Philadelphia's Geno's Steaks Adopts English-Only Ordering Policy

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

You know, I live in LA and probably never encounter Latino/Hispanic people who don't speak English. I really just don't blieve people ordering in another language was such a problem some cheesesteak joint in Philly had to put a sign up.

I have lived and worked in a place where I didn't speak the language very well (practically at all) - it's hard and a lot different from just travelling somewhere. I am forever grateful to the shopkeepers in my local area for being so gracious and not putting up signs telling me to leave,.

[ChristinaM 0]

Nobody's saying "leave"! They're just saying "TRY".

[irishgirl73 0]

It isn't like the government implemented this rule. It is one guy who can make whatever statement he wants in his own shop. If people get offended, they can go order a cheesesteak in whatever language they like at the place down the street.

Maybe cuz I am from Quebec, language and signs and rules are water off a duck's back to me. Someone tried to get into an argument with me once because the new Xerox machine was set to English and not French! And this was in an English university!

If I am hungry enough, I will order the sandwich in whatever language the shop wants, especially if they will coach me. I just don't see the big deal.

People can actually walk about 20-30 feet and order a cheesesteak from "pat's". It really isn't a big deal. I don't even think he HAS refused to serve anyone-he was just getting annoyed that people don't know how to speak english-at all! I mean not one word. How can you order food-and hold up a line of people if you don't speak the language? It is annoying.

learn freaking english or don't order a f%cking cheesesteak!

I should also point out that in downtown Philly there are loads of asian stores that have signs in their language NOT ours.(also goes for Hispanic stores) If we wanted something we would have to know how to order it. People should learn English-fair is fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I didn't speak English I would learn because trust me the sandwiches are well worth it

[Traviesa 0]

I have worked in several food service establishments, and have never in my life encountered someone actually ordering in another language. They may point and not say anything, but they never have spoken to me in another language. I'm not sure exactly how much that actually happens.

On another point, I found exactly the opposite of what someone else has said, in that a surprising number of Mexicans in Mexico actually do speak some English, and for the most part, are quite happy for the chance to practice with me. I must also be one of those "bad" Americans, because when I've been to Mexico I've actually spoken very little Spanish, either allowing Javier to talk for me or gesturing and pointing, even if I know the words. It can be a stressful situation, and frankly, I'd rather say nothing than say the wrong thing and look like an idiot.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Can anyone say publicity stunt? Umm, a sign in english benefits non english speakers how?

Boy am I glad that restraunteurs in Egypt were very patient with my non arabic speaking abilities and were happy to accomidate my point and nod approach to shopping, even in smaller towns where they never see tourists or non arabic speakers.

[irishgirl73 0]

Nobody's saying "leave"! They're just saying "TRY".

true

I have worked in several food service establishments, and have never in my life encountered someone actually ordering in another language. They may point and not say anything, but they never have spoken to me in another language. I'm not sure exactly how much that actually happens.

On another point, I found exactly the opposite of what someone else has said, in that a surprising number of Mexicans in Mexico actually do speak some English, and for the most part, are quite happy for the chance to practice with me. I must also be one of those "bad" Americans, because when I've been to Mexico I've actually spoken very little Spanish, either allowing Javier to talk for me or gesturing and pointing, even if I know the words. It can be a stressful situation, and frankly, I'd rather say nothing than say the wrong thing and look like an idiot.

I must have been in a different part of Mexico-the only thing I could say and be understood was corona or tequilla..............maybe that is why I drank so much

there were people that could speak a little english-but when I went into a business to "buy" something, I had to speak spanish(poor spanish-but I made the effort). I did look like a complete idiot-I thought I was asking "how much?" and I kept asking "what's up?" my friends still laugh about that

Edited June 13, 2006 by irishgirl73

[CarolineM 0]

In France once I was asking directions by repeating over and over...where is here?

Oops AT least I TRIED

[irishgirl73 0]

In France once I was asking directions by repeating over and over...where is here?

Oops AT least I TRIED

That is the point-we TRIED

some of these people are not even trying-as I said before..............when in Rome! If I lived in another country-I would have to learn their language. If you live in America-learn to speak English.

[almaty 19]

Can anyone say publicity stunt? Umm, a sign in english benefits non english speakers how?

Boy am I glad that restraunteurs in Egypt were very patient with my non arabic speaking abilities and were happy to accomidate my point and nod approach to shopping, even in smaller towns where they never see tourists or non arabic speakers.

i agree..it is a publicity stunt and it worked

[Jenn! 918]

In France once I was asking directions by repeating over and over...where is here?

