Yellow Page biggot

[ilovethisgame]

So, as I'm having my yellow page ad proofread I'm told "I don't think we can print this" It's seems that putting English speaking as part of my ad maybe deemed racist (sp?) I politely explianed to her I'm in a business where 99% of my clients speak english and 75% of my competition does not. BTW the reason I had this idea was most of the sales calls I go on I'm told how great it is to finally deal with someone that speaks english. I was told they'll get back to me tomorrow and let me know. I'd love some feedback. Remember I'm in CA where english is becoming our second language.

-Dave

[KenH]

Thats a good idea, and there are ways to get around it. ie " Third Generation American" under you name.

[KDJ]

How about United States citizen.

[lee b]

Talk about political correctness run amok, now it's considered racist to declare that you can actually speak the Offical Language of our country. If that's what it's like in California the sooner the big quake causes that state to fall into the ocean, the better off the rest of us will be. I would seriously consider moving to a better state, soon.

[John Allin]

I may be wrong (I often am), but I do believe that the USA has no "official" language.....

[KenH]

Thats the problem...

[bob]

Originally posted by KenH
Thats a good idea, and there are ways to get around it. ie " Third Generation American" under you name.

This sounds like a good idea. Also, if true, you might print"owner on all job sites".

[Mr_Marc]

U.S.A Born and Bred! When my family immigrated to this country in the early 1900’s they had to learn English as part of the citizenship test. No I’m not a racist but I do know that when I go out and someone waiting on me that can’t speak the language is quite irritating. No there is no official language of the United States, but at least I can communicate with my customers!

I’m not going to get into a pissing contest over this but the day the phone company started printing the phone book in three different languages I knew I was becoming the minority. The U.S.A. is one great melting pot as our ancestors realized along time ago. That’s what makes America a great country. Lot’s of opportunity for all.

Dave, make it clear you are providing a service to the community and you want them to know that you speak the native tong. I also see in the phone book Se Habla Espanola"-spelling"
I guess it’s only racist if you are an American…

[gslam88]

Lee I have to agree with John Allin, UNFORTUNATELY "American" (so that I am pc)is not the official language and so that we must spend millions of dollars in printing many things in multiple languages!!!

there is a way to save some money... but that is a whole other thread!!

I have no problem stating that I speak English....



Pete


English Speaking American Italian!


:blob4:

[Fantasy Lawns]

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JWCRAWFORD/langleg.htm#State

Although the USA has not "voted" an offical language (tried in 1981) ...many states have ....CA did in 1986

Really I don't know if we want this .... it would only open more doors for the lawyers .....(which is more than likely way Ma Bell is checking out the legal issues)

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2001/5/29/62653.shtml

[Mountain Gardener]

We wanted to make a Strong Statement in a newspaper help wanted ad a couple of years ago. In the ad we wanted to use the term "No Dope Heads". We were not allowed to because it might hurt somebody's feelings and they might sue paper and us.

[Tony Harrell]

The problem is, you're too close to Berkley(sp?). Irrational political correctness is rampant there I've heard. On the upside, you do live near Oakland and can see the future superbowl champion Raiders easier than I can so, it's a wash.

[roscioli]

Man, I hate to sound racist/sexist/whothehellcaresist but I hate these darn SOBs that come into our country and try to change the way WE live. NO, we will not take GOD out of our constitution, off our currency, or out of our lives. We will not allow you to cover your face for photo ID's. We will not speak your language because you think it is too hard to speak ours. We will not conform our ways of living to please you. YOU WILL CONFORM YOUR WAY OF LIVING IF YOU WANT TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. :angry: :angry: :angry: :blob2:

[gogetter]

Geez, I'm going to start keeping track of all the ads that I see/hear that make some sort of mention of "spanish speaking" somewhere in the ad.
Or it will have "se habla espanol" right in the ad!

Funny how we can have a B.E.T. channel on tv, but imagine if someone wanted to start a W.E.T. channel?! OH No! What a bunch of racists we are.

[ilovethisgame]

Thanks all now I don't feel so bad. Yeah this state is a joke I can't buy real 2 cycle tools and I can't advertise english to my prospective clients. BTW, Tony I can see the Coliseum from my house but, I can't see a game on TV because all those overrated old guys can't sell the the place out. To put it from my prospective I'll be yelling J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS come Sunday.

-Dave

[nu83]

The BET argument is the wrong argument to make if you are trying to make the case against political correctness. B.E.T started in a time where no black entertainment television was on air. It was the only channel to feature blacks and it served a good purpose. That is not the case today, so it would be absurd to start a W.E.T.

Also, don't think for a minute that the people trying to change the way we live in America are the immigrants. Most immigrants come to the US to be Americans, to live as Americans. If they wanted to keep their culture they would not leave their familes and everything they have ever known to come to the United States. Who then is trying to dilute our American culture? The multiculturalists, a left wing liberals who can not believe that one culture could possibly be superior to another. They dont want immigrants to become Americans. WHY? If immigrants are willing to leave their whole lives behind to become American, America must be a superior culture. What else could explain why the rest of the world wants to be American? Do you see the conflict?

How many immigrants were on the 4th circuit court of appeals that came down with the decision excluding under GOD from the pledge of allegiance? None.

