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Geek Culture / [LOCKED] "English Only"

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Matt Rock
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 22:34
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I think this might be one of the most offensive things I've ever seen. For those of you who don't feel like reading the article, here it is in brief: A restaurant in Philadelphia named Geno's Steaks (which I've eaten at many times and has undoubtedly the best food in Philly, hands-down) has put up signs saying “This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ‘SPEAK ENGLISH.’” I'd expect something this moronically offensive appearing in the south or in Texas or something, but Philly? One of the most liberal cities on earth? I don't care where you stand on the immigration thing... this is retarded. I don't like to use that word and I avoid using it because it can be offensive to some people, but I'm afraid there's no other word in the english language to describe just how offensive this sign is.

I'm not trying to spark a political debate about immigration... I just thought you folks might be interested/ humored to see this. The funniest part of this is that the restaurant is in an immigrant neighborhood filled mostly with Germans and Italians. I think I may have seen a total of four mexicans in Philly in my entire life, and I've gone there a zillion times. The best part? They honestly think they're HELPING immigrants by posting this sign. Can someone explain to me how this is helping anyone? At best, it's making me not want to eat in Genos anymore. There's a fine line between immigration reform and racism, and in my opinion, this not only crosses the line, it puts an eraser to it, too.


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SageTech
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 22:37
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Though the sign might be a tad offending, I think he has the right to do that. If its his resturant, he can do whatever he wants.

Formerly SageTech
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Tinkergirl
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 22:42 Edited at: 12th Jun 2006 22:48
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The phrasing is downright offensive - the "This is AMERICA" part in particular.
I'd have no problem with a sign that said something like "Staff only fluent in American-English - we apologise for any inconvenience."

If they've had trouble in the past with people getting abusive because they couldn't take orders in Spanish, or any other language, I'd almost understand them lashing out. But really.

[edited after reading the article]
Ok, so they say that they'll try to help people learn to order in English - that's fine and dandy. But it doesn't detract from the sheer offensiveness of the phrasing. They really could have worded it better.
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Matt Rock
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 22:43 Edited at: 12th Jun 2006 22:44
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But isn't this supposed to be the land of the free? It seems to me like this is a throwback to segregation. Soon we're going to have signs that say "no gay kissing" or "christians only." Does that mean I could open a restaurant next door to his with a sign that says "Spanish only?" Or would that be crossing the line

Edit: Tinkergirl is on the money there. If the sign said something like that, I wouldn't have a problem with it. That would be informative and helpful. This sign doesn't help ANYONE, regardless of what they're trying to say.


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Fallout
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 22:48
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Quote: "But isn't this supposed to be the land of the free?"


Nah, that's just some propaganda they've been spinning you sinse colonisation. America is most certainly not the land of the free anymore.

On the subject of the sign, I'm with the TinkerGirl argument. Obviously a point needs to be made, but it was made in a bad way.

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UFO
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 22:48
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That's just disgusting.

There is a restaurant near where I live that has on the menu:
"Freedom Fries - $X (We don't say the f word anymore)"
BTW, they mean "French" as the f word.


Grrr. This kind of stuff disgusts me...

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Benjamin
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 22:55
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How american.

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Eric T
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 22:59 Edited at: 12th Jun 2006 23:01
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Coming from the area, I'll tell you this:

Geno's gets a lot of business. ALOT. When someone who can't speak english comes and tries to order and the cash-lady has to take 5 minutes trying to decipher what he's saying, it take a lot of time. So the fact is, it causes problems for the business when you have 3 or 4 of these an hour. Do you like waiting 20 minutes for a cheesesteak? I sure as hell don't.

Besides, it is america, and our national language is english...

A sign that says "Staff fluent in only american english" isn't going to fly in philly... Have you been to philly? We booed santa claus out of the Vet and threw batteries at Jimmy Johnson. We're not nice people (I'm a philly export now, sadly )

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David T
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:00
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Quote: "There is a restaurant near where I live that has on the menu:
"Freedom Fries - $X (We don't say the f word anymore)"
BTW, they mean "French" as the f word."


When I first heard that I couldn't believe it was true. Freedom fries. What a joke

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Chris Franklin
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:04
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Quote: "How american."

How French

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Megaton Cat
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:07 Edited at: 12th Jun 2006 23:08
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Don't see the problem with the general message, it's just written in an unconsiderate way.

They used to tell me and my friends the same thing when I just moved to Canada 9 years ago

"Hey you two! This is Canada, speak in English!"

Quote: "How French "


Pwned.


