Business says "Speak English"....

[kaw1218]

I couldn't agree more. It makes me a little nauseous every time I think of 'whiz' as a cheesesteak topping.

It actually isn't bad..... but I guess that's because I was raised on it.

 

[Kae]

If you choose to move to a country with a foreign language, it is polite and logical to at least try to learn said language.

Rich::

Agreed. I think the point is if you choose to live in another county you should learn the language.

Kae

 

[Hannathy]

It's cheese wit or witout (referring to the onions) and make mine extra cheese please. Heck it wasn't that long ago that if you didn't know how to order right they would tell you to go to the back of the line till you learned how, whether you spoke english or not. I have no problem with only speaking english believe me if you go to french speaking Canada they don't make a point of speaking to you in English unless it is profitable for them and until they are sure you are from USA they won't speak in English if they think you are Canadian. People in other countries know English because it is the language of business and they teach it in school.

The neighborhood this place is in is Italian and you can bet a million dollars the owners family came over speaking Italian but insisted the kids learn English and suprise they did it without ESL classes and the businesses and government speaking to them in Italian. So this man knows of what he speaks.

I think it is very low to bring in race to this discussion- it is about a language not color of skin. I'm sure he doesn't caree if you are purple just speak English.

 

[notnothin]

It actually isn't bad..... but I guess that's because I was raised on it.

I may have to take your word on this one, although I may get brave in a few months when I visit Sungard for a disaster recovery exercise in order to put and end to my fears!

 

[Honu]

I am of the opinion that people that move here should learn to speak and read English, but it's not an easy language and compounded with the lack of education (that many of them have) the task is pretty daunting. I wouldn't patronize a business that put up this kind of sign, but he has the right to do it.

This country will never be a place where everyone acts, thinks, looks or speaks the same. You can learn to adapt and live with the differences or drive yourself crazy wishing for something that will never be.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I may have to take your word on this one, although I may get brave in a few months when I visit Sungard for a disaster recovery exercise in order to put and end to my fears!

Don't do it! I may be wrong but I actually think it is considered a mortal sin.....

 

[paigevz]

Well, my father in law came to this country not speaking English well. It does take some time to learn another language.........you can't just "learn English" tomorrow when you arrive today. So, what about that? Should they wear a sign saying "I'm trying to learn English, please help me out?" (which they can't write in English anyway?

Anyway, I was going to say that kaw1218's post reminds me of my father in law, who hates chicken fried steak, but loves fried chicken. He tells stories of his first months here, working with a migrant crew, sandblasting, and how when they'd go out to eat, he'd order "chicken fried". In Spanish, you do use the descriptor after the noun in most cases. Anyway, he'd get chicken fried steak. He didn't pitch a fit and throw it back on the counter, he ate it. He puzzled and puzzled over how to make it clear, until finally one day, one of the people at the counter did explain to him that he should say the "fried" part first. He just didn't know that. After that, of course, he ordered it "fried chicken" and got fried chicken.

My father in law had not been privileged enough to ever get to go to school. A translation book would not have helped him.

It just seems like slamming a door in someone's face to me. America is closed, go away.

 

[notnothin]

Don't do it! I may be wrong but I actually think it is considered a mortal sin.....

I will definitely keep this in mind!

 

[kaw1218]

Well, my father in law came to this country not speaking English well. It does take some time to learn another language.........you can't just "learn English" tomorrow when you arrive today. So, what about that? Should they wear a sign saying "I'm trying to learn English, please help me out?" (which they can't write in English anyway?

Anyway, I was going to say that kaw1218's post reminds me of my father in law, who hates chicken fried steak, but loves fried chicken. He tells stories of his first months here, working with a migrant crew, sandblasting, and how when they'd go out to eat, he'd order "chicken fried". In Spanish, you do use the descriptor after the noun in most cases. Anyway, he'd get chicken fried steak. He didn't pitch a fit and throw it back on the counter, he ate it. He puzzled and puzzled over how to make it clear, until finally one day, one of the people at the counter did explain to him that he should say the "fried" part first. He just didn't know that. After that, of course, he ordered it "fried chicken" and got fried chicken.

