According to a new ruling by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, businesses are allowed to post signs insisting that customers speak English. They ruled that Geno's Steaks restaurant that placed a sign informing customers, "This is America. When ordering speak English," had done nothing to violate discrimination rules.
The sign inspired a larger debate about immigration and freedom of speech. The owner of the restaurant said his right to free speech had been violated by the complaint. The commission ruled that since the sign did not say that non-English speaking diners would be refused service, the restaurant owner was within his rights.
Geno's Steaks is one of Philly's most famous cheese steak shops — and apparently even if you're ordering in English, there's a protocol:
Be prepared and know how to order, because the service is fast and the line keeps moving. For example, on a cheese steak with onions specify which kind of cheese you'd like (Provolone, American or Cheese [sic] Whiz.)
I don't know, I'm a little skeptical that "Cheez Whiz" counts as an English word.
Do you agree with the commission's ruling? Is posting this sign within the rights of a business owner?
Acne Jeans
Conservative Sugar strikes again! Good job, 3M.
1I do love that, "You're right. Cheez Whiz is not English," is an option!
2Well, if you don't have any employees that speak languages other than English what are you supposed to do? I do think the sign was a little rude, but you can't require someone to hire employees who speak every possible language so a sign informing people of that fact is well within rights.
3well...if you cant speak english, then you cant read the sign. So who is really offended in this situation?
4Good points, 2M and Agymgirl.
5Oh good lord, I don't know why anybody would expect to walk into a restaurant in America and order in a language besides English. Aside from border state establishments, or certain neighborhoods, it seems like all you'd get is a blank look.
6I wouldn't get pissed off and put up a sign though. I'd just say "I don't understand you" and move on to the next customer. Everybody just needs to get over it!!!
and when you move to another country, it's kind of in your best interest to learn the language. seriously.
Hmmm. Not sure where I stand on this. I do think that it if a business owner wants to make their own standards and possibly limit their business that is their right. However, where do we draw the line with this type of thing? What about tourism?
7Nice points ladies!
It really bothers me when the government tells someone how they can run their business.
This really strikes me in a similar manner to the smoking bans. I am an ex-smoker and I remember when you Dunkin Donuts went smoke free. It blew my mind that a place that serves coffee and dounts was worried about the health effects of smoking, but it was their business and I could respect their decision.
On the other hand, it really bothers me that the government has banned smoking within establishments like bars and restaurants. I am not particularly found of people smoking in either of these places because it gets pretty nasty, but I still feel it should be the right of the owner of the establishment to decide whether or not it should be allowed, not the government.
8In Miami there are many businesses that will have nothing to do with you if you don't speak Spanish. I can communicate in them but won't patronize them any further if they are discriminatory. I think businesses can have this restriction because you know if you are welcomed in a place or not, and if you aren't they don't deserve your money anyway.
9Exactly, kia. If you don't like the sign, don't get a cheesesteak from there. Is it really that difficult?
10I take issue with the misuse of quotation marks. They do not denote emphasis!
11I'm not offended by their sign, and I certainly think they have a right. But the attitude itself would probably make me keep walking on past their window. All it says to me is that they aren't very patient! Probably one of those places where they get impatient if you stop to consider the menu. screw that. I don't need an order of stress for lunch.
12They do get a little impatient, but Geno's cheesesteaks are so good, it's worth it. I think it kind of adds to the atmosphere of the place. (And lessens the typically long wait in line.)
13"Probably one of those places where they get impatient if you stop to consider the menu." - They are, and during the times of the year when the weather is nice the line can stretch for an hour or so.
Also, it is South Philly....
14Nice post.
I think the Business Owner has the right to make this type of request. I am sure it is very frustrating to have to deal with during busy times. On the flipside I hate being a customer and not being able to understand what the folks that work there are saying.
15And yum
cheesesteaks.......
