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PHILADELPHIA - There’s something new on the menu at Geno’s Steaks in Philadelphia—an English-only ordering policy.
Joe Vento
Six months ago, Joseph Vento, who runs one of Philly’s most famous cheesesteak joints, posted small signs telling customers “This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ‘SPEAK ENGLISH’.” Geno’s owner however, is quick to point out that no one has ever been denied service because of an inability to speak English.
Vento says he bears no ill will toward immigrants. He says “All we’re asking them to do is learn the English language.”
While he says reaction in his restaurant has been positive, not everyone is happy with it.
One Latino advocacy group says it plans to send people to Geno’s to try to order in Spanish. Depending on what happens, the group may pursue court action.
Do you agree with Vento?
All this is really doing is throwing salt on an open wound. At a time when we don’t really need it. It doesn’t affect us in florida so whats the big deal. If he has so much business that he can be a bigot. God Bless Him. Vento Hmmmm. That sounds like an American name. Good thing his ancestors weren’t treated like this. Or maybe they were. Maybe they paid the dues so he could be a bigot. I am an Italian American who owns a small business and I’ll use sign language if I have to, to get a mans business. Regardless of their nationality.
Well, let me see, the last time I looked we were a country of immigrants. Well actually 99.9% of you came from parents/grand/greatgrandparents that were immigrants, I am native american and to take you back to reality we as a country need to be more tolerant of other cultures. Seriously, I cant believe people honestly believe some of the things they believe in. I had a co-worker ask me where I lived, she said to me, “so your Indian, so like WHERE do you live?"(as if I actually lived in a wigwam or teepee)I let her a thing or two.
I agree
If the customer can order in “sign language” (pointing at menu, simple words), they should be served.
God help us if any of us going out of our country were refused service if we could not speak their language!
You all sound ignorant. This is a smoke and mirrors’ discussion. Read and learn about the North American Union and that should answer your question as to speaking english, because in the end it will not matter. Also, please read up on the US Constitution before it gets tossed in the garbage. Remember knowledge is power.
I was in the military for over 20 years. I tried to learn to speak the language in what ever country I was in. I ate the food in all the countries I was in. I also tried to respect their culture.
Please don’t come to my country and expect it to be like home. If you want home, go back to it.
Order your cheese steak in English.
Quit insulting us!!
I am half white/half Spanish. I was born in the States so English is my language. However, I do speak some Spanish and am currently learning it better. So for all you people who don’t care to try and communicate with Spanish people, better for me! I will get more customers away from you, so thanks and keep that head in the sand! BTW--not all Spanish people are Mexican or Puerto Rican..get some education people, please!
I understand both sides. I do agree that English should be learned but it shouldn’t be the only language learned. People from Europe speak 3,4,5 languages since they border with other countries. We are a melting pot, always were, and always will be.
Many of you are so ignorant saying to learn English, and you cannot even spell correctly and most likely not speak well either. LOL “Were” is not “where” and “speak US"-what the heck is US?? That’s not a language but a place, come on people. Pot, kettle, black? Many so called American people can’t even speak proper English.
The reason is due to your ethnocentric attitudes. Seriously get your heads out of the sand and stop acting like “you are it”. The typical “ugly” American who travels abroad is disliked by many foreign countries due to this type of thinking.
Has everyone in this city gone crazy? How can so many people agree with this guy?
First, it is just stupid- he is loosing business by not serving customers. Second, what a Jerk. Someone talks another language- big deal!
People should worry about there own problems rather than some person that is talking in spanish.
I agree with Mr. Vento 100%! Next time I’m in Philly and want a cheesestake, I know where I’m going!
Anyways, I have ancestors who came from countries where English is NOT the spoken language. But did anyone here bend over backwards for them like we do for those who ONLY speak spanish? NO! They learned English just like everyone else, so why should these new wave of immigrants be treated any differently?
Oh, and to Mr.Henriquez, thanks for the laugh! That has to be one of the most ignorant and moronic statements I’ve heard in awhile.
What I find interesting is the fact that immigrants (AKA people living in America most of their lives, maybe even with AMERICAN children) are expected to assume some sort of compartmentalized assimilation role. Lady liberty now says “Please leave behind your language, religion, and cultural norms, but please bring us your cuisine, work ethic, and talent for arts, music, and sports.” I hate the fact that this country is turning against the very things that made us the greatest country in the world. This country has turned their backs on FREEDOM in favor of fascism, and are so far gone in a group think mentality that I can see wool growing on the bodies of every SUV driver in this country.
Signed,
Terrified to live anywhere near most of you.
