legal or otherwise, are from are in central and south America as well. What the owner surely meant, had he but 3 neurons with which to articulate it, is that this is the United States. But 3 neurons is hardly enough to formulate a plausible mask for racism. How much longer must we continue to make leaping strides backward?

You must be from Michigan. :roll:

 

[j00fek]

should be alot more like this

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: RBachman

"This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING 'SPEAK ENGLISH."'

Funny, the Spanish-speaking nations where most of our immigrants, legal or otherwise, are from are in central and south America as well. What the owner surely meant, had he but 3 neurons with which to articulate it, is that this is the United States. But 3 neurons is hardly enough to formulate a plausible mask for racism. How much longer must we continue to make leaping strides backward?

You must be from Michigan. :roll:

No, the other 49 states also offer better than a 9th grade education. The choice of whether or not to pursue it depends on the individual rather than his or her state of residence.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: RBachman

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: RBachman

"This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING 'SPEAK ENGLISH."'

Funny, the Spanish-speaking nations where most of our immigrants, legal or otherwise, are from are in central and south America as well. What the owner surely meant, had he but 3 neurons with which to articulate it, is that this is the United States. But 3 neurons is hardly enough to formulate a plausible mask for racism. How much longer must we continue to make leaping strides backward?

You must be from Michigan. :roll:

No, the other 49 states also offer better than a 9th grade education. The choice of whether or not to pursue it depends on the individual rather than his or her state of residence.

It really doesn't take much more than a 9th grade education to understand that the term "American" is the accepted term when refering to residents of the United States of America.

 

[L1FE]

I don't even know what the big deal is? Sure the sign seems a little inflammatory, but the guy isn't refusing to serve non-English speakers. If anything, he's doing more for them by taking the time to teach them how to say Cheesesteak which they can then use over and over again in any cheesesteak restaurant of their choice. People should learn to actually RTFA before they're allowed to comment and make overblown comments involving the word "racism."

 

[akubi]

[HERO]

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: RBachman

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: RBachman

"This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING 'SPEAK ENGLISH."'

Funny, the Spanish-speaking nations where most of our immigrants, legal or otherwise, are from are in central and south America as well. What the owner surely meant, had he but 3 neurons with which to articulate it, is that this is the United States. But 3 neurons is hardly enough to formulate a plausible mask for racism. How much longer must we continue to make leaping strides backward?

You must be from Michigan. :roll:

No, the other 49 states also offer better than a 9th grade education. The choice of whether or not to pursue it depends on the individual rather than his or her state of residence.

It really doesn't take much more than a 9th grade education to understand that the term "American" is the accepted term when refering to residents of the United States of America.

Actually the term used was "America" when referring to the US, not "American" in reference to its residents. Try to follow along as best you can. Regardless, both are slang. And what about south and central America? 😉

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: L1FE
I don't even know what the big deal is? Sure the sign seems a little inflammatory, but the guy isn't refusing to serve non-English speakers. If anything, he's doing more for them by taking the time to teach them how to say Cheesesteak which they can then use over and over again in any cheesesteak restaurant of their choice. People should learn to actually RTFA before they're allowed to comment and make overblown comments involving the word "racism."

But then threads like this on ATOT would be much less entertaining.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: RBachman

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: RBachman

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: RBachman

"This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING 'SPEAK ENGLISH."'

Funny, the Spanish-speaking nations where most of our immigrants, legal or otherwise, are from are in central and south America as well. What the owner surely meant, had he but 3 neurons with which to articulate it, is that this is the United States. But 3 neurons is hardly enough to formulate a plausible mask for racism. How much longer must we continue to make leaping strides backward?

You must be from Michigan. :roll:

No, the other 49 states also offer better than a 9th grade education. The choice of whether or not to pursue it depends on the individual rather than his or her state of residence.

It really doesn't take much more than a 9th grade education to understand that the term "American" is the accepted term when refering to residents of the United States of America.

Actually the term used was "America" when referring to the US, not "American" in reference to its residents. Try to follow along as best you can. Regardless, both are slang. And what about south and central America? 😉

They are not slang. If the term American is slang then what is the official term for the "American Revolution"? As for America once again in common accepted usage by almost everyone in the world the term America used in that context refers to the United States of America. You may wish it were otherwise but it is not. Let me help you a bit more.

