Restaurant With Speak-English Sign Wins Dispute
In Philadelphia, at least, the answer is no.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, a panel from the city's Commission on Human Relations ruled on a 2-1 vote this week that Geno's Steaks was not breaking the law when it had two signs posted at its business asking customers to speak English. "This is America — when ordering speak 'English'" says one of the signs in mostly capital letters.
In a case that had been publicized extensively by anti-illegal-immigration groups and right-wing talk radio, restaurant owner Joey Vento argued that he wasn't discriminating — only expressing a political opinion, an action protected by the First Amendment.
The city commission's panel apparently agreed. Essentially, the panel found that the signs do not have the effect of conveying that the patronage of minorities is unwelcome. There was no evidence presented at a lengthy hearing in December that Geno's had denied service to non-English speakers (who presumably couldn't read the sign anyway), and Vento testified that he doesn't and wouldn't deny service to anyone on the basis of language ability.
What do you think? Do you think that such signs discriminate against ethnic groups who speak Spanish or languages other than English? Feel free to share you views by clicking on the Comments link below.
Comments
I hope this is not a verbatim quote of the sign. It would be poor practice to bracket the word “English” in this context. I wonder if Mr. Vento speaks fluent Italian, and whether, if he did, he would be happy to serve customers who speak only Italian.
My feeling is that we are all Americans – Americans in the sense that most of us are not full-blooded anything. We tend to discriminate against those that are full-blooded-anything-unmixed. Why? Our ancestors robbed someone of their language (native Indians). Even in England, French was their official language at one point. Times change…language changes. Our language is different here than it was a couple hundred years ago. It’s not their fault that you are underequiped for business and can’t speak to those who you serve. For businesses to have someone who accepts change and serves those who speak another language is smart and professional. For a business not to do so is American and dumb. As for the non-English speakers. I think that if they want to be served in a place that speaks English, they would be wise to learn to speak English. Not all none-English speakers have had the opportunity to learn. Some are visitors. In the end, I would have to say that it is the business’s job to be professional – no matter who comes through the door.
Perhaps we have forgotten that until our country accepts any other language besides English as the official language for the United States a business or person does not have to conform beyond the scope of the English language. If the official language for the U.S. has changed then I would agree that the statement made by the restaraunt owner is without discrimination.
I love my adopted country, Costa Rica, and would never think of ordering in English. So it makes sense to order in English when you are in the States. That being said, when you are working in Miami or LA, be aware that many people do not speak English. Work with them. The tio will be better if you only say “Buenos dias…”
Context is everything. The owner in the restaurant was making a political statement, and it was done in very poor taste. Like most right-wingers of his ilk, he is not very bright, and they tend to be racist. He should have written the sign in Spanish, simply saying that only English is spoken here.
It is understandable that if you go to another country that if you want to do business there that it helps to speak the language. On the other hand, I’ve seen many times where people like him will travel to another country and expect people in that country to speak English.
A lot of people in other countries speak more than one language. Most Americans, even the current president, have a difficult time speaking only one language, and president Bush went to Harvard and Yale—go figure.
It is good business—and it makes very good sense—for people to learn the language of the persons with whom you would like to do business. Since the restaurateur in this case clearly has issues with people who don’t speak English, I would strongly recommend that people who do not like his political stance and related behavior shop somewhere else. Money talks…
Interesting that the restaurant uses the 1st amendment to defend it. Isn’t that the same amendment that would allow the people in their restaurant to speak whatever they wish?
My question is what is the restaurant’s concern with someone speaking a different language? Are they simply offended that someone would rather speak a different language than English? I hope someone can explain to me the restaurant’s concern in this situation
Having been to this establishment a few years back, one thing I noticed was that behind the ordering area there were actually a whole host of signs, all instructing the “proper” way to order.
“With” meant with onions, “Without” meant without onions. Other shorthand was offered and required… and in only a half-joking manner.
Not unlike the “Soup Nazi” from the famous Seinfeld episode, the interest was to keep the pace up and keep the line moving quickly… and this place does quite a business.
I suspect that the directive for speaking English may have been offered in this same context… and then turned into a court case.
I do not believe that the statement discriminates against ethnic groups because, as one of the previous people who commented stated, those who do not speak English could not read the signs. From what was indicated in your article those who did not speak English were not refused service.
