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Pizza Patrón Giving Away Free Pizzas to Spanish Speakers: Fair or Foul?

SodaHead Living 2012/05/24 21:00:00
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Hablas español? You're in luck. Pizza Patrón, a pizza chain headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is giving away 80,000 large pepperoni pizzas on June 5 to customers who order in Spanish. And not everybody is happy about it, USA Today reports.

pizza patron

"It seems to punish people who can't speak Spanish, and I resent that," Peter Thomas, chairman of the Conservative Caucus, which advocates English as the nation's spoken language, tells USA Today. "In public areas, people should be speaking English, and that includes pizza parlors."

But Andrew Gamm, brand director at Pizza Patrón, says the move is exactly what it appears to be -- a publicity stunt. And a smart one at that: 70 percent of Pizza Patrón's customer base is Spanish-speaking. "It makes perfect sense for us," Gamm tells the paper. "We're trying to make our bond with the Hispanic community stronger." We're not really sure what the big fuss is about... anyone can go on the Internet and figure out how to order a pizza in Spanish. Do you find the giveaway offensive?
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Top Opinion

  • Kigan 2012/05/24 22:04:03 (edited)
    Foul
    Kigan
    +38
    So...discrimination is cool as long as it fits into certain criteria, such as being against English speakers?

    If they said English speaking customers only, there would be hell to pay.

    This is why English needs to be declared the official language. Anywhere else requires you to learn the language or have someone assist in translation...or at least use a translating dictionary. Here it seems a trend to expect the country to accommodate the other languages so they don't have to learn ours.