Oops AT least I TRIED

That is the point-we TRIED

some of these people are not even trying-as I said before..............when in Rome! If I lived in another country-I would have to learn their language. If you live in America-learn to speak English.

I don't think there's really such a thing as A for effort in this case. Isn't the point of speaking English in America that you are able to function in society? Should it really make any difference if you're "trying" but just can't do it?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I have never, EVER encountered an immigrant in this country not at least trying to speak English -- I have often seen their efforts laughed at however.

[Fischkoepfin 1]

You know, I live in LA and probably never encounter Latino/Hispanic people who don't speak English. I really just don't blieve people ordering in another language was such a problem some cheesesteak joint in Philly had to put a sign up.

I have lived and worked in a place where I didn't speak the language very well (practically at all) - it's hard and a lot different from just travelling somewhere. I am forever grateful to the shopkeepers in my local area for being so gracious and not putting up signs telling me to leave,.

Same here. When I was in Turkey a few weeks ago, I was more than glad that most people spoke English or German because if I had to get along in Turkish I would have terribly failed. Same goes for Russia which I visited last summer. Even in Holland, where I'm somewhat familiar with the language and can at least get my point across, I would be lost if they had "only-Dutch spoken" signs (as would most other people visiting the country).

I have never met an immigrant who did not try and learn the language even though I've met several people who had an incredibly hard time, especially with speaking. Putting up signs like that is pointless and insulting.

[Elizabethnhenry 0]

So even tourists who don't speak English well won't get served?

I wonder how the anglophone world would react if a bistro in Paris had a sign reading "c'est la France - parlent français" -- even the french aren't that bad though

I was gonna say I agree with the rest, but after reading your post, I agree with you

Maybe this works for Philly. Could not fly in New York, because of the non english speaking tourists. At least twice a week I give someone directions in Spanish or German. If Geno's can afford to lose the non-english speaking dollars, more power to em. We should not be eating at Geno's anyway - heart attack on a plate.

In France once I was asking directions by repeating over and over...where is here?

Oops AT least I TRIED

That is the point-we TRIED

some of these people are not even trying-as I said before..............when in Rome! If I lived in another country-I would have to learn their language. If you live in America-learn to speak English.

I don't think there's really such a thing as A for effort in this case. Isn't the point of speaking English in America that you are able to function in society? Should it really make any difference if you're "trying" but just can't do it?

speaking of trying, when I was in france, an american guy kept screaming "IN MY BUTT! IN MY BUTT!!!" After a few and , my german friend asked him what are you trying to say. He said "these people need to get behind me (in the line); they are trying to skip me, so I am telling them "get behind me"." We gave him an A for effort and the comedy.

Edited June 13, 2006 by Elizabethnhenry

[Reba 2]

Would anyone here go and live in Mexico and expect to get by without ever knowing how to say "please", "thank you", "I'd like..." and the names of key items in Spanish? Or live in Quebec and not learn French?

that's the difference with Canadian immigration tho. If you want to move to Quebec from some other country, you must be proficient in French. Same if you want citizenship in any of the other provinces, you must be proficient in English. Anyone under the age of retirement is required to be proficient in at least one of Canada's official languages. If you're over the age of retirement, then its optional because they know its more difficult to learn a new language later in life.

Here is useful information about becoming a Canadian citizen. Read this page to decide if you are ready to take this step.

To become a Canadian citizen, you must:

be 18 years of age or older;

be a permanent resident of Canada;

have lived in Canada for at least three of the four years before applying;

be able to communicate in either English or French;

know about Canada; and

know about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship

this of course doesn't cover the illegals, refugee claimants, and tourists, but anyone who is applying for residency and citizenship to Canada, has to know at least one of our languages. And you won't be approved to move to Quebec if you don't know French.

I don't think that US immigration has any such requirement. Maybe they should.

I DO get Spanish speakers in the pizza shop who don't speak any English trying to order pizza. I don't speak Spanish, but I keep thinking I need to just to speed up the process, its rather frustrating. I don't mind tho, I want to learn Spanish.

But of course if we stuck a sign up "English Only" we'd get fired

[*Robert* 2]

It's not the speaking of a foreign language that's the problem as much as the unwillingness to learn English and assimilate. The article also says that no one would be turned away for not being able to order in English, and that they coached some non-English speakers through the process.

The French don't respond too well to tourists who just speak English louder and slower. They understand fine, but they don't like the attitude.

Bingo! Totally agree with that!