What the statement was really all about was a business owner expressing his own frustration about his life and its shortcomings. I am a successful professional and I feel good about my life and what I have accomplished which has allowed me to move pass the struggles that most individuals face in everyday life. I am probably an enigma because I have enjoyed the friendship of hardworking Hispanic farm workers and struggling cowboys trying to make living raising cattle.
I am also a student of history and what I have learned is that one of the common themes regarding discrimination is for struggling individuals to find another group to discrimination against in order to somehow feel that their existence is better than the group that they are discriminating against. By defining another group as deficient, as in not being able to speak English, the discriminating individual somehow feels that he is better so his life must be better which inadvertently makes him feel better. This scenario has happened over and over again from the discrimination against the Irish in the East, the Chinese in the West or the African Americans throughout this nation.
The decision by the court was correct. As a society we cannot regulate against discrimination because it does not work. As a society we need to teach our young to accept others that are different from us and to appreciate the differences because it is the differences that can enrich our lives.
tamra- The US has no official language, not even English. States can declare an official language, but some states still have not, and Pennsylvania is one of them.
But yeah, it is the “de facto” language of PA and the US. I don’t think the sign should be illegal nessicarily, but it should be illegal to deny service to a non English speaker based solely on the fact they don’t speak english. Which would make the sign really, really pointless.
I also can’t stand people who are obviously the children of immigrants who weren’t native English speakers have such problems with modern immigrants. But whatever. There are lots of people like that.
I’ve been to a few different countries where I didn’t speak the language, and no one was ever rude to me because I had to point at the menu.
Hopefully the kids of the current Mexican immigrants don’t grow up to be as rude toward Italians as Vento is toward Mexicans.
And hopefully all of us have better grammar than Vento.
Thank you Vento
For doing what is right, there are many Americans on your side. I did see a interviw with Vento. His father had him learn english so he would go far in this country. There are to many of my people, being Mexican myself and learning to speak English. Not wanting or even trying to speak english. I do not see this man discriminating in any way. Starting tomorrow I will put this same sighn in my Mexican resturant hoping people will get the same message I learned. Learn English and you will go far in America. Just like Vento who went from rag to riches doing what his father wanted him to do.
In America, if you don’t like the service, you walk across the street to his competition and spend money there. Simple.
The American way! Welcome!
PS: I speak spanish, not english, when in Mexico.
As a person that speaks both languages and can proudly say, a professional interpreter, I can truly understand the frustration from both point of views. The reality is, not all of us are able to learn a different language, no matter how hard we try. I say that as a daughter from a 30 year farmworking mother that came to this country to better the lives of her daughters. I am proud to say that I am a hispanic female with a mother that can only speak her native language because her focus was working as many hours as possible in order to provide and educate her family, without any help from the government. I am very grateful of the American families in this country that have been able to assist my mother during her employment years, even though they were not able to understand each others words. Somehow, the message always got accross, without insults.
Yes, we are in America. Sometimes some people forget why we moved here in the first place.
I had the privilege of living in Spain for just over 30 Years. One thing that caught my attention was that in most of Spain people go out of their way to cater to foreigners. You only have problems with the Spanish language in regions like Catalonia and the Basque region. This happens for political reasons. In most Spanish speaking countries people go out of their way to help English speakers in their efforts to communicate. Why can’t Americans reciprocate?
The language of a country is a key part of its culture. I can synpathise with Mr Vento, as I dislike the native English-speakers who come to live here in Andalucian Spain but expect everything in English, thus eroding one of the main differences that drew them here in the first place! Multi-culturalism has, in my opinion, destroyed much of what Britain is and was. Immigrants should change to adapt to the host country, not the other way round!
It is interesting to read all of the different opinions. It is true that there is no official language of the United States. I am bilingual and have lived in both the USA and Argentina. When in Argentina, I was expected to speak Spanish. No one went out of his or her way to accomodate me with English. But I did not ask for it either. I was in a Spanish-speaking country, so I found it respectful to speak Spanish. If you come to the USA, and are respectful, you should try to learn English even though it is not the official language. It was mostly English settlers who founded this country, not Spaniards. Also, there are more than just hispanics in this country that cannot speak English very well. Have you ever been to the doctor’s office? I think I have had more Indian and Pakistani physicians than not. But I agree that it is good business to have bilingual workers available in populated areas where other languages are spoken. I do not believe that Vento is doing anything wrong by posting this sign. It is his business, and he can cater to the segment of the population he wishes. If you are offended by his sign, then do as someone else suggested and go across the street and spend your money there.
