Philadelphia and Gino's Cheese Steaks

[Ira]

I couldn't believe this story I saw on Fox News today:

The famous Gino's has a sign by their order window that says something like, "Please order in English only"…and the city is going after them for some kind of a discrimination thing.

Have things gotten THAT retarded in this country? What are they supposed to do--have order-takers that speak 50 languages?

[Outlaw]

My nephew went to school in Philly and he said they were actually handing out t-shirts that said the same thing. They've been all over the news for some time now. Persanally, I hope they sue the city into the ground. If the PALCB allows bars to refuse service to "anyone" for no given reason, then a cheesesteak place should be allowed to do the same.

[Miriam C.]

Most food places have a numbered menu and English only shouldn't be an issue. Especially when there are lots of other places to eat.

The other side: Attempting to accommodate those who speak other languages is a courtesy that harms no one and is just plain good manners.

[Texas teardrop]

Here in Texas I order in English.. I just wish the person taking the order UNDERSTOOD English!!

[Ira]

Here in Texas I order in English.. I just wish the person taking the order UNDERSTOOD English!!

HAH!!!

And Miriam, the other side REALLY is that if you're in America, you shouldn't go up to someone babbling in Spanish and expect the person to understand. THAT'S not courteous and the restaurant isn't even barring service to anyone:

They're just saying, "Hey--you want us to understand you? Talk English." Also, the lines at Gino's are infamous, so they have to keep it MOVING.

I have a brother-in-law who used to visit me in New York, and granted, we have a lot of latinos there--but he would do this to EVERYONE until i told him to shut up unless he knew the person sopke Spanish. Talk about RUDE.

[Mike B]

We don't have that problem up here. If you try to order a hoagie at Franklin's Hoagies in some language other than English, Pauline will look at you like you're weird and make you point to what you want on the menu.



Mike
Hayden Lake, ID

[tonyj]

Here in Texas I order in English.. I just wish the person taking the order UNDERSTOOD English!!

We don't speak English in Texas. We speak Texan, y'all.

[Miriam C.]

Ira, there are people in the world who do not speak English. Travel outside the English speaking world and you will understand how wonderful it is to have someone take an extra few minutes to help you order.

It should not be against the law to have English only but it is good manners to allow visitors to feel comfortable in our country. Doesn't mean you have to speak their language just accept that it is ok for them to not speak English before they visit.

Not everyone who goes to a foreign country without speaking the language is rude.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

I've been on the other side of the fence and it can be downright frustrating and embarassing...
During our first vacation in Mexico, the toilet became plugged in our motel room.
I headed out the door of our room and TDN asked where I was going.
I told her that I was going to talk to a maid to get a toilet plunger and she said, "That won't work, they won't be able to understand you."
I thought to myself, "Haa, what are you gonna say when I come back with a plunger in hand?""
As I headed out the door I spotted a lovely young maid one floor below our room.
I walked up to her and said, "Hello, our toilet is plugged and I need a toilet plunger."
She looked at me with a perplexed look, shook her head, holding her palms upward and said. "No Comprende Senior."
It wasn't like she was unreceptive or unwilling to interact, in fact, she seemed honored that I was was talking to her, kinda like how I'd feel if a well known celebrity walked up to me and started shootin' the breeze with me, but it was obvious that she didn't understand my words.
I calmly and slowly said, "Toiiiiil-Letttt Plunn-Gerrrr."
It became obvious to me that she didn't have a clue in the world what I was trying to convey to her... So, I resorted to sign language along with my words.
Now picture in your mind what type of motion your hand makes when plunging a toilet.....
"Toiiii-Lettt Plunnn-Gerrr" (Motion, motion, motion)
"Toiiii-Lettt Plunnn-Gerrr" (Motion-motion, moition)
Her body language instantly changed from, I'd like to be able to understand you... To, Oh My Gosh!!!! This guy is propositioning me!!!

She was embarassed, I was embarassed...
TDN got a good chuckle out of it though.

[Miriam C.]

Dean there are some things that you just shouldn't try to explain in hand sign. My poor daughter in law is now on the floor laughing so hard she might hurt something.

[Hamcan]

Texas Teardrop I've had the pleasure of conversing with many Texans and I can assure you, that is not english that you speak :lol:
So I guess tonyj is right, it must be "Texan".

[Texas teardrop]

Yes, I guess you're correct.. It's "Texan" but we try to throw a little English in with it..

[BrwBier]

I was in the Army with some guys from the east coast, they didn't speak English in the first place.
Brwbier

[Ira]

Ira, there are people in the world who do not speak English. Travel outside the English speaking world and you will understand how wonderful it is to have someone take an extra few minutes to help you order.

It should not be against the law to have English only but it is good manners to allow visitors to feel comfortable in our country. Doesn't mean you have to speak their language just accept that it is ok for them to not speak English before they visit.

Not everyone who goes to a foreign country without speaking the language is rude.

If I go to Mexico, I should not expect them to speak English. If I go to China, I should not expect them to speak English. If I go to France, I should not expect them to speak English.

This is the American arrogance:

We go to a foreign country and are frustrated and disgusted that they don't speak English.

If an establishment decides to offer service in other languages, fine--but how the hell can government mandate this? And for what--Spanish only? What if the customer is Ukranian? Korean? Israeli?

Or are only SOME languages worthy of this "courtesy?"

It not only doesn't make any sense from any legal standpoint, it's totally unworkable.

And if you dig deep down into the Gino's case, I'll take a guess that anyone who complained about their policy is simply being a pain in the ass...that they can speak English in the first place...but they feel the need to somehow defend the Spanish-language heritage by refusing to speak English.

And you know...

Learning to say "Cheesesteak" in English ain't all that difficult. ANYONE can even learn to say, in English, "One, two, three."

Hell, when I was single and went to Rio, it took me just five minutes to learn to say "Where are the hookers" in Portuguese.

I hope Gino's sues the city's ass off for this one.

[Ira]

I was in the Army with some guys from the east coast, they didn't speak English in the first place.
Brwbier

Oy...Sheboygan. You got some real conservative nuts there.

One day, you'll hear my ad agency's experience with Kohler.

Talk about NAZIS!