|
.jpg)
Ordering at Geno's en Español
by
Aaron Couch | 09.10.2006
A group of Philly residents tried to order from South Philly icon Geno's Steaks on Saturday in languages other than English. Geno's refused their order and called the cops. 
The stunt to confront the intolerance of Geno's 'English only' sign drew close to a dozen participants who ordered cheese steaks in Spanish and French. Geno's employee Jimmy Reds responded by irately pounding his hand against the counter and repeatedly telling those ordering to "set the bets" before calling for the police. "Set the bets"?!? No one there could understand what he was saying either. The irony of Jimmy Reds' unintelligible response spewn from a window stickered with 'SPEAK ENGLISH' speaks for itself. It also highlighted what the event organizer described as the establishment's "ridiculousness on so many levels." The South Philly resident anonymously called for a flash mob to converge on Geno's through an email forward which circulated around blogs and list serves. Geno's 'English only' policy had become international news earlier this year. The stunt may not have been a watershed in Philly civil rights history but that wasn't the point. The organizer took a more nuanced attitude toward the event acknowledging that many restaurants in the city could not take orders in languages other than English but would at least make the attempt. "The point isn't to communicate what it means to order food but to communicate 'fuck your attitude'."' He admitted the action was inherently political, yet it was also "social and cultural." The idea for the protest came to him while giving Italian friends a tour of the city. When he brought them to Geno's for cheese steaks they saw the sign and left in anger. "We're trying to prove a point that they are discriminating against people who don't speak English," added participant Leslie Salazar. Police in uniform as well as civil affairs officers who were tipped off to the event were present though no problems arose. Some of those ordering in other languages were served though not what they had asked for. Both Geno's and Pat's, it's competitor across the street, put an emphasis on speaking quickly and in fluent South Phillyese when ordering ("Whiz wit" will get you a steak sandwhich with cheese whiz and onions) which is part of the genesis of the sign. Geno's outspoken owner Joey Vento has been accused of forgetting his roots as his grandfather immigrated to the U.S. in the early 20th century and did not speak English. A recent study shows that Hispanics are learning English faster than previous waves of immigrants. City Paper's Rachel Frankford confronted Jimmy Reds asking him why he wouldn't serve those who'd ordered in Spanish but was rebuffed. When he refused to answer any questions about the incident she left telling him vous me faites fachier. |
|
© 1999–2008 Philadelphia Independent Media Center |
|
Unless otherwise stated by the author, all content is free for non-commercial reuse, reprint, and rebroadcast, on the net and elsewhere. Opinions are those of the contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by PhillyIMC.
|
Comments
Geto overo it
Submitted by foreigner (not verified) on Mon, 09/11/2006 - 11:19amLearn English! My wife did, why can't you? By the way, this is America.
My Polish, Russian, Argentenian, Vietnamese, Honduran.....friends who live here learned english. Why can't you? When I visit a foreign country, I try to speak the language.
Boo Hooo
Nice Work
Submitted by Ruby Legs (not verified) on Mon, 09/11/2006 - 2:20pmWay to point out the hypocrisy of these idiots (including the previous commented who also seems to be unable to write in English) who are entirely unable to speak English themselves. I'm sure the idiots that work behind the counter at Geno's would not even be able to pass the citizenship test, let alone speak a word of proper English.
A true hero!
Submitted by wizwit (not verified) on Mon, 09/11/2006 - 9:16pmIt's pretty obvious, by looking at Geno's lifestyle, that the steakmaker doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself, doesn't care about his history or for that matter, the environment. Who the heck needs a hummer in South Philly?
A true patriot, that Geno. He learned english and everything, not like his grand parents didn't struggle with the same things new immigrants face.
Please, do not support Geno's. Besides Pat's is better and doesn't need the neon lights and glitter to dress up their steaks.
RE: A true hero!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/03/2008 - 12:56pmA true hero, you say? Rather, a true hoagie!! :D See what lengths people go to when appropriate to speak the language or dialect of an unfamiliar place? Not at all difficult when the effort is made. I'm actually from western Massachusetts, and I refer to such sandwiches in my everyday lingo as either "subs" or "grinders." They may be used interchangeably, often a "grinder" to some means a submarine sandwich with toasted bread. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. I prefer to use differing terms when in a particular destination, as I would call a sub sandwich by the "proper" name in Philly a hoagie. Also, a steak sandwich with cheese a cheesesteak. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
RE: A true hero!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/03/2008 - 12:58pmA true hero, you say? Rather, a true hoagie!! :D See what lengths people go to when appropriate to speak the language or dialect of an unfamiliar place? Not at all difficult when the effort is made. I'm actually from western Massachusetts, and I refer to such sandwiches in my everyday lingo as either "subs" or "grinders." They may be used interchangeably, often a "grinder" to some means a submarine sandwich with toasted bread. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. I prefer to use differing terms when in a particular destination, as I would call a sub sandwich by the "proper" name in Philly a hoagie. Also, a steak sandwich with cheese a cheesesteak. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
set the bets
Submitted by Jaime Mezu (not verified) on Tue, 09/12/2006 - 7:54ama shame this didn't turn out with the attendance many hoped. but regardless, this was a good thing in my opinion.
boycott freedom fries/cop backrubbing/ignorant geno's.
here here for pat's and falone's!
Why the world hates us
Submitted by Spencer (not verified) on Tue, 09/12/2006 - 9:57amThe comments that the previous morons have written are exactly why the rest of the world hates us. When I hear the poor english that we speak here in this country, I find it amazing that all of a sudden we get so nationalistic about our language.
In other countries students are forced to learn multiple languages and can speak better than we can.
This whole news cycle is simply a way for people to justify bigotry - nothing more than that
Get the Waaaaambulance
Submitted by Cerberus (not verified) on Sat, 09/16/2006 - 6:42amHey if you new to the USA I can understand if you dont speak the local linog...but if you have been here a few years then there is no reason not to learn hoe to order in english.
The man just wants to sell a sangwidge..
Submitted by Zeee (not verified) on Sun, 09/24/2006 - 4:35amThe man wants to make & sell his goods, and we're gonna blame him for wanting to be able to understand people when they want his food?! The man is asking for understanding and compassion. Give the man a break already.
I'm sure English is his second language, so he knows how hard it is to learn and make your way in America.
I agree that he could be more tolerant, cook up what he thinks they need & all be happy.
Tolerance of each other is so rare these days. Everyone has their own reasons why we can't just get along.
But can't we let a Man make a sangwidge anymore widout?
Post new comment