Well, this is just great. They can re-write and basically bastardize the National Anthem - but God forbid a business owner posts a sign saying PLEASE speak English. Seems pretty clear to me this is a first amendment issue. Only the Left doesn't want it to apply when it goes against their multiculturist nonsense.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- An English-only ordering policy at one of the city's most famous cheesesteak joints drew a warning Monday from officials who threatened to file a discrimination complaint.
The city's Commission on Human Relations planned to argue that the policy at Geno's Steaks discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there, said Rachel Lawton, acting executive director.
Geno's owner Joseph Vento posted two small signs at his shop in south Philadelphia proclaiming: "This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING 'PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH.'"
"I would say they would have to handcuff me and take me out because I'm not taking it down," Vento said.
He said no customer had ever been turned away because of the policy.
Hmmm....someone asks me a question in a language that I dont understand, so I cannot answer it. That is against the law and discriminatory?
Maybe Genos will be ordered to hire spanish speaking employees...
As the great Bob Grant said 10 years ago, "We are slipping and sliding into the third world".
Posted by: JustOneMan | Monday, June 12, 2006 at 10:17 PM
The owner of this steak house as with Pat's Steaks are true blue Americans. I can assure you this, they will not go down without a fight. I would not be shocked if they thumb their noses at any ordinance that may be ordered by the city of brotherly homicide.
In my part time job I have to deal with a lot of immigrants, my guess is most are illegal. As much as I am against the current immigration bills being proposed. I would never be rude to them. Unless of course they are rude to begin with. I go out of my way to tell them the words they are looking for. Most appreciate it.
Some see taking a stand against proposed immigration as hate. IT is not that at all.
This is America, learn the language and use it.
Posted by: SinCerely | Monday, June 12, 2006 at 10:57 PM
"Maybe Genos will be ordered to hire spanish speaking employees..."
I would fire all of employees without a last check and burn my biz to the ground. Sniping at the fire fighters to keep them at bay.
Posted by: Rick | Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 07:16 AM
I didn't realize they spoke english in "Fludowfia".
Posted by: rwilymz | Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 08:00 AM
I would fire all of employees without a last check and burn my biz to the ground. Sniping at the fire fighters to keep them at bay.
Posted by: Rick | Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 07:16 AM
LOL. Only problem is here in Philly if you witheld pay checks the owner could assume the employees would burn the place down first. And keeping the PFD at bay would mean getting your ass kicked fo sure.
Posted by: SinCerely | Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 09:06 AM
I saw the TV clip. Geno is a very successful businessman with an endearing personality. The lingo used in ordering was incomprehensible to me; I wondered what it was. But never would it get in the way of ability to order. Same for world travel at the more interesting off the tourist track places. Language is not that much a barrier. I do wonder what language is spoken in some US businesses, especially with the interesting regional dialects.
Posted by: strayze | Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 09:24 AM
Sin: I was just joshing. Guys at PFD are brothers.
Posted by: Rick | Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Viva la Geno's! learn to order or don't eat there. simple as that. if you don't like it then go somewhere else. i will eat there more due to them keeping it real!
Posted by: Bernie Tomassetti | Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 02:51 PM
"i will eat there more due to them keeping it real!"
Does this mean they don't use tofu-steak?
Posted by: rwilymz | Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 03:03 PM
I used to live by Geno's and the neighborhood is getting overrun by them, good for Geno, keep the block clean!
Posted by: Chuck | Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 04:19 PM
Wonder if this Philly "Hate Crimes" board will take the same action on a minority-owned business that refuses to serve an English-speaking customer because he doesnt speak the non-Americans "language"?
This action against Geno's is Anglophobic and Caucasiophobic.
He hasnt refused to serve people, just requires them to order in English, or seek assistance otherwise
Posted by: DoorMart | Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 10:23 PM