Should Richmond, BC Have English Signs?

[maplesyrup]

English signs recommended for Richmond

Quebec sign language issue with a twist!

[shackwacky]

I have been to Richmond. Who really cares what language the signs are in?

[caesar]

Well, I think they should be required to have English or French signs. Those are our two official languages. Give them too much rope and they will want to declare Richmond to have special status and /or want to separate. I personally will never shop there again. My son and his friend were refused service and told "we don't serve your kind here" racial discrimination.

I am sure most shops would be happy to take our money but if even some have that attitude it is unacceptable; they would scream loud and hard if the shoe was on the other foot and they were refused service in a English Canadian shop.

[maplesyrup]

I like the bilingual sign idea, using at least one of Canada's official languages.

[ceemes]

Most of the business there are very receptive to the idea of bilingual signage.....if only to draw in more customers. Chinatown merchants have begun a programme to teach their non-english speaking staff english.

What most people don't want to see is some sort of government legislative language law ala Quebec.

[Slavik44]

Well, I think they should be required to have English or French signs. Those are our two official languages. Give them too much rope and they will want to declare Richmond to have special status and /or want to separate. I personally will never shop there again. My son and his friend were refused service and told "we don't serve your kind here" racial discrimination.

I am sure most shops would be happy to take our money but if even some have that attitude it is unacceptable; they would scream loud and hard if the shoe was on the other foot and they were refused service in a English Canadian shop.

I belive we here at Mapleleafe web like to call this systematic Racisim.

[maplesyrup]

Well, I think they should be required to have English or French signs.  Those are our two official languages.  Give them too much rope and they will want to declare Richmond to have special status and /or want to separate.  I personally will never shop there again.  My son and his friend were refused service and told "we don't serve your kind here"  racial discrimination.

I am sure most shops would be happy to take our money but if even some have that attitude it is unacceptable; they would scream loud and hard if the shoe was on the other foot and they were refused service in a English Canadian shop.

I belive we here at Mapleleafe web like to call this systematic Racisim.

Please try speaking for yourself.

[Argus]

I am sure most shops would be happy to take our money but if even some have that attitude it is unacceptable; they would scream loud and hard if the shoe was on the other foot and they were refused service in a English Canadian shop.

I belive we here at Mapleleafe web like to call this systematic Racisim.

Please try speaking for yourself.

Has any one else noticed this tendancy among the perpetually indignant towards humourlessness?

[August1991]

Has any one else noticed this tendancy among the perpetually indignant towards humourlessness?

Giggle, giggle.

I have discovered, through the Internet, that irony and sarcasm are difficult to express through words alone. We need a face. (I am told that young children are completely confused and then delighted by facetiousness.)

Most of the business there are very receptive to the idea of bilingual signage.....if only to draw in more customers. Chinatown merchants have begun a programme to teach their non-english speaking staff english.

It costs so little to post a sign and if there's money to made, it'll happen. I'd say, leave it alone.

What most people don't want to see is some sort of government legislative language law ala Quebec.

The issue in Quebec is very strange and complex as described in the 4th paragraph of this blog.

I have been to Richmond.

I don't know if I've been to Richmond. I've been to Vancouver. It rained both times, all the time I was there.

[caesar]

I don't know if I've been to Richmond. I've been to Vancouver. It rained both times, all the time I was there.

And if you ever come back; it will still probably be raining. We do sometimes get a dry spell in summer though.

Most of the business there are very receptive to the idea of bilingual signage.....if only to draw in more customers. Chinatown merchants have begun a programme to teach their non-english speaking staff english.

Where did you get that idea; if they were so receptive to the idea of English signs; why are there none. Who was stopping them?

I used to shop in Richmond quite often; no more since the "takeover" and the attitude of some merchants towards non Asians

[Stoker]

I used to shop in Richmond quite often; no more since the "takeover" and the attitude of some merchants towards non Asians

"Takeover"? Who took Richmond over?

[caesar]

I have been to Richmond. Who really cares what language the signs are in?

I do, You have been to Richmond? So does that make you an expert?????? This is Canada; we don't need our own Hong Kong here. They will be asking for special consideration just like Quebec. Nip it in the bud. We English speaking Canadians are quickly being drowned out by immigrants that are not getting any encouragement to learn to speak one of Canada's official languages.

[Stoker]

All Hail Caesar!!!!

If you looked in the dictionary under WASP, there would most likely be a picture of myself as anj example.......with that said, I have an aunt from Wuhan that teaches in West Vancouver........I never liked you before caesar, but your rascist tones have gone too far.

[caesar]

If you looked in the dictionary under WASP, there would most likely be a picture of myself as anj example.......with that said, I have an aunt from Wuhan that teaches in West Vancouver........I never liked you before caesar, but your rascist tones have gone too far

Racist my butt. Get a life. The shops and many shopkeepers there are racist. You don't have to be white to be racist.

[Stoker]

caesar Posted on Dec 11 2004, 09:39 PM

I do, You have been to Richmond? So does that make you an expert?????? This is Canada; we don't need our own Hong Kong here. They will be asking for special consideration just like Quebec. Nip it in the bud. We English speaking Canadians are quickly being drowned out by immigrants that are not getting any encouragement to learn to speak one of Canada's official languages.

