English Only If You Want Steaks In Philadelphia

I imagine Joey's pocket will pinch him if his policy begins to cut into business, and then his "stand on principles" (I'm sure he thinks of it as such) will fall victim to his love of money.

Joey, whose forebears came from Italy has forgotten who he is.

I visit Mexico twice each year. And at most of the restaurants I go to the employees only speak Spanish.

What's up with that? Are they racist? Do they not want anyone without brown skin to eat there?

No. The language of their country is Spanish. My guess is that they will serve anyone of any skin color as long as they speak the language of their country.

I respect their country and have learned enough Spanish to order a meal. I've never expected them to learn my native language so I can eat.

It's a matter of respect.

Rick is totally right

Yea well you had the chance to learn - now adays it takes time and money people don't have Rick - it's just stupid.

I hope this place goes out of business.

Fortunately, there are plenty of other great places to have a philly cheese steak that don't have such discriminatory rules.

I suppose they made this rule because of immigrants who can't speak English well enough to order in English yet (which is wrong too)- but what about tourists? Philadelphia gets many tourists from other countries who might want to sample a famous cheese steak.

What an ignorant thing for this place to do.

It's Joey's business...he has the right to run it any way he wants. Just because he won't serve unless ordered in English doesn't mean he's racist...he's pro-American. Blacks speaks English and I'm sure he serves them. Those from the Orient, Middle East and of Hispanic backgrounds also know English and I'm sure he serves them. I have been to Geno's when my best friend and I vacationed in Philadelphia during the city's Fourth of July observance/celebration in 2005...and it's funny because I saw people of various skin colors eating there...after ordering in English! His business will NOT suffer at all because of his decision. As a matter of fact, because of his policy, more will go there to eat...and all the publicity Geno's receives just helps to increase his profits. It's all about American pride!

Plus if you don't speak english how can you read a sign that says English only?! How stupid is that?!

How stupid can non-English speaking people coming to America be? There's an old saying, "When in Rome..."

It's hard enough to get food there if you speak Philly.

Get over yourselves.
This is not racist as Rob pointed out so elegantly.

Ghostly Ghoul,

It doesn't cost anything to learn the language of the country you're in. I learned in Mexico by paying attention and trying. It didn't cost anything.

They didn't have signs that said I had to order in Spanish. They just walked away if they couldn't figure out what I wanted.

I never once wished these people to lose their livelihood because they couldn't speak my language. Why would I want someone's family to go hungry because they didn't speak a foreign language? That would be mean-spirited and egocentric!

How many foreign languages should we require business owners to learn, anyway?

I hate the fact that our government has let in 20 to 30 million illegal immigrants, but this is stupid! So he won't serve a legal immigrant who does not speak English? I would be okay if he required proof of citizenship or proof of being here legally!

I've thought this over and I've changed my mind.

If this guy doesn't learn French, German, Portuguese, Tagalog, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Finnish, Swedish, Hebrew, Dutch, Svengali, Russian, and Japanese I hope the racist S.O.B. goes out of business and his family starves to death! He deserves it!

The nerve of him thinking he has any right to run a business in the U.S.A. only knowing the language of his native land!

PC runamok on this page. It is not only reasonable, but obvious that this is not a big deal. Like Rob says, if you're in Rome, do you order in English? Not hardly. There is no reason to cater to foreign language clientel, unless you wish to.

I think if you have good old fashioned American money to spend, you shouldn't be turned down just because you can't speak the language well. As long as you can point to the item on the menu and hold up an appropriate amount of money, where's the problem?

I recently purchased something in Chinatown in Philly. I didn't speak any Chinese. The owner of the shop was an old Chinese man who didn't speak English. I held up the items I was interested in and asked "How much" and he held up his fingers to indicate how many dollars. A few minutes later, I was the proud owner of a very lovely carved wooden bracelet.

I didn't feel any anger towards him for not speaking English. My ancestors came over from Italy and didn't know any English at all until when they first came over, and they were still served in neighborhood stores. I'm pretty certain that the man putting up that sign has at least one ancestor that came over on a boat one-or-two generations ago. He should be more understanding.

What if someone can't speak English because they are mute and only do sign language ? Does that mean no steak for them, either?

Oh, Rick, that was a real about face! As a minority, I definitely believe in "different strokes for different folks." (I know, Sly said it better!) But the issue is there's a policy at this restaurant. The real question is it discriminatory.

I went to Monteal years back, and believe it or not, there are (were) sections of Montreal that didn't speak English. Before we ride another bandwagon, lets let Joey keep his policy ( it may like someone said, cost him some business). And, I be willing to bet that there's more than one steak restaurant in Philly!

This is a toughie - only in that so many people make it out to be a RACE issue when it's not [sorry my brother Juan], it's called common courtesy, and as someone else pointed out "When in Rome - Do as the Romans DO" and "When in America do as Americans DO: Speak ENGLISH", and correctly at that, but unfortunately that WOULD be asking too much.