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Matt Rock
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:14
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Quote: "Have you been to philly? We booed santa claus out of the Vet and threw batteries at Jimmy Johnson. We're not nice people"

I've been there more times than I can count... enough to know why the Schuykill expressway is often referred to as the shorekill. I stop in every time I go to Atlantic City, usually to Genos for a steak. And I know how busy they are, but seriously, out of the zillions of times I've been to Genos I've never once seen someone have a problem with a non-english speaking customer. And immigrants not only built Philly (The Whitman, Franklin, Ross... all of Philly's bridges were built by immigrants, along with most of its buildings) but immigrants built this entire country. Heck, they built Genos too... their grandparents or whatever were Italian immigrants. And to put up a sign like this in an immigrant neighborhood is, imo, a serious slap in the face. I saw on the news earlier today that people are boycotting and picketing them, and I'm not surprised... in fact, I might even join them lol.

Quote: "When I first heard that I couldn't believe it was true. Freedom fries. What a joke"

I seriously stopped eating french fries for three months when I heard about that. The very thought of them made my stomach turn. I was thinking "what's next? Freedom toast? Freedom kissing? I'm making out with your daughter so the terrorists don't win?"


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Bahamut
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:16
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Firstly, the sign.


Quote: "This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ‘SPEAK ENGLISH."


It's just ignorant. It sounds like they're claiming it's their language. It's not even ours (the brits)! We nicked it from all over the place, including latin, greek, french and saxon(ish?) and passed it onto America.

Secondly, when they go abroad to germany or France, I'll bet alot of money that they'll order in English, or shout loudly and point. They should stop complaining, they probably have it alot better than most countries.

Also, if the customers don't speak English, how will they understand the sign?

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Eric T
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:30 Edited at: 12th Jun 2006 23:30
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This is hillariously sad...

I have a few questions for you all:

1) What country does Geno's Steaks reside in?

A) The United States of America
B) Ukraine
C) Zimbabwe


2) What is the main language of The United States of America?
A) Spanish
B) Dutch
C) English


Heres your answer key:


Now now, lets think about this for a sec. The language spoken in america is english... english... english... english. we're talking about america... america... america.

Lets dissect the what the sign says:

“This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ‘SPEAK ENGLISH.’”

The first 3 words: "This is AMERICA:" Is very true. You know a fun fact about america? The language we speak here is indeed, english. I thought that was interesting.

Anyway, the next part of the sign: "WHEN ORDERING 'SPEAK ENGLISH'". Ok guys, I have another funny fact for you... English is a commonly spoken language in America. Funny eh? Very...

Lets put this sign together:

"This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING 'SPEAK ENGLISH'"

There is nothing evil about this sign, my warm and fuzzy friends, its a sign stating a fact and a request. Simple.

Fact: This is america

Request: When ordering 'speak english'

This sign is pretty straight foward, it should stay, its not innapropriate, and if the non-english speakers want to order a god damn cheese steak, then they should either learn english, get a translator, or get out.

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Hawkeye
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:31 Edited at: 12th Jun 2006 23:34
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Quote: "Also, if the customers don't speak English, how will they understand the sign?"

That's the only understandable point anybody's made about this whole thing yet

edit: posted same time as Eric T. His point is understandable as well.


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Neofish
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:34
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I read about this on another forum, I shall quote myself to save time.

Quote: "I think the owner has a right to keep it there, but it is a little unfair for those who speak basic English. Those who could get along by pointing and understand how much cash etc. Going into a shop and expecting them to understand your own language is aragant. If they do then its a good thing. I've always been taught to _try_ the language of the place I'm in before using English, its polite."


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tpfkat
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:35
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maybe they had people in "winding " them up.

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adr
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:35 Edited at: 12th Jun 2006 23:39
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Firstly, sorry to cherry pick people's posts... but I do sometimes enjoy learning about other people.

Quote: "Do you like waiting 20 minutes for a cheesesteak"

What the hell is a cheesesteak? I mean, I can guess that it involves cheese and steak ... but how?

Quote: "When I first heard that I couldn't believe it was true. Freedom fries. What a joke"

Do you not remember at the start of the Iraq war, when the Bush administration started a "smear" campaign against the French for vetoing military action? Admittedly, it wasn't very serious, but the American President was reported to have eaten "Freedom Toast" that morning.


Quote: "I'm making out with your daughter so the terrorists don't win?"