Requiring the menus be written is SPANISH or any other language is wrong since ENGLISH is the language of the USA. However, requiring that you to order in SPOKEN ENGLISH is stupid. Service should not be denied to those that don’t order in ENGLISH, but instead point at the menu or the pictures on the menu, if any. English is helpful if none of the staff speak anything else…… If any staff member speaks any other language, the sign should read “Para los que hablan espanol por favor, JOSE GARCIA esta aqui para ayudarles” or SORRY, WE HAVE NO EMPLOYEES ON DUTY THAT SPEAK ANYTHING EXCEPT ENGLISH….. Most places leave it to you the customer to figure out who speaks what…. an akward position made more akward when all of the staff speaks SPANISH and you the customer does not know it and you are not given that information in WRITING on a sign, etc…..
From a legal standpoint, I cannot argue with the court decision. The sign is not illegal or overtly discriminating, since it is not denying services to anyone. I do think that it is a tasteful sign, but I understand its purpose. When in Philly, you REALLY have to be on your toes to order a sandwich! Some establishments have lines going out the doors and around the block, and the employees are not going to wait for you! After spending a hour and a half in line, once you’re at the front you are there for 10 seconds. Like some of the other comments mentioned, there is a specific way to order a sandwich. I, speaking English, once did it wrong, and in turn I did not get what I had ordered and got fatigued looks from employees. When working that fast, workers have no time for a misspoken order in English, let alone translating from another language. In this respect the sign’s function is understandable.
When I lived in Costa Rica and in the DR, I always ordered in Spanish. Before I was fluent, many service people would make an extra effort to help me out, at least with hand motions if they did not speak English. I do not care to recount how many fellow travelers I encountered, mostly Americans, who EXPECTED them to speak English, and even expressed distain when they did not. This is crass and ignorant behavior. There should be a sign at the airport that says “This is Costa Rica – speak Spanish”.
I don’t understand why monolingual speakers of Spanish expect merchants outside the barrio to deal with them in Spanish rather than in English. The language of common discourse here is English and everyone should speak it as a second language if not their first. For the law to sanction English speakers for insisting on using their own language, our common language, instead of another tongue, to people who often have no right to be in this country in the first place is foolish, divisive and immoral.
I myself am of Puerto Rican extraction and know both languages. I also speak Italian and French and used them in those countries. I don’t force my language on foreigners in their country
First I totally agree with the sign. This is America/The United States and English is basically our language. Not English or Australian English, but US English (good or bad, it’s ours). Nothing in the sign says anyone would not be served, but that the customer should order in English. That makes sense, unless PA wants to enact a law that requires all businesses which deal with people to hire counter help, receptionists, salesmen/women who speak not only English but Spanish,Irish,German,French.,Viet Nam, Phillipine and or yes, Russian, Farzi, Arabic, Serb and heaven only knows what else to wait on those customers.
I admit I hate it when I get a machine that says to continue on in English to push “1″. I usually ask why I have to do that. Thinking I’m in America, why don’t we speak English, and I’ll gladly push another number for a different language. I get an apology and told I’m not alone, and it’s not their (whoever I’m talking to) decision. Also they have no answer for what number to push for Serb or Cantonise. They we go on with why I called.
Lastly, I do think that any one who thinks they are well educated should speak (and have some understanding of what they’re says)at least one other language. I’ve tried to learn Spanish, off and on, since 5th grade and I’m 75 years old now. I know I butcher the grammer, get the wrong verb tense and all that but I’m still trying and feel proud of myself for it.
I still think this is America and everyone, raised here or not, should speak English. Those who weren’t, should at least try. There, that’s simple isn’t it?
Don Alejandro Montez (for spanish class)
The silliest part is the “This is America” bit, which says it all.
Most likely, their Spanish speaking customers are also “Americans”, last time I had a look at an Atlas, Mexico, Nicaragua, Canada, etc were also in “America”.
Can you imagine a similar sign in, let’s say Spain saying, “This is Europe, when ordering speak Spanish”?. I can’t.
Anyway, it’s not what they say, it’s the way they say it. They are implying English is the ONLY language that should be used in America, which is something only an ignorant monolingualist would say. But, hey, everyone has the right to be a moron, so, in my opinion, they are not breaking the law, they are just racist, and it shows.
Unfortunately, there are people like them in every country, we have our own share of racists here, in Spain.