So suffice to say, if you can say Steak in English, you'll be served regardless of what color your skin is.

It also shows a total lack of respect for the country and it's people when you REFUSE to learn the language, I mean ~ come on, since when are foreign flags allowed to fly OVER the country's own flag and since when can you fly a Mexican flag or an Arab flag next to an UPSIDE DOWN American flag - it has gone to far in DISRESPECTING us as Americans and our country.

So tell me what exactly is it our guys are fighting for over there in Iraq - certainly NOT for this rude and disrespectful behaviour from foreign people who get their kicks out of screaming racist if you make them show some respect!

These foreigners [legal or Illegal] would ask no less in their country, as a matter of fact, in their country an American doing this, would be hung or decapitated for being disrespectful.....BUT....what do WE here do; we cater to them and hope they don't scream racist, and then have our own courts agree with them, thus fining or jailing Americans.... for what?! BEING AMERICAN! *SIGH*

I'm Native American, and proud of that fact and I also speak English so if I can do it - anyone can and they should be made to do it, too. jmho. As for those who are against Joey and his policy by screaming "what let them go hungry, just because they can't say steak in English!"

Fools Please. There are many other places that will willingly take their money and most of those speak their language too - so NO ONE is going to starve to death - not in America ~ if you're NOT American, anyway.

I say props to Joey and wish others would follow suit, then maybe we can start to SOUND like we're IN America again.

This has nothing to do with free trade and enterprise. I am a businessman myself and believe in a free market, but that does not mean I also believe in discriminating against a certain group of customers because they do not look sound or think like me.

What is next, will Geno's owner suddenly decide that he does not want any Catholics to eat at his establishment or perhaps like someone mentioned earlier he will not sell to anyone who uses sign language? Discrimination is discrimination no matter how if you wrap it up in the Red White and Blue of so-called patriotism.

I have been to Monterrey and Mexico City on business and pleasure on several occasions and it never fails to see a fellow American get agitated because the waiter or sales clerk does not speak English. What would happen if these individuals refused to service or sell to any language challenged American? Knowing the elitist mindset of most Americans, there would probably be some sort of international incident.

One last note and fact : Not all non English speaking individuals in America are illegal immigrants.

As far as to why we are in Iraq, there are many reasons, politics, oil, and justice, just to name a few. But one thing is for sure, it is not to fight for the right to discriminate against non-English speaking people.

I have traveled the world and lived in Japan. I am sorry, but Japanese is not easy to learn to speak and I was in the Navy and living on base, working odd hours, and didn't feel the necessity to go to nightly classes to learn the language. I was thrilled whenever I did learn a simple word and so where the Japanese that I encountered. If they wouldn't serve me and really anyone who was in the military in that area, their businesses would have suffered. We spent a lot of money there! Not all non-English people in the US actually live here. We also receive tourists from all over the world. It would sad to expect them to speak English (even though many actually do) so they can get a meal or buy souveniors (and I can't spell that word. Never could.)

Fact : Not all non English speaking individuals in America are illegal immigrants.

If he wants to do it and can still be successful with his business, why not? It might not be PC and it might cost him some customers, but at least he will get the orders right!

" If this guy doesn't learn French, German, Portuguese, Tagalog, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Finnish, Swedish, Hebrew, Dutch, Svengali, Russian, and Japanese "

I think that Rick's comment that I quoted pretty much sums it all up, but I'm sure that Juan thinks that Joey should have to learn all of those languages.

So the restaurant will not serve German tourists, Italian tourists, Polish tourists,etc.? If he picks and chooses what language to order is acceptable THAT would be discrimination.
From a business stand point it is a great way to get free press. Nonetheless it is ignorant.

Ignorant indeed!

Hmmmmm.....my thinking is that perhaps this is not really a policy problem as much as it is a problem of presentation. in my "give-them-the-benefit-of-the-doubt" way of thinking, my first gut reaction would be disappointment. Then thinking it over, I could see another possibility. If I, a non-French speaking individual, went to France, I would like to know if I went into a French restaurant where none of the staff could speak English about that. Perhaps, he intended to present it this way. "No one speaks anything but English here. Please speak English."

In my experience, policies like this are usually reactions to some kind of event that was a bad experience for them. The policy sounds ambiguous and probably could have been worded more tactfully. Suppose, this business was sued because a patron could not get their point across to order. Ordering some meals is slightly more complex than buying something in Chinatown that you can point to. Especially if you couldn't read the menu.

All I am saying is that this could have possibly been a "foot in the mouth" situation, or a way to save the ownder's skins after losing their shirt in another situation. I do try to walk a mile in another's moccasins before coming to any conclusion about that path.

Let's face it; we all react to events inappropriately from time to time.




