Ok to Tell Customers to Speak English in Philly

[lagged]

He gives you free bumper stickers that say the same thing. I have one on the rover.

 

[garrett]

I'd say there is a little resentment with the folks at Geno's. First off I love Geno's and it's hard to find a decent cheesesteak anywhere else. I lived in Philly for many years and miss it quite a bit. But these Italian immigrants worked their asses off for everything they have, learned the language and made a place for themselves. Now they have to "deal" with other immigrants (legal or not) that can't speak the language.
It pisses them off, they put a sign and they feel better.

If it offends some people, they have other choices.

See now living in Pittsburgh Rob you are use to dealing with illiterates and people with a limited vocabulary.

 

[Emerson00]

Back when I was a kid, we spent a month in Germany in base housing at an Air Force base. the little old German lady at the candy store expected you to greet her in german. And for your efforts she would reward you with a piece of candy. She would try to get you to speak German while ordering, but wouldn't fault you if you couldn't. And she spoke very good English. I would think she's doing to AF Brats a favor. Any of the kids who lived in base housing for a year or two at least could communicate naitively with other Germans.

Same here. 9y.o. near Frankfurt and not once did I get away with ordering anything in English. my host family insisted that I did my own ordering and coached me along... the wait staff, clerks, and everyone else all had great patience as I fumbled through "one piece of candy, please"; they did allow me to ask if they spoke english, first, but it was always politely refused - i think the parents were behind me signalling "please say no".

 

[garrett]

This burger joint will let anyone or ANYTHING order.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvesBXw3-v0

Go Patches!

 

[kzack]

I have to admit to getting this thought from a local radio show.... What if when he went to court his lawyer showed up speaking something other than English? Would it have been okay to do 'business' in the courtroom speaking another language? -kz-

 

[Emerson00]

Yep. Last time in traffic court, the court had to supply an interpreter for the Latino fella who was speeding. His excuse? Had to get his American Citizen kid to the hospital in time to legalize the paperwork... Had no $$ (but had the kid) so haggled with the judge about doing community service - he didn't think he should have to since he worked all week and didn't want to work on the weekend...

Rubbed me raw because here we are paying an interpreter to translate for this kid, and he doesn't even want to pay a fine, is embarrassed at working roadside, upset he has to putin hours on a weekend... and meanwhile when I slipped a disk in my neck I was ignored for an extra 1/2 hour because another Latino family showed up with their new legal citizen... demanding immediate attention and an interpreter!

 

[az_max]

I have to admit to getting this thought from a local radio show.... What if when he went to court his lawyer showed up speaking something other than English? Would it have been okay to do 'business' in the courtroom speaking another language? -kz-

For the suspect/accused/defendant, the court must provide a translator. If the lawyer shows up and doesn't speak english.... how the hell did he pass the BAR exam?