“An English-only ordering policy at one of Philadelphia’s most famous cheesesteak joints has prompted a city agency to pursue a discrimination complaint. The city’s Commission on Human Relations plans to file the complaint Monday, alleging the policy at Geno’s Steaks discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there, said Rachel Lawton, acting executive director.” Owner Joseph Vento, who posted the now-famous signs telling customers, “This is America: When Ordering ‘Please Speak English'”, says “he has no plans to budge. ‘I would say they would have to handcuff me and take me out because I’m not taking it down.'” (Patrick Walters, “City agency: Cheesesteak shop’s English-only policy discriminates”, AP/PennLive, Jun. 12; BizzyBlog; Bainbridge, Jun. 10). P.S. At XRLQ, commenter “Doc Rampage” writes, “If this suit goes forward, I’m going to sue Starbucks for making me say ‘Venti’ instead of ‘large.'” Update Feb. 18, 2007: city commission finds probable cause for discrimination complaint.
English-only cheesesteak ordering? Tell it to the judge
“An English-only ordering policy at one of Philadelphia’s most famous cheesesteak joints has prompted a city agency to pursue a discrimination complaint. The city’s Commission on Human Relations plans to file the complaint Monday, alleging the policy at Geno’s Steaks discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there, said Rachel Lawton, acting executive director.” Owner […]
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I keep wondering if they’re planning on specifying what languages his employees must be fluent in.
I mean, yeah, the guy is apparently a pig but it’s not like offended people can’t cross the street and get a cheese steak from Pat’s instead.
“prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing on the basis of race, ethnicity or sexual orientation.”
Such a policy also prevents me, a native english speaker, from ordering in spanish, german, swahili (not that I speak this one); thus it does not discriminate on the basis or race, ethnicity or sexual orientation (just what sexual orientation has to do with languages spoken is a mystery to me).
His sign is merely a reality of life. There are hundreds of languages which I would have absolutely no means of understanding. Just because I do business with the public does not mean that I somehow have to accomodate each and every language that might walk in the door. This gentleman is merely stating the same concept: order in english or I will not understand your wishes.
Daily, I encounter difficulty in America because non-English speakers behind counters, over phones and in government offices can’t understand me, nor I them. Do I have a “human rights” complaint against them?
Tip for Geno: When they come to cuff you, just say you don’t speak English.
The sign is in English. If I do not speak English, how can I be offended or discriminated against by it? A Spanish version should be ordered to be posted.
To anyone who has tasted the cheesesteaks there, it is obvious this is a desperate attention getting attempt to get gas chastened customers back from Pat’s or Jim’s Steaks.
Apparently the guy is a pig? What guy, Geno the owner? He’s a pig because he’s a native American English speaker and wants others here to accomodate the language and culture of their host country? That is an ignorant, self-negating and insulting statement. I hope Geno prevails.
The problem with this case is the “disparate impact” legal theory.
See, some rocket scientist on the SCOTUS decided that it didn’t matter if the INDIVIDUAL was treated fairly, it mattered if, statistically, his group was properly represented. According to the “disparate impact” theory, all you have to show is that your group (unless you are white or male) is “under-represented”, and thus, QED, there is discrimination.
Even if your pool of APPLICANTS isn’t properly representative, you are expected to HIRE the right precentages (and that applies in other areas, as well).
It’s SICK.
Good tip, David. And what Cindy said.
Does Geno Fed-Ex?
It would seem to be to be required, when ordering a sandwich, to speak a language the chef understands. If Gino’s employees speak no language but English, which is quite possible, then sign or no sign, the customer ordering in Swahili isn’t getting a cheesesteak. The sign may be rude, but it seems to reflect a basic reality. If you want something, you’ll need to communicate it in a language that the hearer understands. After all, the sign could be communicating simply that, it being in America, the staff speaks English, so please do the same if you want your sandwich. That’s probably not quite what Gino meant, but its a reasonable reading of it.
Yes, they do not serve non-English speakers that is those that do not speak Italian. If you target a specific group, but do not require the same from everyone it is racism.
By the way, the man can use some English classes.
Oh cut the crap, please. This has nothing to do with the chef understanding the order. It has everything to do with whether the person who wants a cheese steak can articulate their order in English.
If not, and if unwilling to learn to do so, then go home. This whole subject is far simpler than most commentators imply.