I am not from Pennsylvania; I am from Texas. So I can only write about this as a transplant citizen. I would like to recount an experience I had in South Philly recently. As the reader likely recalls, Geno’s Steaks generated controversy in 2006 with the sign stating to customers that “This Is America: When Ordering Please ‘Speak English’.”
I live just north of Geno’s; and, to me, the sign seemed to be a response to the burgeoning Hispanic presence in the area. In 2006, the Philadelphia Daily News quoted Joe Vento, proprietor, as stating “This was a predominantly Italian neighborhood, and for some reason it’s turning Mexican…They’re not speaking the language. It’s a big problem, and it’s getting worse.” This was in reference to a complaint about the sign from Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. That is as much as I know about the controversy.
Last week, my friend Jose and his wife came town for a visit. They were excited to try some cheesesteaks from Pat’s and Geno’s. We initially ate at Pat’s. Jose and his wife ordered incorrectly, and the server made fun of them unmercifully but in good humor. Later, we went to Geno’s for comparison. Jose received cold, unfriendly stares. He ordered the sandwich incorrectly again, and the server snapped at him, telling him to order it “whiz wit!” The situation was a bit tense. I was surprised at the unexplained hostility, especially considering the cheerful demeanor of the Pat’s server. To top it off, the Geno’s cheesesteak was dry and flavorless. Pat’s had won that round in both quality and lack of hostility.
This situation was ambiguous and odd. My native Philadelphian friend, McMillain, reminded me that South Philly is known for that type if brash attitude, which might be mistaken for hostility. However, when comparing our experiences at Pat’s versus Geno’s, I felt this story was worth recounting. It seems to me that Geno’s does itself no favors by treating patrons with hostility and serving sub par cheesesteaks. I have ordered from Geno’s previously and never encountered that type of attitude.
Vento, like others before him, argues his position is simply a push for assimilation. That is fine and I understand that position; but why, then, do we repeatedly see these same people adopt a hostile posture towards the children of assimilated citizens who speak fluent English?