Racist my butt. Get a life. The shops and many shopkeepers there are racist. You don't have to be white to be racist

O-K

[shackwacky]

I have been to Richmond. Who really cares what language the signs are in?

I do, You have been to Richmond? So does that make you an expert??????

Actually C, I lived in Richmond for about a year. The North South Roads are numbered and they are in English. The main East West roads are in English. No matter what they call the little streets and avenues, its hard to get lost in Richmond. IMHO

[caesar]

We are not talking about the road signs. It is is the shop signs in the large Asian Malls. Some of these shopkeepers refuse service to non Asians.

[shackwacky]

Sorry C, my mistake. Don't drink and post.

[caesar]

I am racist because I would like to keep Canada a bilingual country. We have our hands full with problems now with two languages. The only other that have rights to speaking their own language would be our first nation people here in Canada. People who immigrate here should be encouraged to learn our language if they wish to live in Canada and be Canadians. We pay enough money for programs of ESL programs. They should come here to join in our country whose languages are English and French. I do not deny them any rights to speak theri own language just that they should be encouraged and expect to learn our local languages if they wish to become Canadian citizens. They should not come to Canada if they are not willing to become true Canadians and accept our languages and show loyalty to their new country. If they wish to carry on with their former languages and politics; stay where they were. We don't need more divisions in this country. I do advocate that we Canadians should learn Chinese languages in that it may be needed if one wishes to work in commerce and trade with China.

[theloniusfleabag]

I am personally against any 'language laws', especially sign-language ones(sic). Business is business. If I wish to own a store with nothing but Sanskrit on the sign, and only accept the Zloty or the Tugrik as currency, that should be my own call. It would be a bad call, in my estimation, but I should be free to make it. If people choose not to shop at my store, then it would be my own fault. If they do, then fine. If Asian markets lose 'white' or any customers because of their signage, it's their loss. I think all sign laws should be scrapped, and let the owners decide what is right for their business.

[caesar]

If people choose not to shop at my store, then it would be my own fault. If they do, then fine. If Asian markets lose 'white' or any customers because of their signage, it's their loss. I think all sign laws should be scrapped, and let the owners decide what is right for their business.

Generally, I would agree but this is getting to be too large in Richmond and could lead to another large special interest group. We would be in big trouble as English speaking Canadian if we refused to serve someone because of their race; however, this is getting to be very common in the Asian stores and some restaurants. Why should they be allowed to refuse us service because of our race. I went to a local restaurant (IN Vancouver) it was early in the evening, no one was in the restaurant except lots of staff and they just completely ignored us. I have since watched and have notice that there is never any caucasiand in the restaurant. We left and went where we would be served. They would scream racism if we refused to serve them; why should they think it is okay to refuse us service.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear caesar,

We left and went where we would be served. They would scream racism if we refused to serve them; why should they think it is okay to refuse us service.

First of all, I think you should avoid the terms 'them' and 'us', it smacks of prejudice, something you are claiming is wrong.

Secondly, you left the restaurant, and went elsewhere, something that no real business can thrive on for long.

You could always make some sort of claim or charge, although I am not sure how this procedure works. I would first contact your local police and ask for direction on how to proceed. Then, you would have to decide whether it is worth your time and effort to pursue such a matter.

[caesar]

Why should I not use them and us. Why repeat Asian and English speaking persons over and over. It is clumsy and not the way we speak normally. Why should we be overly sensitive and politically correct all the time. The Asians don't tip toe around us. A friend and fellow shopkeep is Korean; she wouldn't even go and see her new born granddaughter because its mother was not Korean. Her son married a non Korean girl. This is their second child. The husband said the little boy finally won their hearts but it took quite a while. These people are very nice people but still they do not want to mix with the others not of their own race. I don't judge them but I do feel sorry for their daughter in law and grandchidren and their son, too. Gradually they are learning to accept his decision. I wouldn't be upset or unhappy if my son married a girl not of our race or religion; my concern would be that they were happy together and treated each other well and gave me lots of grandchildren.

[maplesyrup]

Seriously what would you do about signage if you were an Asian shopkeeper in Richmond, BC?

I know what I would do - I would design signage that would appeal to as many potential customers as possible.

On the other hand I have concerns about immigrants coming to Canada and not learning one of our official languages, so maybe Canada needs to insist upon at least one official language on a sign.

Whatever if you are hungry you will find a way to eat. I remember being in Tokyo and all the signage was in Japanese, that most North Americans cannot read nor speak. The Japanese solved the problem by having pictures of the different food dishes in both the windows and in the menus. When you were ready to order you just pointed to the picture of what you wanted to eat.

[caesar]

I wouldn't have a problem with a small mom and pop neighbourhood shop having only Chinese signs but these are large shopping malls and this is Canada. Our languages is officially English and French. English is no longer a majority language here in the greater Vancouver area. When people immigrate to Canada and seek citizenship; they are no longer Chinese or Koreans; they are Canadians and should learn rhe Canadian language(s). I understand the older people who come to join their families may not be able to learn so easily. However, many come to Canada and educate their children in schools that teach in their old homeland's language, only.

Do they really want to be Canadians?