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  • KaylaE EmoMcPa... 2012/05/29 01:58:08
    KaylaE
    +1
    I do know that and I don't think it's a bad thing but I do have some 'issues' with the speaking Spanish thing because in a lot of states in the US it has become a Requirement to take at least one Spanish class in order to graduate college. I feel like if it's such a problem to communicate then why can't they take a class or two on how to communicate with people who only speak English? I didn't move to a different country. I know it might sound mean and I don't mean to come off like that I have family that came here from Germany and only spoke German but they did take time to learn English and they can speak both now. And I do think it's a great thing to know multiple languages, I just think you should be able to choose which one and not be discriminated against because you can't speak a certain one
  • EmoMcPa... KaylaE 2012/05/29 02:23:48
    EmoMcParland
    +1
    I was merely making a point with no I'll will intended & none taken. I understand; your point; & at times can be frustrating.
  • KaylaE EmoMcPa... 2012/05/29 19:56:40
    KaylaE
    Sorry if it came off like I was being 'mean' or something I was actually agreeing with you And kind of explaining why I said my original statement as well
  • EmoMcPa... KaylaE 2012/05/30 00:34:09
  • wildcat 2012/05/28 20:31:50
    Fair
    wildcat
    It is their damned pizza, they can do with it what they want. Who really cares, who they give their pizza to.
  • Stan We... wildcat 2012/05/28 21:09:43
    Stan Weinstein
    +1
    It's also a public business. What if they said 'black people can't get a free pizza' or only people with blue eyes can get a free pizza - that's PREJUDICE!!!
  • wildcat Stan We... 2012/05/28 21:10:37
    wildcat
    +1
    No it isn't, it's called promoting your business, just like giving senior citizens a discount.
  • George-2 Stan We... 2012/05/28 21:24:25
    George-2
    It's plain 'publicity'. Proof? Look at the fuss it caused only in SodaHead. Nothing hidden, just a publicity trick to become more popular. In other parts of the world it's also done with different languages and nobody gets xenophobic.
  • M. Aronson Stan We... 2012/05/29 00:54:13
    M. Aronson
    Please find my earliest comments above. Any business can do what they want as long as they don't break the law. We have to have a little wiggle room, however, or else we wouldn't have "senior discounts," "ladies' night," etc. The business' rules have to be applied fairly. So, you can't offer a senior citizens discount while not allowing someone with green eyes or brown skin to get it.
  • Christiaan McPherson 2012/05/28 20:12:57
    Fair
    Christiaan McPherson
    People should know at least three languages. Anyone with half a brain could call up and order in Spanish after spending 5 min on the internet. It's a private company and they can do what they please. It hurts no one...only a racist would be offended by this.
  • toots Christi... 2012/05/28 21:12:55
    toots
    Obama says make if fair for everyone, Is this fair?
  • El Prez 2012/05/28 19:41:46
    Fair
    El Prez
    +1
    Hey! Their Pizza, their rules. Besides, hablo un poco Espanol and I could get a free one. Idiots are as idiots do and the guy who wants to make English the official language has an ax to grind. Who else complained, Ran Paul?
  • Happy_Evil_Dude 2012/05/28 19:41:29
    Fair
    Happy_Evil_Dude
    There are promotions for pregnant women, promotions for pet owners and now promotions for people who speak Spanish. So what? It'w not as if saying "Un pizza con pepperoni por favor" is hard, is it? The real question is why Pizza Patron's logo looks like a cross between Pizza Hut and KFC, now that's a controversy worth starting.
  • Stan We... Happy_E... 2012/05/28 21:44:59
    Stan Weinstein
    And what if someone had a promotion for dog owners and they they said only dogs with a pedigree could get free dog treats. Don't tell me that you wouldn't feel offended if your dog was a mutt - of course you would.
  • Happy_E... Stan We... 2012/05/28 22:34:41
    Happy_Evil_Dude
    +1
    This situation is more akin to saying "only dog owners can get this promotion", which I might feel annoyed at, but certainly not offended...
  • M. Aronson Happy_E... 2012/05/29 00:55:36
    M. Aronson
    +1
    I like that distinction, Happy - annoyed vs. offended. Excellent!
  • Nate Hubert 2012/05/28 19:40:17
    Fair
    Nate Hubert
    It's not like we have a national language here. And it's not like it's discriminating against non-Spanish speakers... They're rewarding multiculturalism. Good for them.
  • toots Nate Hu... 2012/05/28 21:13:54
    toots
    +2
    The only problem is so many people aren't multicultural, they live and speak in Spanish, and have not intention of becoming Americanized.
  • Nate Hu... toots 2012/05/28 21:40:17
    Nate Hubert
    I don't see that as a problem; for example, by "Americanized," I'm sure you meant (intentionally or not) white, middle-to-upper-class, suburban America. Which is fine, but that's not all there is. In my opinion there isn't anything wrong with people who live in America but are proud of their culture, heritage and background in a different country, regardless of what language they speak.

    Although, not even three months ago I probably would have agreed with you. I recently had somewhat of an "eye-opening" experience, which changed quite a bit of my views.
  • FLOATING PISOS FLOTANTES 2012/05/28 19:38:40
    Fair
    FLOATING PISOS FLOTANTES
    +2
    ojala estuviera en Dallas para poder ordenarme una . AMO LA PIZZA. En argentina las hacemos mucho mejor que en USA!!!! Pizza Argentina
  • pops 2012/05/28 19:34:49
    Fair
    pops
    Maybe they will go broke and go home.
  • George-2 pops 2012/05/28 21:03:13
    George-2
    Or maybe they'll attract the attention of many hispanics accustomed to mexican spicey food and make greatest business ever..........and stay home.
  • becca 2012/05/28 19:33:33
    Foul
    becca
    Smdh discrimination at its finest. We had everything over on a silver platter to these immigrants (illegal or not) and yet our ancestors had to work their asses off to get where we are today. It's a shame.
  • cheighti g 2012/05/28 19:09:02
    Foul
    cheighti g
    Everyone should have to pay, even though it is a mexican pizza place!
  • Call me Mark willya? 2012/05/28 18:36:56 (edited)
    Foul
    Call me Mark willya?
    +3
    Here's my problem, I have no trouble with Spanish speaking people. HOWEVER, I do have a problem with third and fourth generation "American Citizens" that are too lazy to learn English. I'm so sick of hearing "para Espanol marque il nueve" every time I try to call a utility company or any company that does customer service over the phone. Isn't it bad enough that in order to get a customer service job you either have to have a speech impediment or an incredibly thick accent. I guarantee you, If you go to Mexico city and call the water department, there won't be a computer answering, giving you the option to do your business in English.