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My question is it only Spanish speaking individuals he will not serve or will other languages be included in his English only policy? If a tourist from some of the countries mention in the above comments, such as Germany, France or Japan also be denied and refused services?

Juan......If the owner of the restaurant had a sign telling customers that they must order in English, just how would non-English speakers be offended by that since they can't speak English or read in English? just askin'

There is a government program in every state to teach people English as a second language. Before I went to Europe I learned enough French to get by, only to find I needed a bit of German too. I'm not asking that they learn fluent English, but it takes very few brain cells to learn the basics.
That said, it is wrong to deny service from someone just because they don't speak English. Though in many places I've been if you don't speak their language you never know what you'll get.
My complaint is they come here then expect us to learn their language.

What's next? Perhaps the local grocer, will now find acceptable to refuse service to all Spanish-speaking people, the local Doctor's office can now deny aid to any non English-speaking people in the need of medical help.

The point is, it should go against everyone's sense of morality to accept blatant bigotry and discrimination against a person, solely based on his or hers inability to speak English, whether it is through a conscious decision or not.

Juan my brother ~ I love your passion, but you're still wrong.

It is NOT only Spanish-speaking people he is denying services to, it is anyone who does not speak English. Be you Irish, German, Cuban, Russian etc....I get the feeling that you think he only discriminates against Latins, or "spanish-speaking" people.

IF he singles out one group of people to not serve then you have a point, but if he does it to everyone that refuses to speak English then that's his right as a business owner, that doesn't make him a racist, it makes him [maybe] insensitive, silly, UPC, or plain mean-spirited but not a racist.

I for one demand that anyone who dispenses my medications or medical care speak coherent English, why should I expect anything less, from someone who is fixing my food that will go in my mouth, or worse from someone ordering something from my eatery, me NOT understanding them and giving them something they are allergic to, then have them end up suing me or worse suffering an allergic reaction that ends in death, for serving them something they tried to ask me not to in their own language; a language that I did not understand. And as someone else pointed out, it's NOT that difficult to learn the basics, many Mexicans do that via TV and Sesame Street [or so I've been told] so why can't everyone else also?!

Why are they SO adamant against learning the basics - talk about being disrespectful, or eccocentristic towards US and our lanaguage.

Kitty, I do and have always felt anyone who does not learn English does a disservice to him or herself and to any other immigrants seeking a place in this great country of ours.

However, I also believe and have a problem with any individual or group that seeks to discriminate against anyone regardless how intellectual sound that discrimination might sound. Refusing service to someone because they do not speak English is the same as refusing service to someone simply because he or she is the wrong color, ethnicity or religion, those are things in our history and something we should never return to.

Lastly discriminating policies such as this one are seldom enforced fairly across the wide spectrum that makes up the human race.

This is very sad, even in this modern world, certain individuals are thinking of discrimination. If similar act would be done by any other ethnic group, i guess that would be penalized or at least that would have been forced to refrain.

Anyway, there must be a law against those who try not to cooperate with other ethnic groups.

Thanks

g-phabet The New Alphabet

I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to many other countries and each and every one it is the same. There is the expectation that you at least make the attempt to learn and speak a little of their language. Why should this country be any different?

With all the strides we have gained in race relationship in this great country, there is still a great deal with have to learn. I wrote some time back an article in which I explained the shift of certain hate groups and individuals, from overt racism towards persona of color to slightly more acceptable bigotry such as ethnicity, religion and immigration status. The fact that the numbers of hate groups is again on the rise and their same old rhetoric aimed at now the immigration issue gives comfort and a meeting of the minds with ordinary citizens, whom otherwise would not even be attracted to the likes of such groups.

This is an exceedingly popular restaurant with takeout lines out the door.
The owner said one of the reasons he insists on English only is to quicken the
line. He doesn't seem to give a flying rat's behind for the racial makeup of his
customers. He is also proud to be an American and believes immigrants (of which he
is proud to claim as family) should learn the language of their nation. I heard him
speak on the radio, he is not a racist of any sort.

I totaly agree with this owner. I used to work in a sporting goods store that was right next to a Latino Market. Many of them came into the store and it was so frustrating trying to communicate with them. Some of them could not say anything in English. I am an American teenager who has 3 years of Spanish and I think it is weird that they come into my country and i have to learn their language to communicate with them. I think all immigrants need to learn our language. I learn their so when I visit their countries I can speak their language I would expect them to do the same in my country. It would make day to day life a lot easier if everyone spoke the same language.

i say go joey. if u cant speak english then why should i waste my time tryin to understand people who dont. i dont have any problem with any ethnicitys but its his shop, hes livin his dream and he can do watever he wants because its his!

Perhaps he can expand his prohibition of not selling to Hispanics to blacks, Italians, Jews and so on and so on.

I say organize hundreds of people to go in and speak French, German, Sweedish, Italian...I would love to show up and order in French. If I saw that sign, I wouldn't give that person one cent of my money!