I agree with what Gerald Enrichsen said. The Spanish people can still speak their laungage but they should also learn English. It is not hard to learn. Some people that are Spanish actually learn English but some refuse to which aggravates me because i know that my ancestors had to learn English to assimilate into America and to get jobs. These people still get jobs and they don’t even know one thing about our langauge.
This is America so speak English or at least try to learn. My parents did. They wanted to be American. Yes there is no problen in knowing how to speak several langauges. When I travel I try to speak the countries native langauge. Most of the time they are glad to help me. It seems that all over the world everyone speaks English as a 2nd langauge. This is America it our 1st language. No one made any exception for the 100s of thousands of Chinesse, Germans, Greeks, Russians, ect.
If they cant read the menu……..what makes you think they can red THE SIGN??? People are idiots!! Take their money, smile and say ” see you later amigo”. I can’t wait till Geno’s Steaks can’t pay the rent and Geno stands outside wearing a sombrero begging for anyone to buy his crappy steaks.
I loved the comment about, “this is America, speak English!” Yes, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, etc. are also all a part of the north American continent. Really, was there any need for this sign other than for someone to say, “I’m racist and against the same open door immigration that let my Italian ancestors come here?”
Just a question…
if a special need person come to that restaurant and can’t speak at all…how will order? can he/she point at the menu?
God bless you all and give you the kindness to others…
Some one wrote this:
As a society we need to teach our young to accept others that are different from us and to appreciate the differences because it is the differences that can enrich our lives.
And I totally agree with that!
I agree 100% with the owner of the restaurant – SPEAK ENGLISH!!!! I wouldn’t move to another country and expect to speak English. This is AMERICA – speak English – it is our language! Don’t like it then get out! Why do we have to have signs in Spanish, we don’t have them in Polish, German, Japanese, Chinese, French, etc. for the immigrants that came over many years ago because they learned English! This PC world of ours is going to be America’s demise.
Business is business. If you want it, you’ll do whatever you need to have it, no matter what country you’re in, even if that means having bi- or multi-lingual employees at the job site.
I lived in the States and knew a lot of people who did not speak perfect English but they tried their best when ordering. If they saw somebody who looked hispanic then they would use Spanish. But they don’t EXPECT everyone to cater for them in Spanish as some of the comments above have pointed out. This is common sense. I never met anybody who went into a restaurant expecting to be served in Spanish, unless it was a hispanic restaurant.
Here in Mexico, people tend to be nice to people who don’t speak Spanish. Like I said, business is business.
If this had been a Spanish restaurant and the sign requested that one speak in Spanish, this would NEVER have become an issue. If a Nigerian restaurant and it were requested that one speak in Nigerian this would NEVER have become an issue. If a middle eastern restaurant and the sign requested that one in Arabic this NEVER would have become an issue. It is ONLY PC here to be racist if one is ANYTHING but white! ANYONE else can be racist…because we are so busy kissing butt to be PC that no white person dare complain against the multitude of racist comments and actions which white people are sbjected to ALL the time.
KUDOS to this restaurant
Well, I disagree strongly here, but it’s his right to be a racist, xenophobic buffoon. Just one thing is that English isn’t the official language of the US, but the majority of the country are monolingual English speakers (for whom I feel sorry). Also, the grand irony is that people who can’t speak English can’t read the sign.
I was born and raised American. I grew up knowing only the English Language. Immigrants were required to know the English Language to become a citizen of this Country. Back then the Immigrants really tried hard to learn because of their love for America. I can still remember an Italian apologizing because his English wasn’t so good ! So I’m figuring any Immigrant who does not speak English in pubic must be Illegal and are looking to “occupy” rather than display their Love for this country. Especially when they are going after a restaurant owner. Has anyone ever thought that someone not speaking English might have been planning to rob the place? After all no one knows what they are talking about. One of the comments I read said that he was visiting another country and couldn’t speak their language. The operative word here is “visiting”. That is most certainly understandable. He also probably had a translation book to help show what he was trying to say. I think looking outside of the box to see the whole picture is appropriate for this situation here. I also believe The New Testament has something to say about different tongues when and where proper to use. Anyway just another insight to this situation. Thank you and all the United States Military for allowing me the privilege to voice my opinion too !
Sign was offending to me, a new American citizen, to realize that a restaurant owner, whom we usually associate with good host, amicable and hopefully a “worldly” food lover had to demonstrate such poor taste! The owner was certainly Inelegant, since not unlawful.