Okay, but everyone is aware we have a serious Mexican (illegals) problem in the United States. This isn't the United States of Mexico, this is the United States of America. If they are going to be living here they should learn English. When I was down in FL we went to two different restaurants, and both times the people were clueless (and Mexican). They had no idea what we were saying and they couldn't speak a full sentence of English.
P.S. But honestly, if they can't speak English I would think they should be asked for a green card, and if they don't have it, deport! *Claps. None of this illegals running around in the streets protesting crap. That's B.S.
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First of all, this case is in Philly not Houston or Miami, so I don't think there is this massive immigration problem as there is elsewhere. Which is another why the sign is silly, because I don't think Mexicans or other foreigners are particularly fond of Philly Cheese Steaks. -I love 'em.
Secondly, Do you really think when a foreigner comes to a another country he DOESN'T want to learn the language? These immigrants are not REFUSING to speak English they CANNOT speak English. Do you have idea what kind of a handicap it is to be in a country when you DON'T speak the language? I do. Let me tell you from personal experience that when I arrived in Paris it was hard for me to understand because my French was far from perfect. But because French was the language at work I was forced (through the day-to-day routine) to get better at it. The best way to master a foreign language is to thrust your way into it by living abroad. Thats exactly what I tell my French colleagues that wish to improve their English.
These anti-immigrant sentiments are hardly anything new. From 1890 to 1930 there was a massive immigration from Ireland, Italy, Germany, China, Russia, and about 1/3 of the entire Eastern European population. Almost none of those people spoke English. And the xenophobia against them is the same we are feeling now against the Mexicans. Its simply a nasty bit of history repeating itself.
Thats why some of you should check your family roots. Because I bet some of your ancestors experienced the same prejudice when they got off the boat as the current illegals are facing now. This immigration issue is NOT new.
And like the early 20th century, many of these workers are clandestine they are not properly integrated into our society, they either choose or are forced stay within there own communities, it took a generation for these people to start to integrate.
When I worked in New York in retail, I told customers 'no hablo Espanol'. That was sufficent, I didn't need to lecture them about this being America blah blah blah. Its condesending and its obvious. Even to the uncultured of illegal immigrants, Everybody knows America is English speaking country.