Once upon a time, I went to the cinema. There was the usual durge of trailers, and then in the middle, bam - a fast-paced
Anti piracy advert. It was the usual stuff - shady person shoplifting. Dark streets with people exchanging counterfeit DVDs.... the last line in the masterpiece made me laugh out loud; "DVD Piracy funds terrorism". Worst. Link. Ever. Nevermind looking for fertiliser bombs, check everyone's bag for hooky copies of Finding Nemo!

Quote: "How French"

umm... two things dude.
1. Benjamin ain't French ... just because he lives in France, doesn't mean that anything that spews from his mouth is Francophile propaganda.
2. Because he expressed disdain for a sign that said "speak english or get out" that's a very "French" viewpoint? I hope you get a paper cut later. I'll be standing by with the lemon juice.

Quote: "Also, if the customers don't speak English, how will they understand the sign?"


If I'm in another country and it's got a poorly handwritten sign stuck on the front door, which mentions that country's name, I ain't gonna go in there brandishing my foreigninity.

Quote: "There is nothing evil about this sign, my warm and fuzzy friends, its a sign stating a fact and a request. Simple."

Dude - you know full well that "This is AMERICA" wasn't written with factual intent. It smacks of beligerant patriotism. Don't get me wrong, we have our own very similar issues here (remember the "No St George's flags", anyone?) but I think you're trying to sugarcoat it a little too much.

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Eric T
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:38
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Neofish brings up a great point: It's THEIR SHOP. Its not your shop, It's GENO'S SHOP. He (as in the company, I will refer to it as He though) has the right to sell to who he wants, he doesn't have to sell to everybody. He does have standards to uphold, but those standards don't say "please every person in america if they're legal, illegal, or whatever."

If he doesn't want to serve people who don't speak english since it takes forever for them to figure out what they want slowing down and hurting their business, so be it.

Of course, the lot of you seem to be against the freedom of enterprise, speech, and thought, eh?

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Michael S
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:39
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It says in the article i belive that they help them order in english.
Quote: "When a non-English speaking customer showed up at the window a short time later, a clerk patiently coached him through the process. Eventually, both said “cheesesteak.”"


So they might be trying to help. but it dosent matter how mad people get, he has the right to put the sign up, its his busniss and if that person wants to take a risk like that they have that right.

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Bahamut
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:40 Edited at: 12th Jun 2006 23:43
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Quote: "This sign is pretty straight foward, it should stay, its not innapropriate, and if the non-english speakers want to order a god damn cheese steak, then they should either learn english, get a translator, or get out."



And as an American, do you learn other languages when going to other countries? If you do, I'll bet the owners of that resturant don't. I'm ashamed to admit that I barely even try*. I've never had even a remote grasp of a foreign language (except for being able to describe the route from my front door to my room )


*This is due to incidents involving pointing and laughing at my bad attempts affecting my confidence.....

[edit]

I'm not actually contesting the right to put up the sign. I'm just calling them a bunch of hipocrites.

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Eric T
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:43
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I went to mexico once and whenever I went to a shop, unless I heard the shop owner speaking english, I would try my damndest to speak in spanish. It might not have been good spanish, but it was a lot easier for them to understand then if I were to mumble on in english.

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adr
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:43 Edited at: 12th Jun 2006 23:44
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It's a shame that Mr Locky Chu is en route. I do enjoy our transatlantic jaunts, but they always end up so aggressive.

-- EDIT

That wasn't directed at anyone yet in particular, you can just bet your ass it's gonna go down from hnaa.

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Eric T
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:45
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I don't see anything hostile about the conversation, I see 2 different types of views discussing their views and opinions on a sign. I'd be highly dissapointed if it were locked, since I usually seem to find this forum more liberal on subject of opinionated arguement.

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Tinkergirl
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:49
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*sighs* We're not saying he has to serve everyone - heck, most shops I know have a little sign somewhere that says "Management has the right to refuse service with no reason" or similar.

Should they have signs saying:

"This is a BUSY SHOP: If you stutter, GET LOST!"
"Our customers are IN A HURRY: Can't decide? Then FECK OFF!"
"We don't know what is IN OUR FOOD: NO ALLERGY SUFFERERS HERE."
"In a wheelchair? WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO HELP YOU."
"This is AMERICA: Please BE NATIVE AMERICAN."

Would they be ok too? I mean, freedom of enterprise, speech and thought, eh?
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Eric T
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Posted: 12th Jun 2006 23:56 Edited at: 12th Jun 2006 23:57
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Quote: ""This is a BUSY SHOP: If you stutter, GET LOST!""