16Ha! Jude C, MVP of the day. I didn't even notice the quotation marks on the sign! Funny
17Well it appears that Mr.Geno had practical motives, but by using the chosen sign he did nothing more than express cultural intolerance.
I can certainly understand from a practical point of view how the most clear line of communication possible in a business that requires the up most standard of efficiency is desired.
That having been said Philadelphia is a large tourist attraction. Not only is he eliminating some of his local clientele the word of this sign and it's cultural intolerance will reach across the oceans and over the plains to our foreign neighbors and I am sure that some who had planned to visit Philadelphia will now choose to visit else where taking away money from the local economy. A perfect example of the ripple effect.
I'm not going to second guys Geno's motives for using this sign. They could be just a bunch of old fashioned sarcastic Philly wise guys or they could hold deep rooted cultural intolerance either way it was a really dumb decision.
18I have been in businesses/restaurants where they prefer you to speak their native language (Chinese, Spanish, etc) it doesn’t bother me at all. I have also been to other countries where they cannot understand English so we had to mime our way through an order, and I wish I could communicate better! If you live here, and you don’t know rudimentary English and cannot order the food you want, than learn it! Geno’s has every right, being a busy place, to demand the customers know the menu in English they DO NOT have time to hold hands through that process!!
19What bothers me the most is the use of the word "America".
20I'm surprised at those poll results, I thought more people would take issue with it.
If we established english as the official national language, we wouldn't need signs like those...
I can understand the tourism angle, but I don't think one business will ruin the reputation of the entire city.
21Are you Canadian, finnlover, or just annoyed that people in the U.S. act like "America" is theirs? (I only ask because I know that this particularly annoys Canadians, although I'm sure it annoys Central and South Americans, as well.)
22"On the other hand, it really bothers me that the government has banned smoking within establishments like bars and restaurants. I am not particularly found of people smoking in either of these places because it gets pretty nasty, but I still feel it should be the right of the owner of the establishment to decide whether or not it should be allowed, not the government."
I agree!
23Thats a good question lilkim, I met someone from Canada who felt that way, annoyed that people from the States act like they own America 100%.
I can see their point.
24Haha Jill and 3M... Yea I don't agree with the principle, but I did like the practice! Now that I live in a state where you can smoke in restaurants and bars, I get super annoyed with the smoke and want to leave....
If it were up to me there'd be a family section and a no kids section in restaurants, but I guess I'm just old and crabby
25Hey Jillness, I'll buy you a drink, but I do prefer if the bar is smoke-free.
26"If it were up to me there'd be a family section and a no kids section in restaurants, but I guess I'm just old and crabby" -
27I completely agree with you FinnLover. The phrase "This Is America" in this context is outrageous and unnecessary and again emphasises cultural intolerance.
I think everyone here can agree on two points. 1. Geno's could have been a hundred times more diplomatic in making their point. 2. They have every right under the law to post that sign and suffer the consequences of such a decision.
On a side note to lilkimbo & FinnLover in particular. Let's not forget that there are two Americas. One is a continent and one is a country. If people don't understand when a U.S. citizen says this is America on U.S. soil that their referring to the country and not the continent than I would kindly point out the difference.
28Cabaker I soooo wish there were a kid free section. I HATE kids running around when I eat. CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!
On the topic, his restaurant, he can do as he pleases. And he said that he never refused service to anyone, so it was a public statement. I am so sick of people wanting the government to rule everyones lives and make up peoples opinions.
29cabaker--I'd totally go to a restaurant with a "no kids" section! That's why I like eating at pubs!
Citizen--that's one of my grammatical pet peeves.
30"I think everyone here can agree on two points.
1. Geno's could have been a hundred times more diplomatic in making their point." - Yes, but it is very characteristic of the neighborhood and city. (I'm a former Philly resident.)
"2. They have every right under the law to post that sign and suffer the consequences of such a decision." - Completely agree, they have the right to post and the right to whatever the results may be (as long as not legal, in my opinion.)
