That's the spirit, let's all screw each other over. That's what civilization and globalization is about.
All right. A LOT of you people need to go to a dictionary and look up the word 'disingenuous', because that is exactly what a lot of you are. This issue has ZERO to do with race, or racism, or 'disrespect' of foreigners, business sense, or profit margins, or anything else like that. It is about one thing, and one thing only: What it USED to mean to come to live in this country, and what it has devolved into today. Used to be, coming to live in this country meant becoming a citizen, meant adopting this country as your new home, your new allegiance, your new loyalty, the fulfillment of your dreams. Not only did you come here and make every effort to fit in, every effort to learn English, you took PRIDE in it. This was the *Promised Land*. Over the decades, as decay has set in, this ideal has been almost completely lost. Now, not only do people not bother to even come here legally, they have no desire whatsoever to adopt this country as their own, no desire to fit in, no desire to learn the language, no allegiance, no loyalty, no love for this land. Only take take take, with open hands and a heart and mind filled with the ideal of entitlement. THIS is what this man has been railing against, in his own small way. He mourns what has been lost. It is a tragedy.
first of all, why isn't this thread in the d&d? do the 15 or so other countries in your "america" also have red white and blue flags, and have the bald eagle as their national symbol? otherwise, it's pretty clear he's talking about the states. who cares if north and south american countries consider themselves americans, there is truly only one america, and that is the united states. los estados unidos. geno is clearly evoking nationalistic feelings in an attempt to increase business. much like the pizza place in dallas accepting pesos in order to drum up business. like it or not, both of these establishments can do as they please. thread over.
You know who you sound like? What is this bygone ideal era you speak of? This guy and other nativists were making these same complaints over a 100 years ago. What does that tell you? Nothing has changed, immigrants are learning english at the same rate they've always learned it. It takes time to learn a new language as an adult. http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9221/spanish.htm As for becoming citizens, it used to be very easy to become one, you just had to get here, now you have to pay nearly a thousand dollars just to process your application. I seriously doubt that Geno's has ever had a major problem of puerto ricans or mexicans or chinese people showing up there and ordering in their native languages. Immigrants tend to eat out at places that make their native foods anyways. He can put up his sign, it's his right, but people who actually take some time and learn about the history of this country would disagree with his views and choose not to eat there and take their business to Pat's accross the street (or better yet, go to Tony Luke's).
This is Earth... Go to college and learn another language. Stop taking pride in your ignorance of the world around you. People from Philadelphia (Americans) have been brutalizing the English language for years. How ironic...
Hehe...the reason is probably more indifference or incompetence than not being able to speak the language...but I know what you mean. I'm not American, but I have absolutely no problem with the sign. Apparently, it fits the atmosphere in that place...and fining the guy or taking him to court because of it is ridiculous. The irony, however...is that many/most (not all, of course) Americans abroad take it for granted that people in service businesses in other countries have to understand them when they speak English to them... and that many Americans don't even make the effort to learn the words "Please" and "Thank you" in the language of the country they are visiting. I have seen people file complaints that the personnel in a hotel in another country wasn't speaking English well enough.
What if I have neither the money to pay for college nor the prior education to be able to get in? Mexico isn't exactly RENOWN for its schools, you know. My family in Philly still laughs at me every time I use the word "y'all"; my sister and I laugh at them every time they say, "youse guys". I think too many people have taken this thread a step too far. So here's something to keep in mind while arguing (By the way, wouldn't this be better suited in the Debate & Discussion forum?): This man is not proposing a law. He is operating a place of business.
What am I voting on? That he can keep the sign? Or whether I think he's petty, a jerk and completely ignorant of the history of language used by immigrants in this country, particularly in a city so impacted by immigration as Philly??
I was speaking about the broader issue (obviously). I doubt anyone is confusing "Geno" for a legislator.
Well maybe if they didn't ask people to come here to make a better living, it wouldn't be a "bilingual country". Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure they invited people to come over. So what know? I guess we should arrest and deport everyone that doesn't speak English out of here? Seriously, isn't that what makes The USA so great? Folks from all over the world can come over and try to make a much better living. You act like all "illegals" are criminals or something. Lots of those "illegals" had kids that have busted their butts to be successful. Hell, I bet lots of those illegals have better work ethic than some Americans that have everything handed to them. America did this to themselves. Who are the ones trying to save money by hiring "illegals" to do jobs like building houses, landscaping and everything else? It sure isn't the "illegals" hiring themselves. Maybe the reason why a country like Columbia is not bi-lingual is because they didn't invite the sick, the poor, and the wounded to live there like America did. Check the population, how many Americans live there as opposed to Spanish people in the USA? Just look at what you are complaining about. You are b****ing about menus being in Spanish! Really? Are Spanish menus that bad? What harm are they causing you? I don't see that as a big deal at all. You got soldiers still in Iraq, poor school systems, poverty up the roof and you're crying about menus being in Spanish. Listen to yourself man. I'm sure a Spanish menu isn't going to stop you from doing that what you need to do. I'm not saying we should let people continue to come here illegally but damn, Spanish menus? You have got to be kidding.
If/when I go back to Philadelphia, I want to eat at that guy's place. Description reminds me of this burger/hot dog place in Chicago.
Perhaps, but learn economics. We have done enough on our own, but illegals change the economy quite a bit, also. There is, and always has been, a reason we allow people from every country a certain quota every year. To the sympathizers? At what valuation of the dollar will you begin to understand that this affects us all? I've no problem with any nationality coming here. More than likely, most of our ancestors did same. What they didn't do was know full well there were rules to get here and disregard them. IMO, illegals should be sent home as soon as they are found. Period.
Exactly, how else do people explain all the enclaves (Little Italy, Chinatown, Spanish Harlem, etc) in cities like New York and Philly? I'll bet dollars to donuts that Geno grew up in an Italian neighborhood.
The sign discriminates against non-English speaking immigrants or tourists. Regardless of whether they are illegal or not.
I don't know if you live in Texas but you are completely wrong. German immigrants in Texas were still learning and teaching German in schools even after 1900. They were here, and didn't make an effort to teach school in English. Church services, classes, signs etc. were all in German. This(not nero's post, but the whole speak English only movement) is the biggest bunch of whining I've heard in a long time. "Whaaahhh Whaaahhh, I can't understand them." Yes everyone should be scared, frightened, and uncomfortable when people don't speak English. The only people who really suffer are those that don't learn the language. It's harder for them, but not really a problem for those that do. Why does an English speaking person care if someone else isn't fortunate enough to also have learned English yet? The children of immigrants almost all learn English even if the immigrants don't. It really isn't a big deal. I certainly don't think it's worth all the crying, whining, and moaning that people are doing about people not speaking English. It doesn't hurt anyone other than the people who don't speak it.
