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This is America, please order in English
Since 2005, a Philadelphia based cheese-steak bistro owner has been defending a signpost in his shop that said: "This is America, please order in English." Not surprisingly, he was taken to court on grounds of discrimination, equating it to derogatory signs like "Whites Only". No ruling has been given yet.I wrote a post earlier about how surprising I found it that people barely speak English in a big, cosmopolitan capital city like Madrid. It triggered a debate over whether it's necessary for big cities (where English isn't the first language) to have basic knowledge of English, or not.
I think it is relative. In non-English speaking metropolises, as long as the tourists put in some effort, lack of basic English may not be an important day-to-day communication hindrance, but it is definitely a disadvantage in the larger scope of things. For example: Madrid is bidding to host the 2016 Olympics -- surely the knowledge of English would play an important role there. How is China tackling that issue for next year's games? Anyway, I digress.
What do you do in an English-speaking country when your customers don't speak English? Do you put up a sign like our friend did? Hmmm, I don't think so -- it's quite an insult. The sign reminded me of when the English ruled India and the "No Indians or Dogs" sign was not uncommon. Couldn't they just be offered picture menus where they could point out what they wanted? Or what about bilingual menus?
There is an online poll on the article asking whether people approve this sign post. At this moment, of the 115,732 people who voted, 92% of them approve. Call me overly sensitive but I'm kinda shocked to see the response.
What do you think? Are signs like that acceptable?
| Yes! | |
|---|---|
| No | |
| ˇSí! |
Filed under: Activism, Food and Drink, North America, United States, News
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 30)
chris Dec 24th 2007 8:38AM
if they live in the U.S. they need to learn our language, or they can take there sorry A$$ back to where they came from. Some of my relatives came from other countries, they learned to speak and read in english. when they were out in public they spoke english. when they were at home or other relatives houses they spoke their native language. so the hell with them all. i hope he keeps the sign up.
beth Dec 23rd 2007 2:34PM
I think we can go back to "Do unto others." I've travelled all over the world and in most places the menus have been in the local language and English.
How thoughtful, especially if you want an English only speaking customer to eat at your establishment.
And many that don't provide English translations put in photos of the food. Perhaps that's the solution....If the owner of the restaurant has problems understanding a foreigner, let them point!
Heathereeee Dec 23rd 2007 2:26PM
I was involved in customer service positions for over 15 years and I have to say that I firmly agree with the bistro owner. When people come in and can't even communicate on a first grade level it slows down business and makes a lot of other customers very angry. If you're spending 10 minutes trying to figure out if someone wants coke or pepsi, the people being made to wait will walk out. I've seen it a million times. I helped run several restaurants and if you don't have a fast table turnover, you'll be left with no profits. Why should business owners be forced to do that for someone who can't be bothered to learn basic communication skills? I think it's a ridiculous request. There are language learning systems that will teach you all the basic manners and speech in absolutely no time. While you're waiitng for your visa to go through, go buy one and use it. Take notes and tote a little book with you when you're going out to eat or shop. It's YOUR personal responsibility to learn the basic language of the country you reside in or are a guest of. If you don't agree with that, then don't go into places where you're not welcome. There are shops in the surrounding towns who are run by people who don't speak English---They don't understand a word I say, so I don't shop there. Piece of cake. Stop whining and deal with it. It's called 'life' and it's only as difficult as YOU make it. :-)
Victoria Dec 23rd 2007 2:27PM
Richard W, the countries you listed DO accomodate the English language when you visit as a tourist!!!
Patti Dec 23rd 2007 2:28PM
I agree with Ricardo.
My father's parents migrated here from two different countries and learned English first.
They assimilated quickly and became proud citizens of the United States.
I also had an experience similar to Marks.
I was turned down for more than one job because I couldn't speak enough Spanish.
The job descriptions didn't mention that I had to speak Spanish or I wouldn't have applied.
And as far as the "whites only" comparison, what about all the organizations that cater only to races other than white?
It sounds like the writer of the article has a double standard here.
As a non-white, I still think the article is slanted.
Ree Dec 23rd 2007 3:17PM
Yes, this sign is appropriate, if a little harsh. (I would suggest something like " Only English spoken here " or similar) This IS the US, and OUR language is English. Outside the tourist-y areas in Mexico, for example, it's not uncommon to have to ask around to find someonewho speaks English if you need to. You don't find Americans, for the most part, expecting them to, and you certainly don't usually find menus and other informational signage in English. I have no problem with LEGAL immigrants or visitors being here, but this push to accomodate them and their customs and languages has been carried too far. Too much tax-payer resources are going into accomodating immigrants who, for whatever reason, chose not to learn or utilize English. ( Many actually do speak passable English, but just don't want to make the effort. ) There will always be visitors to this country who don't speak our language, but in most places, this should be an uncommon event.
vERONICA Dec 23rd 2007 4:11PM
THIS IS AMERICA! When my Ancesters came here from France, England, Ireland, etc ... merging heritage with Native Americans ... They learned ENGLISH the founded language of this Country. It is one thing to try to help a visitor in placing an order or whatever, but this is not Mexico or another Foriegn Country. I am offended with how much American taxpayers have to pay to benefit Mexico in particular! My children do not benefit as much as theirs do from these outrages! Although we are all brothers and no one goes his way alone, what you send out into others comes home to be your own!!! We need to stop sending the message that this is Mexico too! You want to be an American then do as we do and speak as we do. Thank you for this space. May the "Laws of the Universe" and the "Grace of God" be with you.
JoJo Dec 23rd 2007 2:29PM
Ummm, I guess in YOUR world, you would expect employers to hire someone to speak every possible language to be able to order a sandwich.
