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Philadelphia Cheesesteak Shop Owner Defends 'Order in English' Policy
A small sign that asked customers to order in English at a famous cheesesteak shop was never meant to be offensive, the shop's owner testified Friday at a hearing to decide whether the policy was discriminatory.
Joe Vento, the owner of Geno's Steaks, defended his policy before the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, which filed the discrimination complaint.
"This country is a melting pot, but what makes it work is the English language," Vento told the commission. "I'm not stupid. I would never put a sign out to hurt my business."
I think its ok for a private business to decide that they only do business in English. I don't think it would be ok for the government to say that business must be done in English.
I think the owner has the right to restrict the language because if he didn't he'd be compelled to have staff who spoke other languages, but I can't answer your poll because you set it up as "spoken in his restaurant."
Anyone can speak any language in the restaurant, but not require staff to speak their language.
A private business should be able to ask that patrons order only in english, or any langage the restaurant desires, if that is what they want from all patrons, I think it’s similar to the “no shoes, no shirt, no service” policy. It’s only discriminatory if they treat “other” people differently from “other types” of people in the same situation. Say a restaurant makes you pay before you leave but they want black people to pay after they order. That’s discrimination. Asking all people to order in a preferred language isnt discriminatory. Besides, if you don’t want to order in english, go somewhere else. Geno’s is not the only place making cheesesteaks sandwiches in Philly.
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Shop Owner Defends 'Order in English' Policy
A small sign that asked customers to order in English at a famous cheesesteak shop was never meant to be offensive, the shop's owner testified Friday at a hearing to decide whether the policy was discriminatory.
Joe Vento, the owner of Geno's Steaks, defended his policy before the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, which filed the discrimination complaint.
"This country is a melting pot, but what makes it work is the English language," Vento told the commission. "I'm not stupid. I would never put a sign out to hurt my business."
My original thought was that the shop owner was correct. The more I think about it, the more I disagree, but my disagreement is based upon a "minor" wording issue.
Here is a photo of the stores window
I disagree with the first sign, what does "America" have to do with the english language? Last I checked, english is not the national language.
The second sign, I 100% agree with, its his shop, he can actually refuse service based upon whatever parameter he decides.
Look, this is Philly. Classic Philly behavior, do anything to get attention. All they had to really do is not respond to customers not ordering in english, but they decided to make a statement for publicity. They succeeded in this objective.
This board, including Immigration and 2008 Election subforums, is NOTHING compared to a typical discussion on any Philly streetcorner. And we don't end up with cops separating folks.
They need the publicity. I think Pat's Cheesesteaks are much better than Geno's. And WhiteHouse in Atlantic City is better too. Grew up eating these things at least a couple of times a week.
Right? Wrong? It is a fact of big city life, self promotion and irritation in a city faced with 27 languages and 45 different cultures.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewToCA
Look, this is Philly. Classic Philly behavior, do anything to get attention. All they had to really do is not respond to customers not ordering in english, but they decided to make a statement for publicity. They succeeded in this objective.
This board, including Immigration and 2008 Election subforums, is NOTHING compared to a typical discussion on any Philly streetcorner. And we don't end up with cops separating folks.
They need the publicity. I think Pat's Cheesesteaks are much better than Geno's. And WhiteHouse in Atlantic City is better too. Grew up eating these things at least a couple of times a week.
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