"Fi...Fi...Fi.. SH ...St... ST....ST... ST..... ST.... FISH... STICKS!!"

You know how much time that takes up? If your wasting time,creating massive lines, losing business, you know what, get out! Its a world of money.

Quote: ""Our customers are IN A HURRY: Can't decide? Then FECK OFF!""


Yes, lets pull a good ol Father Jack and tell em to FECK OFF!" Do you want the chicken, or the beef? The chicken sounds appealing...maybe the pork. Man, look at the time roll by its been 4 minutes now... wow... I'm sitting here, and people are forming a line around the block... maybe I should order something"

Quote: ""We don't know what is IN OUR FOOD: NO ALLERGY SUFFERERS HERE.""


Thats a whole different subject.

Quote: ""In a wheelchair? WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO HELP YOU.""


If I owned a step store, your damn right I'd have this sign in my front door. In big red bold letters.

Quote: ""This is AMERICA: Please BE NATIVE AMERICAN.""


They know english... NOW! Even though we kinda screwed em over, atleast they got with the damn program.

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Tinkergirl
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 00:01
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I'm glad we understand each other then. Probably don't like each others methods or ideologies - but understanding at least. Have a nice life.
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Jeku
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 00:15
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Quote: "Heck, they built Genos too... their grandparents or whatever were Italian immigrants. And to put up a sign like this in an immigrant neighborhood is, imo, a serious slap in the face."


Matt--- you're the one that linked to this article, and you didn't even read it? He said his grandparents came here and had to struggle to learn English, so he said people nowadays should learn it too.

I honestly don't have any problem with the sign, as I agree that people who live in America should at least know how to communicate in English. If I go to France I can't expect all the small restaurant employees to understand English, should I? Like Eric T said, I should at least try to speak French in THEIR OWN country.

Nowadays people get offended waaaayyyy too easily. I swear people look for ways to get their panties in a twist, just to get on TV with their pickets and their loudspeakers. Don't people have anything better to do?

If you're offended, then don't buy cheese steaks from their store

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Agent Dink
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 00:19
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I am by no means racist, and I don't care who lives in America... But for heaven's sake, learn the country's standardized language, or if your just visiting, get a guide, or a (your language) to english dictionary, and be prepared with what you want to say. Though his sign is harsh, I agree with the general message. If I decided to move to Japan, I would try to learn the language before I got there, at least to a basic level. I certainly wouldn't move to Japan expecting everyone to understand English the rest of my life.


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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 00:32 Edited at: 13th Jun 2006 00:35
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So where is this retarded bar, it might be my ticket to America so I can touch up my German and order some Japanese beer.

I think it is disgraceful how people are being so racist about imigration in the UK and US, I don't see how people can be so retarded about foriegners and can't get it in their head that UK and USA are multi culture countries, they always have been, no one is truly English or American because the doors have been open to foreigners for generations, hence the English Language is made up of many differant world language from past and present, and why English is the most widely learnt language, but you're right to say that retarded, because it is, I bet they've gone to Italy only knowing Bonjiourno. And why is it these people are intolerable if they have to talk to a person who doesn't speak a word of English, I served a French woman when I had a job, I can't speak French, yet it was pretty damn easy to serve her, even in a bar, they name the drink, you give it to them, they pay you give the change...

This is effed up, in the two most free countries in the world, well its exactly free is it? I mean I've been to Germany, its so much nicer and tolerant than the UK or USA, nice people, friendly, less tight around the groin and non-workaholics, I mean no businesses are open on Sundays.

What these racists are, they think that because you're a differant nationality your completely differant, if you're middle eastern, you'r a terrorist, effs me off, we as individuals are differant, not as races...I think people should grow up and realise that the earth is one country and we're all Earthicans (I know Earthicans as in Futurama ) have bottle fights with drunk Arabs, hug an Iraqi when your favourite team wins a match...

Also in the words of Henry Rollins (From Saturday)
America is full of really great people, we're all not the KKK and 99.99999999% of America is full of great people, its just poorly run! (How does that relate, well I'm not going to start an argument to how I think it relates, as I'm sure some people here hate Henry Rollins)


[edit]

Sorry for this speech, or rant or whatever, just had one of those moments spark off

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David T
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 00:36
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Quote: "Do you not remember at the start of the Iraq war, when the Bush administration started a "smear" campaign against the French for vetoing military action? Admittedly, it wasn't very serious, but the American President was reported to have eaten "Freedom Toast" that morning. "


Sorry, yes I did first see it when there was the Bush smear campaign because the French wouldn't help invade a country. I was referring to a few years ago, just having first seen it just then.