[SLS]

1) Scan the Yellow Pages and count all the ads that state "se habla espanol".

2) Contact your local chapter of the ACLU and tell them you are being discriminated against....and show them the proof.

3) File the lawsuit against the Yellow Pages.

4) Retire in luxury.

:D

nu83:

I think you have hit the nail on the head!

[nu83]

I think the ACLU would be more likely to sue you for discriminating against spanish speaking customers.

[SLS]

I'll bet you're right.

[gogetter]

Originally posted by nu83
I think the ACLU would be more likely to sue you for discriminating against spanish speaking customers.

Oh brother!
:dizzy:

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I have seen in many phone book ads, "se habla espanol

Have them put "se habla englis" .

[Tony Harrell]

It's a good thing us white, anglo guys don't like to stir it up like some groups. We could really make it stink if we wanted to. Old guys? Yeah, but when they click, it's beautiful. Probably the last year for Jerry Rice and a few others. I'm gonna miss 'em.

[Gravely_Man]

I understand what you are trying to convey to potential customers unfortunately I do not have a politically correct way to suggest "I speak English fluently." Where you are located and from what you have described I believe you would find a nice niche. Best of luck to you.


Gravely_Man

[gslam88]

hummm,


What about Native American spoken here or Native English spoke here

or would that offend someone

[AztlanLC]

Spanish is my first lenguage english my second, I woulnd't find anyway offend it seeing an ad like that, the real problem here are the lawyers not the spanish spoken people, nowdays they find any stupid excuse to sue for, I'm even afraid to help someone out because I might get sue.

[CincyLawnCare]

First off, if they deny you the right to submit an ad in the yellow pages in the english language, that is breaking your constitution rights. When you next speak to someone from the Yellow pages, remind them that CA is still part of the US and not Mexico. Also remind her that if they deny you the right to print your ad in the language you want it, the next call regarding this issue will be from your lawyer. Don't be a prick about it, just let them know how serious you are and why you want it in English, that those are your customer base. If that all fails, mention that your lawyer firm is Johnny Cochran and Cheech Maron will be 2nd chair :)

[rodfather]

I know it isn't exactly the same, but there is a gas station not far from where I live that has a big red and white sign out front that says, ENGLISH SPOKEN HERE They don't seem to catch any flak from it and I haven't seen/heard any protests from foreigners.

So what is the big deal about saying you speak English in your Yellow Page ad? If English is not the "official" language of the United States of America, then what is...Ebonics?

BTW, didn't our forefathers speak and write the Constitition in english?

[bubble boy]

Originally posted by rodfather


BTW, didn't our forefathers speak and write the Constitition in english?

good point.

BTW we have two official languages. i don't know who is worse off, us or you.

[rodfather]

Originally posted by bubble boy
good point.

BTW we have two official languages. i don't know who is worse off, us or you.


bubble boy...I think it's about equal if it makes you feel any better.

[ilovethisgame]

Well I called back today it seems her proctologist called and managed to extract her head. All is well and my ad goes in as printed. Score one for the little guy. :D


-Dave

[tome8689]

Dave..Glad to hear all went well...the shame of it is that you had to even go through it ..I hate this era of political correctness!:blob2:

[Navig8r]

Glad to see it worked out.......... I was gonna suggest you ask them to print the ad with an apology....... something like "Sorry, we do not speak Spanish":D

[MPhillips]

I'm not going anywhere near the political side of this issue...However, It does seem to me that if a company has a distinct competitive advantage in being able to communicate in particular language then it ought to be advertised in the hope of attracting more business. If it's not an advantage, the market will let them know real quick. I know several shops by me that advertise with, "habla espanol"...that's a great thing. They don't discriminate against anyone else, they just say that they speak spanish...it works for them.

I think the Feds have designated an "official" language for our country too...they had to for the printing of government documents and such.

[bobbygedd]

wait, i love spanish chics. isnt it great, all that beauty and i cant understand a single word they are saying.

[Gravely_Man]

Dave, Please let us know how well this ad works out for you. This sounds like a marketing angle others may want to purse with you being the ginea pig.

Gravely_Man

[bubble boy]

what changed her mind? besides common sense?

[CincyLawnCare]

Originally posted by bobbygedd
wait, i love spanish chics. isnt it great, all that beauty and i cant understand a single word they are saying.

Does it matter what language they speak? Either way it goes in one ear and out the other :)

[cantoo]

Does it matter what language they speak? Either way it goes in one ear and out the other

CindyLawnCare, Canadian women have small ears the Spanish ones must be bigger?

[nelbuts]

You want a real joke? Florida passed the law as English as official language. Hahahahahaha! Our ballots are printed in three different languages in some counties. That is what happend in Miami/Dade County seems these little old ladies were getting ballots in Spanish and what ever but they didn't knowthe difference because they couldn't see to read!! Heck then they got in their cars and drove home!! Hahahaha!

Actually you can put "English Speaking". I f they tell you no then set down with them and go through thne phone book and make them remove every ad that says "Si habla espano". That will stop them in their tracks. Then if the ad is not what you signed off on don't pay for it. Make sure you get a copy and then your ad will be free.:D

[JimLewis]

Edited.....