Is this discrimination?

[theOperaGhost]

I don't really remember all of the details, but in our government class, we talked about a place in Philadelphia (I think) that had a sign that said something like, "if you don't speak English, we don't serve you" (sorry, I don't remember exactly what it said). Do you think this is discrimination?

I definitely don't feel that it is. I think it was a Philly Steak shop, and from my experience, they are very busy. Why should the employees be expected to try and figure out what a person is saying if they are speaking a language that they cannot understand? Of course that brings up the fact that there are foreign tourists, however I think that most tourists at least make an attempt to try and speak the correct language.

[Ryandel]

Ugh I was raised in a multicural environment, so I think it's somewhat discriminatory. But I will not lie. I am slightly racist againts some South Africans.

[Oblivion]

It IS his business, and i believe he can do what ever he wants with it, but its very rude IMO, and hes the one losing customers.

Not only people who don't speak English, but people like me, who wouldn't want to eat at a restaurant run by a rude bigot.

[mr.sexy_bomb]

wut u have no right 2 say that k u r super wrong u cant b like that step in their shoes 4 a moment eh my parents r mexican n they cant speak english so, they still as human as an american n nothing can change that k

[PrLatino93]

that is definitely discrimination. theres a lot people in my family that only speak spanish and i know they would find it offensive. the thing i dont get is why would they make a sign? if someone cant speak english, what makes you think they are gonna be able to read english??

[theOperaGhost]

I don't think that he meant it to be rude though. How are non-English speaking people supposed to be served well, if you can't understand what they want or are saying? So instead of trying to figure out what they want, just avoid the situation.

[Ryandel]

Avoid or solve the problem. Mind, a solution which will benefit all.

[theOperaGhost]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-12-14-cheesesteak-sign_N.htm

How is the problem going to solved if I may ask? Are all employees of this place supposed to learn every language so they can serve everybody? Maybe let them make their own food, no they came so that they didn't have to do that, plus that would bring up sanitary issues that I don't think the health department would like to much. I suppose this could be fixed, but there really isn't an easy solution.

[mr.sexy_bomb]

yeah may b he could pay a person that will traslate the persons that can speak english wut about that

[raiders rule]

I dont think it discrimination, if its really busy and someone is holding everyone up because they dont speak english then i dont think it is.

[theOperaGhost]

Axel, do you know how many languages there are? I know that Spanish would be the most common one and maybe all employees could be expected to learn Spanish, but what about other, less common languages? How many languages would this translator be expected to know, or how the fuck many extra people does this person have to pay to cover all of the languages. Because if you didn't have a translator that could cover every language, then wouldn't that be discriminatory to all of the uncommon languages?

[foof1]

No, it's not discrimination because it's not like they are saying they can't eat there because they hate nonenglish speakers.

[Kuervo]

i think it is discrimination because they are like only accepting ppl who speak english. all ppl should be accepted spnish speaking, french speaking, etc.

[theOperaGhost]

Ok...another link...I find this one is better than the last one. I also found that he never actually refused service to anyone nor does the sign say that he would.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23715954/

[serial-thrilla]

If its your own business you can make your own rules. I dont imagine theres a law against not serving none english speaking people.

[Sage]

What if a restaurant in Italy required you to speak Italian? Hmm?

[theOperaGhost]

You see, I've thought about that too, and like I said earlier, I think most tourists at least try to make an attempt to learn the language. I wouldn't go to a foreign country without having a basic knowledge of the language though anyway...EVER.

[Serenity]

Ok firstly lol he didn't openly refuse service. It was implied. The request for orders made in English was posted right above the sign saying the manager reserved the right to refuse business. Yeah, ok. :rolleyes:

That being said, I see nothing wrong with the sign whatsoever. If Spanish was an official language of the United States then yes, it would be the manager's responsibility to accommodate Spanish-speaking customers. However. America's language is English. "When in Rome." You can't just show up someplace and expect people to change everything around to fit you. I wouldn't walk into a shop in downtown Mexico City and throw a fit because the manager of the shop told me I needed to speak Spanish. I wouldn't demand that they speak English simply because a lot of English-speaking people go to Mexico City. That's ridiculous. Of course that's a gross generalization and is not meant to be at all offensive towards immigrants or whomever but I'm just saying. If you can't even speak enough English to order food from a cheesteak shop, you need to break out the dictionary. Everyone should at the VERY least have the basics needed to get by in every day society, even if they're not going to become fluent in the language.

Edit: Yeah, like Jared said ^^

[theOperaGhost]

Damn, Val...that is a wonderful post. rep+++++

[Antares]

Yes, it is. Unless the people posted it because they can't understand the people. What I am trying to say is that it is discrimination only if it is based off of hate. If they are simply unable to understand other people then no. Absolutely not, HOWEVER it is illegal to deny anyone service in America (Civil Rights) soo technically it doesn't matter but it is still ok to me as long as its not hate based.

[Serenity]

It's illegal to refuse service based on race, color, religion, and place of origin. There are many cases where a restaurant owner is completely and totally allowed by law to refuse service to a person or persons. Look it up.

[Gumleaf]

i think that if you are going somewhere as a tourist or whatever, its your responsibility to make the effort to be able to communicate in the language that the people there speak. they should not be expected to have to make major allowances for you. if i was going to china tomorrow i wouldn't expect that they should all have to speak english to suit me. if i want to communicate, i should at least learn some basic mandarin words and phrases and not rely on them to work things out. i think its just common courtesy if nothing else and definetly not discrimination.

[theOperaGhost]

Awesome post, Stephen. Rep+++++++

The owner didn't put the sign up out of hate. Plus, he didn't actually refuse service to anyone, he just posted the sign. And, this IS America. Our official language happens to be English, so if you are going to live here, you need to know the official language. Now if we were like Canada and had two official languages, then I would maybe consider that sign, which says to speak only English, to be discriminatory. I don't think he did anything wrong in the least.