    You want to give away Pizza based on language? Here's fair, Give it only to people who can order in two languages and one MUST be English!!! OH, and to all our members close enough to get there here's google translate's version of spanish for "one large pizza with everything but Anchovies please"

    Una pizza grande con todo, excepto las anchoas por favor

    Lets see how many non-hispanics can get one. If I was close enough I'd stand outside with a laptop and translate people's orders for them!!!
  • nothingbutthetruth 2012/05/28 18:28:03
    Fair
    nothingbutthetruth
    What's so foul about it!
  • cheighti g nothing... 2012/05/28 19:10:20
    cheighti g
    +1
    As nicesteve said, RACIST AND VERY UNFAIR! I garee with nicesteve.
  • nothing... cheighti g 2012/05/29 01:13:55
    nothingbutthetruth
    Well, if that's how you and nicesteve feel, I am sorry.
  • nicesteve 2012/05/28 18:16:11
    Foul
    nicesteve
    +1
    Very racist and very very unfair. European americans, asian americans, african americans, and native americans are all virtually catigoricly excluded from participating
    unless they are at least fluient in spanish. Also, not all hispanic americans speak the
    language well enough to be eligible to participate in this offer. They too, would be ex-
    cluded from any participation in this offer. Once agin, very racist and very very unfair.
  • Gahnzo 2012/05/28 18:05:08
    Foul
    Gahnzo
    +2
    What's next, free wurst at the Gasthaus if you order in German. Free fries if French... it's ridiculous. This is the U.S. and if you immigrated here, then you came for the culture, and it's opportunities. So... the majority of business is conducted in English..so could we just do it in English and stop all the other nonsense? I don't see English signs for everything in Germany, or France, or Spain. I don't see everything being translated into English in Mexico.. when in rome do as the romans...nuff said.
  • Tennessee3501 2012/05/28 17:50:12
    Foul
    Tennessee3501
    I want the American Civil Liberties Union to represent me!
  • ruben 2012/05/28 17:42:36
    Fair
    ruben
    very like foods , all right was award to spanish , i was first food in spain and el salvador,,,unlike food of english ... i have eat's get food of mexico and el salvador . , i'm savior ,very like , $ 15 usd food salvadoran , ,, i hates fig', pig ,butter,crab, and white chicken ,,,,,,,,!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • SODAHEADSHEAD 2012/05/28 17:33:15
    Foul
    SODAHEADSHEAD
    uh..foul! do they want to go out of business? there must be a catch!
  • Chaoskingsxz 2012/05/28 17:30:08
    Fair
    Chaoskingsxz
    Yo qiero Pizza...
  • herhes 2012/05/28 17:19:10
    Fair
    herhes
    very like food !!!! award to spanish of the food el salvador from spain in 1550 columbus christopher
  • Victor.Ojeda7 2012/05/28 17:09:11
    Fair
    Victor.Ojeda7
    its fair because most people i know are not bilingual
  • David 2012/05/28 17:08:25
    Fair
    David
    They probably have a greater need as they come across the border!
  • Sam George 2012/05/28 16:45:33 (edited)
    Fair
    Sam George
    +1
    It's called Google Translate. Found at none other than translate.google.com. I really can't find a problem here... and if you still have a problem with it then toss out your computer, smart phone, ipod, TV, and move to middle America so you never have to worry about this sort of thing again.
  • Greg 2012/05/28 16:38:53
    Fair
    Greg
    They can do what they want. Last I checked this was a free country. (Though that is quickly becoming NOT the case!)
  • Walter Harris 2012/05/28 16:34:38
    Fair
    Walter Harris
    most of their clientail speak spanish.

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2013/05/21 22:22:57

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