My father in law had not been privileged enough to ever get to go to school. A translation book would not have helped him.

It just seems like slamming a door in someone's face to me. America is closed, go away.

To clear something up, they aren't just turning away all non english speaking people. They want people to try to learn english. These are the regulars that refuse to even just say 'cheesesteak' that has promoted this debate. They have talked people through the ordering, but let me tell you, when they are busy, all you CAN say is 'cheesesteak wit'! LOL

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I have no problem with only speaking english believe me if you go to french speaking Canada they don't make a point of speaking to you in English unless it is profitable for them and until they are sure you are from USA they won't speak in English if they think you are Canadian.

I don't believe you, because what you have written simply is not true. I have vacationed several times in Quebec and speak very, very little French. From the Ontario border through to Rivière du Loup and into New Brunswick (where French is an official language of the province) I have explained, in very halting French that I don't speak French very well and the staff at all restaurants, hotels and stores have been more than willing to speak English to both my wife and I -- and we are both proud Canadians.

 

[Hannathy]

Maybe because you spoke some french or it was a tourist area but when there for work if you spoke English they were very rude until it was clear you were American.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Maybe because you spoke some french or it was a tourist area but when there for work if you spoke English they were very rude until it was clear you were American.

Trust me -- there is nothing "touristy" about Rivière du Loup. I have never once experienced the anti-English treatment (unless you're a "rich American") while visiting Quebec -- and my French should be more than enough to incur the wrath of any anti-English types.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Trust me -- there is nothing "touristy" about Rivière du Loup. I have never once experienced the anti-English treatment (unless you're a "rich American") while visiting Quebec -- and my French should be more than enough to incur the wrath of any anti-English types.

I will not make any sweeping statements, but once, on the way to Montreal, from Vermont, I stopped at as gas station to ask directions. I heard a guy who worked there speaking English. When I asked for directions, he spoke back to me in French..... I gave up. I figured he was telling me that he didn't speak English. I left, and went back to Vermont... this was about 10 - 12 years ago.

 

[Planogirl]

I remember my grandmother learning English to survive in this country. She was always on her own and you know what? No one speaks Dutch in American businesses.

I have mixed feeling about the sign but it is the owner's business. There are no statutes against discriminating based on language as far as I know.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I remember my grandmother learning English to survive in this country. She was always on her own and you know what? No one speaks Dutch in American businesses.

I have mixed feeling about the sign but it is the owner's business. There are no statutes against discriminating based on language as far as I know.

Oh, he isn't descriminating. He will still serve you. He is just making his feelings known. At least that is the way I heard it on the news.

 

[Sparx]

The united states has no national language.

does the united states have an offical language?

 

[notnothin]

The united states has no national language.

does the united states have an offical language?

Congrats? You are correct.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I'm all for that! Wal-mart needs some of those signs too!

Look unless you are Native American we are all immigrants. However, up until recently everyone spoke English now we need to cater to all sub groups so how does that help them to become part of our culture? It keeps these people isolated and therefore unable to become part of the melting pot society upon which we pride ourselves.
I do not know one ethnic person who has learned to speak English that has lost his/her native customs if they did not want to. BUT they come here to be Americans and ....Americans speak ENGLISH. Sorry but that is the language of our country. I applaude this business owner. It does not serve anyone if people are divided into little pockets rather than one group. How do you know if you have something in common with another person unless you communicate and frankly most people do not know International Sign!!

We need a common ground for communication in this country and ENGLISH is it.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I don't believe you, because what you have written simply is not true. I have vacationed several times in Quebec and speak very, very little French. From the Ontario border through to Rivière du Loup and into New Brunswick (where French is an official language of the province) I have explained, in very halting French that I don't speak French very well and the staff at all restaurants, hotels and stores have been more than willing to speak English to both my wife and I -- and we are both proud Canadians.

Ahh, but you were paying them n'est pas?

 

[MsDisney23]

Ty Pennington went there to eat when they did the show in Philly!