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Bahamut
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 00:42
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Quote: "I agree that people who live in America should at least know how to communicate in English. If I go to France I can't expect all the small restaurant employees to understand English, should I? Like Eric T said, I should at least try to speak French in THEIR OWN country.
"


Yes, people going on holiday to another country should at least try to learn the language. But they don't. Most British and american people hold the view that "they all speak English, so why bother to learn?" So when an American resturant puts up a sign to ask people to speak in English, it is one of the most hipocritical things I've ever heard. It may be that the owners are multilingual, but then, why put up the sign in the first place?

I'd be the first to admit that I failed languages, but at least I don't ask people to speak english when on holiday.

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TDP Enterprises
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 00:51 Edited at: 13th Jun 2006 00:51
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My dad is an immigrant from Germany. Right after moving here, he leanred english within three months. When i was born he made it a priority for me to learn english and to not speak german around me. I dont see anything wrong with this guy's actions. The tram we have downtown has the instructions in 27 different languages, am i the only one that if you live in america, you should speak english, or at least know it?

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Freddy 007
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 01:00
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Quote: "am i the only one that if you live in america, you should speak english, or at least know it?"


If you live there, learn the language. If you're just there on a holiday, then you can't expect people to learn a new language, just because they're staying there for a week or two. With the countries I've been too, I should have been speaking about 8 different languages.


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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 01:01
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@Musashi - This has nothing to do with racism It doesn't say "if you're Chinese, then you're not welcome." You see, people like you get too upset and want to read into things more than they really are.

It might be--- what do you call it--- languagism? Hehehe. Dude, not only white people speak English.

*Obviously* there would be no problem if a foreigner went in and just said "cheese steak". But when they start speaking Spanish or whatever, expecting the employee to understand what they're saying, then that's the problem.

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Eric T
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 01:05
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May I note, a large set of the people who work in cheesesteak stands are black?

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CattleRustler
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 01:22 Edited at: 13th Jun 2006 01:24
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Matt
1) stop starting these borderline political threads which start to go down hill. you've been here long enough to know whats ok and whats not, or rather, where borderline items will go.
2) be momentarily ashamed that the neocon right wing has succeeded in steering you away from whats important(illegal wars, spying on citizens, lying to congress, and countless other impeachable offenses) to dwell on ethnic diversity/immigration related issues. focus.

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Saikoro
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 05:03
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If a store is allowed to have "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" signs, then what exactly is wrong with the one that they have? Sure, some people were born into a family which speaks a language, but others cannot afford shoes or shirts =) so why is it okay to class discriminate but not race?

I would put the CR "I poster AFTER this was locked" pic but i CBA.

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dab
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 05:09
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If the people who can't speak English, I'm sure they won't know how to read English. So, how would they know what the sign says?

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TDP Enterprises
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 05:11
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I still find it amazing that people who cant speak, read, or understand english are allowed to have a driver's liscense...

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Steve J
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 05:15 Edited at: 13th Jun 2006 05:16
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Or are citizens, as one of the requirements of becoming a citizen is learning english. Tbh, I dont care. Really. People can be arsed to do things and protest about someone elses opinions, then I think they should have a counter protest, protesting the protesters. Why all the ruccus over a sign? One company's opinion. Seriously people do you care that much? ( Or Maybe I grew up on a more peaceful easy going area, making me not care as much)

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Flindiana Jones
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 05:33 Edited at: 13th Jun 2006 05:34
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[edit] Heh, someone had my idea before I posted...oh well.

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dark coder
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 06:08
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well i see no problem with this, if i went to mexico/spawn/france or whatever i wouldent expect them to serve me if i couldent speak a word of there language,

@musashi, how can you call this racism? and yes us/uk are multi cultural countries but have you really seen some areas? :/, cause there are lots of places where people cant speak a word of english or atleast seem that way and imo they shouldent be allowed to live in the country if they either dont speak or arent learning the language.

Hallowed are the ori.
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Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 07:20
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Quote: "I'd expect something this moronically offensive appearing in the south or in Texas or something, but Philly?"


Nice. Your entire point is valid enough without the jab at Texas and the south. The bottom line, quite obviously, is that people anywhere can be stupid.


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ionstream
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 07:27
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No, if you're gonna live in America, you'd better know English. It's even required to become a citizen, but most companies don't want to do an English-only thing because they'll lose business from the illegal immigrant population!

