Geno's steak shop in Philly

BrianR · 03-19-2008, 09:33 PM

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.

************

What's wrong with this picture?

HungLikeJesus · 03-19-2008, 10:02 PM

Well, the sign said, "Please."

Clodfobble · 03-19-2008, 10:15 PM

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

Aliantha · 03-19-2008, 10:26 PM

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

Ibby · 03-19-2008, 10:29 PM

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?

Radar · 03-19-2008, 11:51 PM

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.

Aliantha · 03-19-2008, 11:53 PM

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

classicman · 03-20-2008, 07:52 AM

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?

Trilby · 03-20-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

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?

Flint · 03-20-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

"2 large wiz wit"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

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" ???

glatt · 03-20-2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

" 2 large wiz wit"

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

Trilby · 03-20-2008, 09:02 AM

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.

Flint · 03-20-2008, 09:08 AM

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...

Radar · 03-20-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

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.

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

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.

Flint · 03-20-2008, 09:21 AM

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.

03-19-2008, 09:33 PM	#1
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	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. ************ What's wrong with this picture? __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

03-19-2008, 10:02 PM	#2
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Well, the sign said, "Please." __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

03-19-2008, 10:26 PM	#4
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	I guess if your staff only speak english it'd be pretty hard for them to take an order in another language. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

03-19-2008, 10:29 PM	#5
Ibby erika Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "the high up north" Posts: 6,127	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? __________________ not really back, you didn't see me, i was never here shhhhhh

03-19-2008, 11:51 PM	#6
Radar Constitutional Scholar Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 4,006	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. __________________ "I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death." - George Carlin

03-19-2008, 10:15 PM	#3
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Also, it apparently does not require proper punctuation in the language of choice.

03-19-2008, 11:53 PM	#7
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	how do you take an order for a meal from someone who doesn't speak english if that's your only language? __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

03-20-2008, 09:02 AM	#12
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	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. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

03-20-2008, 09:08 AM	#13
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	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... __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

03-20-2008, 09:21 AM	#15
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	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. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

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