31Jude, exactly! When we go out to eat we pretty much stick to fine dining because there arent any kids there... But sometimes you just wanna hit up the Olive Garden or get a burger somewhere and have it be fairly quiet, I mean, at least quiet enough to hear the person you're talking to!
I wonder as our demographics change and people have fewer children (or none at all) if that "family section" of the restaurant idea will take off...?
hmm...
32It's ironic that they fail to use proper grammar when demanding English. There is a website dedicated to the gross misuse of quotation marks....I think this is perfect. =p
33MissPriss, I've seen that website, its hysterical!
Here's the blog for those of "you" who haven't "seen" it:
34http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/
So what would happen to customers from Australia, England, India, Jamaica, etc? They all speak English, but it is very different from American English.
35No Philly Accent = No Philly Cheesesteak
36I like the "family section" idea, as well. I typically just go out later at night to eat because there will be fewer children there. (And because I usually eat late anyway.)
37That website cracked me up! Thanks for the "links"!
38misswills--I doubt that staff at that restaurant care about accents, as long as the customers make themselves understood and ordered promptly?
39America has no official language - not even English. The majority of this country speaks English, but most ethnic groups within our nation speak their own tongue as well. I think this guy's an effing jerk, and it's a stupid idea so far as his business goes, but he can do what he wants - no matter how close minded it is.
40well there are two different issues here.
first there is the language. it's fine. there is a gas station around here in nj that says "We speak english here" under their prices because so many gas stations have attendants who don't ((all gas stations are full serve in nj)).
second, there is the ordering process. this in itself is its own language. Geno's Steaks is a specialized place. There are tons of other places like this where there is a special "language" to ordering.
like, this little hot dog stand I go to, just say "3 with everything and a thick black and white". that will give you three hotdogs with onions, ketchup and a pickle and a thick vanilla/chocolate milkshake. sure you can say all that, but the guy working there will give you a little look or something.
meh, get over it.
41America is a continent. Cubans are americans, argentinians are americans, belizeans are americans. So gringos please, get over yourselves.
42Tidalwave, when I order up some "Hot Texas Weiners" my order is " 1 dog sauce, 1 all the way, rings with sauce and a vanilla shake."
43surrrre thats what it means M3
if you say so...
44"America is a continent. Cubans are americans, argentinians are americans, belizeans are americans. So gringos please, get over yourselves."
That is one of the most hateful things I have every read on Citizen! Congrats on the honor.
Actually, North America is a continent. South America is a continent. There is no continent that is simply called "America".
Remember, it is "the United States of America". US citizens use "America" as an abbreviation, as do many people in the world when they refer to "Americans" they are referring to us. Sounds like you have some things you need to get over. It isn't a diss, it is just an abbreviation.
45With all do respect gabiushka I don't think you get it, when we refer to America we are referring to our country. The name of our country is American, just like China is called China etc. You can't attack us for referring to us by our own name. We are very well aware of the fact that we are referring to ourselves when we say this and not referring to Mexico, Brazil, Canada etc.
46Excuse me typo America not American in my above rebuttal.
47Yes, I am Canadian.
French Canadian to be more exact.
48It does annoy me that some people call the USA "America". I mean, isn't it the United States OF America ?!? Just like the European Union does not include all countries in Europe.
I mean, Quebec City, which is where I live, is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year. Also, the oldest known settlement anywhere in The Americas built by Europeans is in Newfoundland. I totally feel like I live in America too. I'm just not American. But I'm North American. Americans can keep saying they're from America, because it is true, but I'm just annoyed when they use the term when referring to the country. And not only Canadians feel that way. Oh, and by the way, I like Americans. Don't get me wrong!
I am going to go around calling everyone gringos today, love it.
49I am from North America. I am American. FinnLover is from North America, they are Canadian. I am not Canadian. FinnLover is not American.
Yes, someone from Sweden is European. Yes, someone from France is European. But a French person is not Swedish, and a Swedish person is not French!
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