Good for Mr. Vento. I have no problem with immigrants. For the most part, these are hard working people that are just trying to make a better life. My issue is: if you want to come to our country...especially if you are here ILLEGALLY...have some respect for the country you have chosen to live in. A very large percentage of these people don’t even have the right to be here, much less to demand the people of this country cater to their language and culture. If I snuck into another country, I would quietly try to blend in as much as possible and be thankful to the people of that country for giving me the opportunity. I’m just sick to death of the arrogance from people that are ILLEGALLY here in the first place. As for the few of these illegals out there with a plan to take over our country...good luck with that. Not gonna happen. Enough people are pissed off about this issue that a lot of politicians are going to need to change their tunes or find themselves voted out of office.
It was not so very long ago that signs in Boston read “Irish Need Not Apply”. Have we learned so little? Our great land has space, opportunity and rights for all who share her dreams.
Besides,...Pat’s Steaks are better....
Emilio and his fellow border crossing ILLEGALS, want to turn the U.S. into the same stinking cesspool they left. Most REAL immigrants come here to better themselves by becoming a PART of the greatest country on earth, not changing it into another 3rd world hellhole.
I spoke Spanish before English. When I visit my relatives in Spain, I speak Spanish instead of expecting everybody to accommodate me. It’s a sad state of affairs when the bozo’s we pay big bucks to govern have to actually DECLARE that English is the official language.
If you prefer Mexico to the U.S. wait until dark and swim back across the Rio
Adios and good riddance
If I ever visit Philly I will make it a point to give my business to Geno’s! I have also decided to BOYCOTT any company in the UNITED STATES that has Spanish anywhere on their labels or their ads. I decided to do this when I bought a can of shaving cream the other day and it was actually in Spanish primarily with English subtitles!!!! I didn’t even notice until I got home, and then just got angry.
I grew up in Miami, in a neighborhood where many people didn’t even care to learn English because they were too lazy to even bother. Last month I visited my parents and they received “El Flyer” instead of “THE FLYER” in the mail, along with the postcard advertising that day last month where the mail carriers were collecting cans over the weekend… the ENTIRE postcard from the US POSTAL SERVICE was in SPANISH with absolutely NO English whatsoever… such a shame.
We as Americans need to support people like the guy at Geno’s… we also need to encourage immigrants to learn English.
i would like to congradulate mr vento for taking a stand for himself and his buisness why shouldnt people that come from other countries learn english it is the language that everybody uses in america.he probably did it for his own good reason, you cant help a person if you dont know what they want right?but it gets tiring to hear people like emilio say things like that this is not a spanish,black,jamican,italian,french,german,indian,polish,dutch,russian,european,or white america this is a united america when people start to get that through there head i think we will all be better off by the way im puerto rican and i strongly agree that people that come to the country should learn english but this is america freedom of choice right?
when Henry Ford first started out he required his workers to speak or learn english.
Mr. Vento, Yes, it would be nice if everyone could speak English because it would be more convenient. However, that is not the case. Older adult, especially, find it more difficult to learn a new language. I personally believe it would be extremely difficult for me to learn some other language and be proficient speaking and writing it. Thank God it is not necessary for me to speak Japanese when I go to a Japanese restaurant, French when I go to a French restaurant, etc. I have admiration for anyone who can speak more than one language. I also try to kind and patient when communicating with someone who does not speak English. The spoken word is only one way of communicating. Your actions, facial expression and tone of voice speaks volumes. Lighten up and love your neighbor as he already is and you will be pleasantly surprised
I SPENT 2 1/2 YEARS IN JAPAN AND HAD TO LEARN THERE LANGUAGE OR GET NO WERE. SO IF YOU LIVE HERE LEARN MY LANGUAGE OR GET OUT.
BY ALL MEANS IF U LIVE IN THE US YOU SPEAK US OR GET OUT ( ENGLISH IS THE LANGUAGE HERE )
I think this is a GREAT ideal. More businesses here in America should enforce said method.
Der Fuhrer would be proud.
good for him. i am so tired of everyone (businesses) accomidating the spanish speaking public with aisle signs with an english word and then underneath it they put the spanish word (check out home depots aisle signs) and when i call information on my phone they say “push #1 for english”, give me a break. THEY should be the ones pressing #1, not me. this is america..english speaking. learn our language, we should not have to learn theirs.
I do, I do, I do ! I completely agree. If I went to a restaurant and tried to order in my native language, nobody woud understand me, so why should anybody expect to be able to order in Spanish ? English is the official language in this country - I had to learn it and so can everybody else who wants to live here.
For the record, I was born and raised in Poland and Polish is my first language. Rolling up your sleeves is not enough, you need to use your brain and make an effort to fit in with the new society you chose to live in.
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Posted by Glenn Hunnicutt, Tampa on 06/10 at 05:50 PM
I was born and raised in tampa,Im 50%
cuban and 50% english irish.. when my
mothers ancesters come here from cuba,they had enough respect for america to learn english and make english their language of choice..don’t like english? don’t want to learn english? go back to where you came from. This is the united states,NOT MEXICO, NOT PURTO RICO,and not cuba..respect the chosen language,or leave..