You also lost your own argument for the sign being wrong when you used Madrid as an example. They don't HAVE to learn english. If english speaking people travel to a spanish speaking country, they need to learn the basics of the language...just like immigrants learned ENGLISH when they arrived in this country.
Talk about being an ugly American.
chris Dec 24th 2007 8:37AM
keep the sign up. they are in the U.S. they need to learn our language or get the heck out and go back where they cam from
marissa Dec 23rd 2007 2:34PM
This is ridiculous...it is quite simple. You want to live in America....LEARN THE LANGUAGE!
Dan Dec 23rd 2007 2:41PM
I too have lived overseas - when in Germany I ordered in German and now in Turkey I order in Turkish. Icki tane peynirli pize lutfen! It doesn't take much effort to learn the local language and it's much appreciated. I'm actually pleasantly surprised how many Americans have taken the time to learn the local language. Certainly dispels the myth that all Americans only know English. If one chooses to visit America and chooses not to learn any English, they shouldn't be surprised when they're not understood. Schuld selber, wie Sie in deutschland sagen.
Stacey Dec 23rd 2007 4:10PM
I would think, that a person who knew enough English to be offended by the sign, would also be able to know enough of that language, to order his lunch. If he doesn't know English, he wouldn't be offended anyway because he wouldn't know what the heck the sign meant.
So who exactly has a problem with the sign? Certainly not the person who can't read it anyway so it must be someone looking to make some money off a lawsuit.
Dudeman Dec 23rd 2007 9:16PM
You know what i don't think there is anything wrong with his sign. If I go to Paris I'll speak french. if i go to Japan I'll speak japaness.If your in america please speak english.
wtsallw Dec 23rd 2007 2:37PM
ok some people are pulling things out of no where with their responses, it didnt say he REFUSES service to someone who doesnt speak english, jeez, the sign is a suggestion PLEASE speak english, it isnt a demand, and no its not the same as a WHITES ONLY sign because its not BANNING anyone. people are so stupid
carol Dec 23rd 2007 2:51PM
why doesn't this stop who fought for this land who is dying for this country so all of you can voice your stupid opinions, this is AMERICA english is the language get over it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! start working on more important issues like health care ect........
louise Dec 24th 2007 6:39PM
as a former restsurant manager i have had peiople try to order in spanish...when i said i did not speak spanish to please use english they managed to speak english well enough to order...inother words they could but DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK ENGLISH...they wanted me to conform to their ways not for then to conform to mine....in fact someone once asked me why i did not learn spanish...i said my second language was italian and they should try to learn thet..
Arnie Daks Dec 23rd 2007 2:37PM
First off, I think the sign represents the owners right of freedom of speech albeit somewhat offensive to those that may not speak English...but guess what?
If they don't know English then it is highly unlikely they will understand the sign unless the owner goes to the trouble of understanding it. My parents were immigrants to this country post WW2 and had to learn basic English to even become citizens and they were more than glad to go to night school to do that. By the same token, if I decided to live in a foreign country I would be more than motivated to learn the native language. I think it is really sad that the taxpayers have to support translations of all our welfare forms etc. to help the poor immigrants that have come to this country to freeload off of our national wealth...they should be happy that they have a chance to be employed at wages far greater than in their own country...if not, then they should have stayed where they were....nobody put a gun to their head to come here! ...and if somebody put a gun to their head to leave where they were then they should be happy to have the US as an asylum or safe refuge and learn our language...yes it is English or let's just say American!!! Majority still rules and until the Hispanics, Indians, Chinese, French, Germans, or any other nationality becomes some kind of majority here then let them adapt to what is the norm rather than trying to make the majority adapt to them. I have traveled overseas and it is nice when a native can communicate in English but it is not something I expect or get arrogant or upset about when they don't...I am the visitor and it is my responsibility to take care of myself and deal with whatever I have to or simply not bother going there. I also noticed the author has a foreign name...I am glad you took the trouble to learn English because if you had written the article in your native language I doubt if you would have any feedback from any of the "English" speaking majority of Americans. This issue is akin to the religious freedom and separation of state from religion and the "In God We Trust" issues. People need to chill out and leave the decent things alone and concentrate on more serious issues like our servicemen sacrificing their lives for people that do not appreciate the American way..both there and here!
Brent Dec 23rd 2007 2:38PM
You come to America, expect to learn English. If I go to another country, I will be expected to learn the language as best as I can. You dont go to mexico to speak english. You dont come to America to speak Spanish(just using mexico and spanish as an example only). Im tired of pressing ONE to hear it in English. It should be "press ONE to hear it in any other language besides English. Some countries are melting pots also, ..... You know what, if you want to live in this country DO IT LEGALLY AND LEARN THE LANGUAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.T. Dec 23rd 2007 2:39PM
Political Correctness is ruining our country and population. In the 70's All In The Family was a television show that was contoversal as well as what we would now call Politically Incorrect. There is now way on God's green earth(sorry agnostics and atheisits, hope I didnt offend) this show would even be allowed to be aired. Lighten up PEOPLE!!!
Tara Dec 23rd 2007 10:54PM
i for one see this everyday when i go to work at sears. people come in to buy things and they speak to me and i cannot understand them and though we try to hire people who can translate you cant find someone to do every language and it gets frustrating in a fast paced enviornment to know what they want. this man owns a restaurant they dont have all the time or all the money in the world to make bilingual menus or to take all that time. if i went to germany i bet nobody there would have bilingual menus you would be walking around with a dictionary to translate. and for them walking into a restaurant they know what they want so if they can read english why cant they speak it? just my opinion