Bistec con queso? Not at Geno's Steaks

Howudoin? The national immigration debate hits the street corners of Philly. This time in the form of a greasy sub smothered and covered with steak and cheese. And it all started when Geno's Steaks in South Philly recently posted small signs telling customers, "This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING `SPEAK ENGLISH."'

Well, now this American business is under attack from pro-illegal immigration groups and the city of Philadelphia. apparently a private business in America can't ask their customers to act like...um, Americans.

The city's Human Relations Commission found evidence that the owner of Geno's Steaks may have discriminated against immigrants by posting a sign telling customers, "This is America: When ordering please speak English," according to a letter sent to owner Joe Vento last week.

But it's important to note the detail in the signs Geno's posted. No where does it say "immigrants will not be served." No where does it say Geno's will refuse the business of non-English speaking customers. In fact, according to a longer AP story on FOX News, Vento said his staff is glad to help non-native speakers order in English and has never turned someone away because of a language barrier.

This quote says it all..."They don't know how lucky they are. All we're asking them to do is learn the English language," said Vento. What's wrong with that? Many businesses ask you wear shoes and shirts before entering. Are we going to claim racism the next time someone is asked to leave a business because they aren't wearing shoes or a shirt? Or what about the custom of showering? Some cultures go days without bathing, which leaves a nice odoriferous emanation. Is it racism if a fine restaurant asks a non-bathing customer to leave because the foul odor is killing the other customers, not to mention the business?

What part of "private business" does the city of Philadelphia not understand? Things could be worse than asking customers to order in English while in an English speaking country.

But not everyone sees it that way.

"I certainly wouldn't want a national audience to think it represented all of the wonderful cheese steak makers in the whole city," said Meryl Levitz, president and chief executive of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. "This isn't representative of the Philadelphia attitude."

Ah, there it is. This is all about a bad attitude. (Read the next sentence emphatically while rolling your eyes) I mean, how dare Joe Vento, an American citizen who's parents immigrated to America legally from Italy and learned the language asks others to do the same. Imagine the nerve of that guy!

Yeah, only in America will you hear cultural snobs complaining about the loud American they saw at the Eiffel Tower trying to buy a souvenir in English...but will return to America demanding we accommodate the rest of the worlds cultures and languages.

Labels: Immigration

posted by DVS @ 7:53 AM |
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