A·mer·i·can ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-mr-kn)
adj.
Of or relating to the United States of America or its people, language, or culture.
Of or relating to North or South America, the West Indies, or the Western Hemisphere.
Of or relating to any of the Native American peoples.
Indigenous to North or South America. Used of plants and animals.

n.
A native or inhabitant of America.
A citizen of the United States.
American English.

A·mer·i·ca ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-mr-k)

The United States.
also the A·mer·i·cas (-kz). The landmasses and islands of North America, Central America, and South America.

america

n 1: North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776 [syn: United States, United States of America, America, US, U.S., USA, U.S.A.] 2: North and South America [syn: America, the Americas]

No where in either of those definitions is the term said to be a slang term so before you question someones neuron count perhaps you should inform yourself. The owner is in no way incorrect when he uses the term America.

 

[jmdeathsquad]

maybe I missed something, but how are people going to order in spanish if the guy doesnt speak spanish?

 

[CKent]

A case of slang overtaking proper language due to popularity in action. I say in action because the very definitions you listed do not define the term as being exclusive to the US. Again, try to follow along as best you can... perhaps you feel the need to defend this small business owner because you can relate to him in some way or another? Something to do with the number 9? Anywho, enjoy your freedom fries, Jeb. I'm out 🙂

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: RBachman
A case of slang overtaking proper language due to popularity in action. I say in action because the very definitions you listed do not define the term as being exclusive to the US. Again, try to follow along as best you can... perhaps you feel the need to defend this small business owner because you can relate to him in some way or another? Something to do with the number 9? Anywho, enjoy your freedom fries, Jeb. I'm out 🙂

I have no issue at all with your level of education. 😉

 

[ryan256]

Good for him
This is yet another example of why America is no longer the great melting pot, but rather the great mosaic.

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: loup garou

also sells "freedom fries" to protest France's opposition to the Iraq war

:roll:

Personally, I wouldn't care if you grunted and pointed at what you want if it were my restaurant as long as you had the cash to pay for it, but I guess it goes with the way these cheesesteak dumps get off on their little song and dance rigamarole for ordering (wit, witout, etc). But, hey, it's his restaurant.

 

[Doboji]

I tend to agree with this... English is the spoken language in this country... it's ridiculous that we be required to speak another language..

AT the same time, we had better be prepared to pay the costs of educating all these immigrants so that they actually can speak english.

-Max

 

[mercanucaribe]

I hope the backlash to this English fanaticism comes in the form of other countries refusing to speak English to American visitors and expatriates.

 

[daveymark]

Dude has a right to enforce an english only policy, and I have a right not to eat there, and tell everyone I know not to eat there.

Quite simple, really.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
I hope the backlash to this English fanaticism comes in the form of other countries refusing to speak English to American visitors and expatriates.

Oh, no! Your poor bleeding heart!

How about this? If you don't like it then take your business somewhere else. Nah...that makes too much sense...

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
I hope the backlash to this English fanaticism comes in the form of other countries refusing to speak English to American visitors and expatriates.

It would never happen, they love the tourist dollars too much. As for expatriates you would have to be a total idiot to be an expatriate and not expect to learn to speak the language of your new home. I can't imagine living in Mexico and not bothering to learn spanish nor do I think that the government there would be in anyway helpful to me if I tried to conduct all my business in english.

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Colt45
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=52&threadid=1874259&enterthread=y

Ah, I see. Well, search didn't find it, And I don't go into P&N for obvious reasons.

I don't consider this a repost.

All you ever do is troll in OT posting political and conservative bullsh!t. An Amused post almost invarriably leads to a flamefest. IMHO P&N was created specifically for people like YOU!

 

[Demon-Xanth]

It's not the store's responsibility to be babelfish.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: preslove

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Colt45
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=52&threadid=1874259&enterthread=y

Ah, I see. Well, search didn't find it, And I don't go into P&N for obvious reasons.

I don't consider this a repost.

All you ever do is troll in OT posting political and conservative bullsh!t. An Amused post almost invarriably leads to a flamefest. IMHO P&N was created specifically for people like YOU!

Your post has a number of inaccuracies.

 

[Amplifier]

maybe if he didn't hire mexicans to work there the issue would resolve itself