English Only

[StrykerFSU]

I think comparing Geno's policy of requiring customers to order in English to a civil rights issue is ridiculous. Geno's wasn't requiring that customers only speak English in the restaurant but only when they were ordering food. It seems to me that they are only trying to make sure that they get the orders right. If you can't speak the native tongue of the country where you are ordering food, then you better make your best effort and hope for the best. I have travelled extensively and as I don't speak Icelandic, Japanese, or Portuguese that has always been my policy.

I also take exception to the afro comment. Businesses have the right to make rules concerning the appearance of their employees as their employees are representatives of the company. You picked two examples of hairstyles that would lead a reader to infer a racial component to that argument when there shouldn't be one. Whites are just as capable to have an afro, if you don't believe me, I have some photos of myself I could send and Vanilla Ice can show you what happens when corn rows go bad.

[Tim Whitehead]

I think comparing Geno's policy of requiring customers to order in English to a civil rights issue is ridiculous. Geno's wasn't requiring that customers only speak English in the restaurant but only when they were ordering food. It seems to me that they are only trying to make sure that they get the orders right. If you can't speak the native tongue of the country where you are ordering food, then you better make your best effort and hope for the best. I have travelled extensively and as I don't speak Icelandic, Japanese, or Portuguese that has always been my policy.

I'm sorry, but do you really think that Geno's only concern here is that they get the order right?

[Danny Hogan]

You picked two examples of hairstyles that would lead a reader to infer a racial component to that argument when there shouldn't be one.

good point.

hack;

#2 change one of the forbidden hair styles to 'frat-boy-half-disheveled-half-gel-spiked-look'

i would love to see a source on any of those examples.

[StrykerFSU]

I understand what you're saying Tim but we don't know what the owners purpose was when they posted the sign and instituted the policy. I was just trying to offer an alternative to the notion that the policy was an act of lingual discrimination.

[Tim Whitehead]

True, they may be the only ones that know their actual motivations, but to me this reeks of discrimination. I was recently in Europe, and at every restaurant I went to, if I had trouble reading the German, they went out of their way to help instead of saying "do it our way or get lost". People can justify the English-only policy however they want, and it may be legal, but I still think its discriminatory. I'm not saying they shouldn't be allowed to do it, I just don't think it's right, and I think the tone of the sticker on their window shows that this isn't a case of efficiency or getting people's orders right...

[StrykerFSU]

#2 change one of the forbidden hair styles to 'frat-boy-half-disheveled-half-gel-spiked-look'
[/quote]
Or maybe the Balti?

[Jolly Roger]

I was recently in Europe, and at every restaurant I went to, if I had trouble reading the German, they went out of their way to help instead of saying "do it our way or get lost".

And you are hitting on an important point that is not translated well in the posted signage.

Tim, I assume you tried your best to communicate in the local language, but, when you had difficulty speaking the foriegn languages, you were a visitor.

I suspect that Geno's is making an statement on immigration - something to the effect of "if you're going to live in the USA, you should be capable of speaking the primary language".

I'd tend to agree with that particular sentiment.

[Tim Whitehead]

Yes, I was a visitor, but my girlfriend has moved there, and as someone living in the country, she still gets all the help that I got. She's trying to learn the language, as was I. I really doubt that Geno's has a problem of people trying to actually order in other languages. I'm sure people try to order properly in English, they just need help sometimes.

I agree that if you move to a country, you should try and learn the native language. And maybe if people like Geno would take a second and assist people instead of telling them to get out until they can learn, these people would learn faster.

[Beta]

But is it really Geno's job to teach people the native language? They're a cheesesteak stand. Their job is serve cheesesteaks. Even after this blows over...the employees have every right to stand there and stare blankly at the person that hasn't taken the 20 seconds of time to ask someone that speak both languages what a "Medium Cheese Steak" is.

[StrykerFSU]

I'll save them the trouble, a medium cheese steak is for "@#ssies". Go large or go home, a corollary of Coughlin's Law stating "Beer is for breakfast, drink or be gone."