The Cellar - Geno's steak shop in Philly

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Geno's steak shop in Philly

Associated Press - March 19, 2008 5:13 PM ET

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Philadelphia agency has ruled that English-only signs at a famous cheesesteak shop are not discriminatory.

The Commission on Human Relations says in its Wednesday ruling that the sign at Geno's Steaks does not violate the city's Fair Practices Ordinance.

Joe Vento posted the signs at his shop in October 2005. They read "This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING 'PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH.'"

Critics allege the policy discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there. They say the signs discourage non-English speakers from going to the shop.

Vento says he has never refused service to anyone because they couldn't speak English.

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What's wrong with this picture?

Well, the sign said, "Please."

Also, it apparently does not require proper punctuation in the language of choice.

I guess if your staff only speak english it'd be pretty hard for them to take an order in another language.

If i ordered in chinese they wouldnt understand me.
If you ordered in swahili they wounldnt understand you.
If you ordered in spanish, they may not understand you.
What's the big deal?

The big deal is intelligent, non-racist, non-xenophobic, non-morons will take their business elsewhere and spread the word among their friends not to eat there.

how do you take an order for a meal from someone who doesn't speak english if that's your only language?

Part of the experience at Gen's is the way your food is ordered. If you are not familiar with Geno's, you most likely will not understand. On paper this looks like what Radar said. IMO, it is not entirely.
When you get to the window at Geno's it is customary to say something to the effect of " 2 large wiz wit" That is all. If you try to do that in any other way or language - it doesn't work and dilutes the "experience" of eating there. Its sorta like the visa check card commercials - where one guy with cash ruins the entire flow.

There is no question that the owner is upset about the influx of "immigrants" to the area and their unwillingness to learn to speak American in America.

Quote:

"Your loyalty should be to America and America only," Vento said. "All I did was quote Theodore Roosevelt, 1907."

When immigration reached a record 1,285,000 that year, President Roosevelt said: "There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room but for one language here and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality; we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."

Being the contrarian I am - How long will we still have people with a mindset from over 100 years ago?

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman (Post 440275)

When you get to the window at Geno's it is customary to say something to the effect of " 2 large wiz wit"

And what, exactly, does that get you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman (Post 440275)

"2 large wiz wit"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna (Post 440288)

And what, exactly, does that get you?

Brianna, I believe the phrase you're looking for is "too large, with jizz" ... or "two, large, with jizz" ???

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman (Post 440275)

" 2 large wiz wit"

That doesn't sound like English to me. It sounds like Geno wants everyone to speak Genoian.

Flint, just because I happen to have a healthy sex drive is no reason...did you say two? Maybe after I feel a bit better. Gimme a few more weeks.

All you need is a dose of Vitamin F. Oh, and I'll have to take your temperature with my big, pink thermometer. Say ahhh...

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman (Post 440275)

Since when to people in Philly speak English? Also, America was built by immigrants and English has never been the language of America. The guy is a moron and most likely listens to ignorant assholes like Lou Dobbs who tells lie after lie on his show and was caught doing it.

Give me a break. Step up and order your sandwich, then step aside for the next customer in line. It's like the Soup Nazi - don't disrupt the flow, just order your damn sandwich. This isn't a cultural sensitivity parade, it's a sandwich shop.

Sorry, they don't speak Swahili or Mandarin Chinese, they work at a freakin' sandwich shop. What's next, the government requires all food service workers to be fluent in every language that exists? They don't have all day to sort you out, just order your sandwich and move it along.