Philadelphia now has a nasty black eye as news of the English-only ordering policy of Geno's goes national.
What is the Geno's "English Speaking Customers Only" story you ask? Geno's Steaks, in South Philly, has a sign that warns customers that they reserve the right to refuse service, and another sign directly above it telling customers to speak English. These signs have been in place for a very long time. Months, if not years. You can see a picture here.
Why is it becoming news now? Possibly with the growing concern over immigration it is bubbling up in media awareness. Possibly because a growing number of local bloggers are discussing it (see following).
In anycase, it appears a confrontation is looming.
People don't react well to public displays of hypocrisy, and make no mistake, that's what this is. That doesn't excuse those who are now sending death threats to Joseph Vento, owner Geno's Steaks, however.
My take: This is sad and infuriating at the same time. Not only is there a complete lack of empathy in displaying the sign, there is zero recognition of personal and cultural history.
It's one thing to encourage and help immigrants learn English. It's another thing entirely to forget where you came from and take some stand that spits on it.
I can't help feel that the sign was put up for false reasons. That no one can be that hypocritical. That this is a publicity stunt and now we're all taking the bait. Pat's Steaks has been synomonous with Philadelphia cheesesteaks nationally. Now Geno's enters the national consciousness - for entirely the wrong reasons.
There are children dieing in the streets from gun violence seemingly every day in Philadelphia. This kind of story is a distraction from the real problems the city faces and can even serve to re-ignite racial tensions.
So there is only one way to say this...
Shame on Genos. Shame on them.
My hope is that they quickly take down the sign. Maybe put up one that translates. English speakers need that to learn the language of cheesesteak ordering, right? Quickly make some form of public atonement.
The news reports make it sound like that isn't going to happen. Philebrity has been covering this since November of last year.
So it's time for a boycott. For some public peaceful protest. And to let America know that Genos doesn't represent the view of the citizens of the city in the least.
Philly Future will try and share our local blogosphere's opinion as the story develops:
Philebrity: Joey Sweeny: Editorial: Putting Joey Vento On Snooze
Pound for Pound: The Future of Philadelphia: Boycott Geno's
Phillyville: "Wid or Widout?"
blonde sagacity: At Geno's: No English No Cheesesteak!
Albert: Come Dite, Fuckwad?
Blinq: One Cheesecake Wit
Philadelphia Will Do: Press 1 for Asshole
Philebrity: Confidential To Geno’s: Maybe Take Down The Guns-Blazing Xenophobia A Notch? Hmm?
Geno's
What happened to the right to refuse service? What happened to OUR natiuonal language? What happended to your manhood? The man has a right to ask that OUR NATIONAL LANGUAGE be used to oreder at HIS place of business. IF YOU DON'T STAND FOR SOMETHING, YOU FALL FOR ANYTHING. Shut up!
English only
Hurray for Geno!! South Florida is overrun with Spanish people who refuse to learn English after 20 years. Our ancestors not only learned English as soon as they arrived in this glorious land, but practiced hard to lose their accent also. Language unites us. The language barrier and the separate cultures clinging to thier right to remain different are weakening this great nation. Whatever happened to a melting pot? That means that everyone blends together, not everyone remains separate and so proud of where they came from, that they can't or won't assimilate. Let's all speak one language and be proud to be Americans. You left your old country, forget it or go back!!
i don't live in philly but
i don't live in philly but if i ever go there i will certainly not be going to geno's. i agree with your "shame on geno's" opinion. all of these whoo hoo, God bless America "hatriots" have got to wake up. i'm sure most nay sayers have not left the u.s. or even their back yards but the statue of liberty invites all here. what a great message we send to the world when this type of press goes national. "we, the stupid and racist people of america, do not want the melting pot anymore so we are putting our foot down and belittling 'your kind' until you leave." boy, that's a good idea. i'm embarrassed to say i'm american.
No to Geno's
The Genos' guy is stupid. He represents the ugly side of Philly. This is America. Show 'em. Eat at Pat's.
to who wrote the comment
to who wrote the comment about spanish people coming here and not learning english for the past 20 years, you are just sooo full of your self! i am puerto rican and i am very prud of where i come from and no one else should feel different about where they come from. not all of us have been here that long to be able to speak proper english. god made us in different shapes and sizes for a reason. we were not meant to be the same! if we were, this really weoldn't be a probelm but it is. why don't you try gping to another country and try to speak thier language. if you can learn it then good for you, if you can't, i suggest that you shut up about "spanish" people not learning english until you can practice what the hell you preach. if you wanna say something you can respond to this letter and give me your e-mail address. then we can talk.
P.S. Your an a**hole!!!
Geno's Cheesesteaks
"LOS CHEESESTEAKS DE GENO'S DAN CHURRAS"
Yes,you will need a spanish dictionary to translate the above sign
which I would probably post on Mr. Vento's rival eatery across the
street.
Geno's
As a language teacher I totally agree you should speak English in USA or nothing should be serviced for you. & not just English, has to be PERFECT ENGLISH. Perfect English means no accent at all. NOT ANY KIND OF ACCENT. And this rule should apply to each every country in the world. So if you don't speak or use any language perfectly you had better stay at home. Because you won't be able to have any service no matter where you go. Not even through the phone or letter or e-mail. Then we'll need more language teachers. That'll be perfect for me.
As a language teacher I
As a language teacher I totally agree you should speak English in USA or nothing should be serviced for you. & not just English, has to be PERFECT ENGLISH. Perfect English means no accent at all. NOT ANY KIND OF ACCENT AT ALL. And this rule should apply to each every country in the world. So if you DO NOT speak or use any language PERFECTLY you had better stay at home. Because you won't be able to have any service no matter where you go. Not even through the phone or letter or e-mail. Then we'll need more language teachers. That'll be prefect for me.