Metro Atlanta Publix to have signs in Spanish. Debate... (Norcross: Home Depot, living in)

[atlantagreg30127]

Ok, first before I post the story link, let me just say that it's a good topic for debate, BUT, if people get out of hand, it'll be shut down. The terms of service for the site are still in effect here. Voice your opinion, but keep it civil.

The topic: A Publix grocery store in Norcross is now adding 1500 Spanish items to their shelves, and the store signage will now all be in English and Spanish.

Their argument: 50% of their local customers are Hispanic. Other arguments: It's an insult to Americans and causes Spanish immigrants here to not have to learn the language when you cater via signs, etc. Debate it and once again, keep it civil and on topic.

Story: Switch To Spanish Sparks Debate At Norcross Publix - News Story - WSB Atlanta

[billl]

What's to argue? Lowes and Home Depot have been doing this for years. Despite what some people want to believe the US does not have an official language. Last time I checked neither does the state of Georgia. We are a nation of immigrants.

Truth be told, the signs in the grocery stores really should look like ᎦᏚ ("ga du") and ᎤᏅᏗ ("u nv di") instead of bread and milk. Why should the true natives of the Atlanta area have to cater to English-speaking foreigners?

Bill

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

The topic: A Publix grocery store in Norcross is now adding 1500 Spanish items to their shelves, and the store signage will now all be in English and Spanish.

Okay. I don't see a problem. As long as the checkout people are able to speak passable English.

[atlantamoi]

Doesn't bother me. They are in the game of making money and that will help them.

[wxjay]

Add Walmart to the list of stores that already uses English/Spanish signs as well.

I don't really have a problem with it. However, I really do think that our country should have an official language and that language should be English.

[cityrover]

One publix I won't be going to. Norcross doesn't bother me but i would not live there.

[LovinDecatur]

That is Publix' decision. They are a privately held corporation. Let them live with the consequences of that decision.
Then you have IKEA, whose signs are in English, Spanish and Swedish. I rather like the idea of shopping and brushing up on my Swedish at the same time.

[ready2move]

Coming from South Florida where EVERYTHING is in English/Spanish and sometimes the other way around, I don't have a problem with it as long as the employees speak English first and foremost. As soon as they let the employees get lax with that, then it seems to have a dominoe effect.

I can't tell you how many times living in Ft. Lauderdale, I was spoken to in Spanish at either Macy's, Publix or CVS. Used to make me crazy.

[Atlantasfinest]

Originally Posted by ready2move

Coming from South Florida where EVERYTHING is in English/Spanish and sometimes the other way around, I don't have a problem with it as long as the employees speak English first and foremost. As soon as they let the employees get lax with that, then it seems to have a dominoe effect.

I can't tell you how many times living in Ft. Lauderdale, I was spoken to in Spanish at either Macy's, Publix or CVS. Used to make me crazy.

I was just in Miami this weekend and It was very irritating to be spoken to in Spanish at the CVS and other stores. As soon as I started speaking english the attendant froze up and had to struggle to gather her english words like she didn't even want to try. It made me feel like I was in the wrong for speaking English at a CVS in my own country! I was asking the lady for help with developing some film and as soon as she heard me speak english her whole attitude changed. South Florida is nice to visit but I wouldn't live there unless I knew some conversational spanish.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by Atlantasfinest

I was just in Miami this weekend and It was very irritating to be spoken to in Spanish at the CVS and other stores. As soon as I started speaking english the attendant froze up and had to struggle to gather her english words like she didn't even want to try. It made me feel like I was in the wrong for speaking English at a CVS in my own country! I was asking the lady for help with developing some film and as soon as she heard me speak english her whole attitude changed. South Florida is nice to visit but I wouldn't live there unless I knew some conversational spanish.

I can tell you from experience that if you want to order in a fast food restaurant, drop off your dry cleaning, give instructions to tradesmen etc, it is an absolute must.