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Restaurant wins challenge over 'speak English' signs
- Thread starter Marlat
- Start date
I don't think the guy did anything wrong. It's his privately-owned restaurant, and he didn't say people shouldn't never speak another language, he just requested that they order in English. Probably so their order could be UNDERSTOOD.
I believe that by making many things easier for those who don't speak English in America, we are also taking away the necessity to learn the language. And non-English speaking people are severely disadvantaged in that in order to truly get a good job or shop anywhere you want you need to know English. So I think it actually hurts them in the end.
Their refusal or inability to learn English is also making it harder for those of us who do speak the language.
For example, I worked for a paint company that sold paint to a large hardware chain. This chain requires that all labels should be in Spanish and English.
In order to fit both languages on the can, we had to delete important instructions and information. Plus, the cans were extremely hard to read.
I'm more for spending money on teaching people who immigrated to America English, than revising all of our products and services.
I believe that by making many things easier for those who don't speak English in America, we are also taking away the necessity to learn the language. And non-English speaking people are severely disadvantaged in that in order to truly get a good job or shop anywhere you want you need to know English. So I think it actually hurts them in the end.
Their refusal or inability to learn English is also making it harder for those of us who do speak the language.
For example, I worked for a paint company that sold paint to a large hardware chain. This chain requires that all labels should be in Spanish and English.
In order to fit both languages on the can, we had to delete important instructions and information. Plus, the cans were extremely hard to read.
I'm more for spending money on teaching people who immigrated to America English, than revising all of our products and services.
We do spend a lot of money on teaching people who immigrated to US SAE (Standard American English). I'm a big advocate for bilingualism, but true balanced bilingualism. As much as this might seem like a contradiction, I'm also a big advocate of students learning how to speak English effectively. Most minority communities place importance on learning English, because they realize that it's necessary for survival because their world is too limited in this country without English. There is one community however that tends to not place a great deal of importance on learning English. This is Spanish speakers. The spanish speaking community is so large that a person can easily exist without having to speak English. It's hard for me as a teacher to convince parents that it's still important for their kids to learn English when my classroom is the only time their child is exposed to it.
Am I correct in thinking that the USA still has no official language? If so, do you think public reaction would be the same if the owner had a sign up saying "Speak Spanish"?
No official language, and I doubt there ever will be.
That said, I have been in shops in Florida where that sign would have been just fine, and there wouldn't be any reaction if it were there.
I think that if a business wants to post such a sign, it is indeed part of "protected speech", in any event.
Both. Would the same people have the same reaction or do you think it would "flip"?
"This Establishment has the right to refuse service to any patron without reason." This sign is posted in most resturants in nearly every state in the US. It is also posted in most resturants overseas. A customer is just that, a customer, and businesses have the right to work for anyone they choose. Most would not stay in business long if they got too picky, but it is still there right.
What is funny is if the patron can't speak english, they probably can read it, so they won't know what the sign says anyway, so it really doesn't do anything but make the liberals mad. Not that doing that isn't worth the effort...
What is funny is if the patron can't speak english, they probably can read it, so they won't know what the sign says anyway, so it really doesn't do anything but make the liberals mad. Not that doing that isn't worth the effort...
Bob Lee (QSC)
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The restaurant owner can make language demands if he wants, but to be consistent he should change the name to Eugene's.
Yep, how very Geno's-like, going with the big, loud, flashy "look-at-me!!!" move :scowl:
If any of you are in the area, go across the street at eat at PAT'S!
Seriously, though, I see nothing wrong with this. They are only stating that they prefer their customers order in English, not out-right denying service to those who don't speak it. Good for them.
The melting pot has melted and cooled into what is now American Culture. I know such a thing as "American Culture" exists because I always hear about how Europeans don't want it in their countries. 
The dominant language in that culture is English, IMO.
edited to add "IMO".
The dominant language in that culture is English, IMO.
edited to add "IMO".
A "speak spanish" sign wouldn't even make the local paper, much less the national news, IMHO.
I frequent a few mexican restaurants around our downtown area where only Spanish is spoken. They will not talk to you in English, or even acknowledge you're presence except to tell you to speak in Spanish (or to curse you out in Spanish assuming you don't speak the language). They've never been in the news. Damn good tacos, though!
Got the same thing here in South Oklahoma City. I either attempt to prounounce it myself or I just do alot of pointing. Oh, and I always remember to say Por Favor and Gracias. I saw a gentleman in front of me who got mad at the lack of English speaking, and he stupidly walked away from the best Tacos Al Carbon this side of Mexico. His loss.
Some of the best taquerias in California are like that. I dig it personally. I swear they taste better if you have to order them in Spanish.
Really? Even in Philly. I would not be so surprised in the southern states. But there you go.
You will likely find that scenario occurs in many large cities in the US, but that's mostly dependent on the neighborhood in which the restaruants are located.
Is putting up a sign that says "speak English" in English similar to having a sign that says "braille and picture menus available" at McDonalds--or having braille on the buttons of drive-up ATMs?