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Steve J
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 07:32
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@cash: W00t! I wasnt the only one offended by that statement!

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Matt Rock
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 07:46
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First of all, thanks to Cattle for re-opening this thread. Finally my complaining has accomplished something, hehe. But anyway, onto to the reason why I wanted this open:

to DEMAND in such an offensive way that people need to speak english makes me wish I paid attention in French class just so I could annoy them This country is supposed to be free from stuff like this. The arguement that they own the shop and they should be allowed to hang up anything they want doesn't work here... think about that for a second. If you don't like gay people, should you be allowed to not serve them? If you don't like black or yellow or brown or orange or blue people, should you be allowed to not serve them?

Philadelphia is a melting pot. Being that it was the center of this country for a long time and the largest city until New Amsterdam changed its name to New York, it's obvious that immigrants are going to move there. And when Geno's grandparents came to the United States, I'm sure they didn't speak english everywhere they went. My point is, I've NEVER met an immigrant in my entire life (and there's LOTS where I live, from all over the place) who didn't/ isn't trying their best to learn the language, and to say you won't serve someone until they DO learn the language is just silly. I hate Dave Matthews Band... if I owned a restaurant and put up a sign that read "This is MY RESTAURANT: You CANNOT listen to Dave Matthews Band in here, even on your walkman/ discman/ ipod" you wouldn't think that was wrong if you were a fan of his music?

Introduce me to a single immigrant, legal or illegal, who isn't trying to learn the english language. Please? I've never met one, probably never will. Most of us go to foreign nations and slaughter their language, but we make a valid attempt as best as we can (well, not all of us, but most of us I'd hope). So what makes us deserve the right to give it our best, but not immigrants coming to our country? If someone can explain that to me, then I'll stop arguing in favor of the immigrants

btw, a cheesesteak is, for the less-initiated, a bunch of chopped up steak with cheese, mushrooms, and onions thrown together on a sub roll. Very tasty.

@ Curtiss: I wasn't trying to "jab" at the south. I've seen signs like that in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Mississippi, and I honestly wasn't surprised by them, henceforth why I said what I said about the south. It's a fact that 2/3rds of the population in the south are, for whatever reason, less tolerant than people in the north. Why? I'll never know. It's always been like that and it's like that today, and I shouldn't need to back that up with links because it seems pretty obvious. I'm not saying southerners are bad people, I'm just saying that I've seen those signs and it's a fact that in the south people are less tolerant... most of the southerners I've met in my lifetime didn't like any "fur-in-ers ruinin' their country" (that's a direct quote, lol)


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Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 08:04
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Quote: "2/3rds of the population in the south are, for whatever reason, less tolerant than people in the north"

That's scientific.

Quote: "most of the southerners I've met in my lifetime didn't like any "fur-in-ers ruinin' their country" (that's a direct quote, lol)"

We must hang out at different places. Most everyone I know are normal, educated people that don't talk like rednecks. But hey, what do I know, I'm just from there.


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dark coder
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 08:32
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@matt, the sign isnt asking them become fluent in the language just to order things in english, why is there such an uproar for something so basic? if i owned a store and i had people that i couldent understand coming in there on a daily basis i wouldent want them in there.

Hallowed are the ori.
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Saikoro
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Posted: 13th Jun 2006 08:37 Edited at: 13th Jun 2006 08:39
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Quote: "If you don't like gay people, should you be allowed to not serve them? If you don't like black or yellow or brown or orange or blue people, should you be allowed to not serve them?"

Those things cannot be changed (unless you're Michael Jackson). However, ANYONE can learn a new language.

Quote: "I hate Dave Matthews Band... if I owned a restaurant and put up a sign that read "This is MY RESTAURANT: You CANNOT listen to Dave Matthews Band in here, even on your walkman/ discman/ ipod" you wouldn't think that was wrong if you were a fan of his music?"

If a customer listened to Dave Matthews, that wouldn't slow down your sales at all. [EDIT]No Dave Matthews jokes I'm trying to be serious.[/EDIT]

Quote: "It's a fact that 2/3rds of the population in the south are, for whatever reason, less tolerant than people in the north."

Well I'm going to have to pull a Jeku on this one and ask for the links anyway, because I've been to the South many times (my moms family is from there) and have talked to many people down there and I'd say about maybe 2 people had some kind of racist holier-than-thou attitude. I can assure you that I talked to more than three people. I think the one and only reason why you can be such a left winged fighter pilot is that you assume so much about people. But facts are what make the world go round, show em.

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