Well I don’t like it but I like language laws even less.
I would not support this initiative. Richmond is a Chinese city; get over it or get out.
A while ago I had dinner with daughter and son-in-law in Richmond prior to their flight.
I casually observed that we were the only Caucasians in the cavernous Chinese restaurant and that the white exodus into the interior was understandable.
THE LOOKS I got!
While I feel like a stranger in my own land, I don’t have a problem with the Chinese.
And heh, you live in Richmond? How about learning the dominant language!
What are we? Cheese eating surrender monkeys? No! We are people confident enough in our own culture that we don’t need to force other to join ours. Multiculturalism is a joke but so is the Instituts de la Langue Francaise. If the businesses in Richmond want to post signs in Chinese only and lose business then that is their choice in a free country. And THAT is the most important thing about Western culture: Freedom. And that is why so many Chinese persons come here.
I do not have a problem with the signage in Richmond. I grew up there and go there often to shop or work.
However, I think all new Canadians should know one of our national languages. I should be able to walk into one of these shops and get served, despite what the sign says out front. If you come to Canada, please become Canadian.
At first it is a shock. After visiting Richmond many times in my youth (the 70s), the dominant culture was white, and the Japanese were the other notable culture, in the Steveston area.
I returned 4 years ago, and it was a culture shock, but, after the initial “wow”, it was just an acknowledgement of how things had changed, and not for the worse. Embrace it, enjoy the dining and the culture. Yes, they should speak more English, but we are supposed to be a free country.
As long as the signage is also in English I’m okay with foreign language signs.
It was rather amusing that one of the ads below the article was: Check Out These Deals On Cat Toys And Treats
Struck me as funny.
Yeah well, I have to endorse the enlightened position rat so well expressed.
I have been dissed/shunned in some places in Queerbec, despite being fluent in French…because I speak the Provincial dialect…once with an associate, a comrade in arms.
His reaction…”oh well, I guess they fear those who can wear the ‘kepi blanc'”….and laughed.
I figure they have a xenophobia about anyone of than “la pure laine”.
If’n they don’t want my business…****’em.
I’ll never forget the time when my elderly [Caucasian] mother was shopping at a mall in Richmond. She politely asked the Asian sales gal why the product labels weren’t also in English. The young lady looked at her and said, “Why are you shopping here anyway?”
Just imagine if my mom had filed a complaint with Richmond City Council or the Better Business Bureau or the BC Human Rights Tribunal. Do you think she would have gotten ANYWHERE with any of them. Not likely. 🙁
By the way, in the comments on The Province, one multi-cult nitwit said this: “I didn’t know there was a language called “Chinese”, but I know of Mandarin and Cantonese. These are two foreign languages, as are French (from France) and English (from England). Why should one or two tongues from other countries take precedence over others? The purpose of the signs is communication and it seems to me that they are accomplishing that purpose. Those who complain the loudest about no English appear to be the biggest complainers about Quebec language laws. There is a saying about sauce for the goose.”
Then there was this brilliant retort, from an Asian woman no less: “…except for the pesky fact that English and French are, by law, the two official languages of Canada. Mandarin and Cantonese are not.”
I don’t get it? Why does that strike you as funny?
The same situation is present in parts of northeast Calgary and I really don’t have a problem with it. When I shop or eat at one of the restaurants there I’m treated equally rudely as any of the other guests regardless of wether or not I’m dining with some of my asian friends. It’s all part of the fun.
And the last thing I want is the equivalent of the Orifice de la langue francaise (misspelling intended) running around measuring the size of letters etc. It will be like another “Human Rights” commission — the last thing I want or need.
I am not sure why the inmates in charge allow immigration at a rate faster than we can turn them into Canadians. The consequences could be disruptive to the future of Canada. I don’t care what colour anyone is but English is part of our culture. Doesn’t labeling REQUIRE English and French. I know the cornflakes box has been ticking me off for at least 40 years.
I should make it clear that I remain opposed to state intervention and prefer the free market approach. Before we jump on the Chinese immigrants, I suggest we place the blame where it is due and that is with the government, provincial and federal. In BC you do not need to speak, read or write English in order to take and pass your driver’s test to obtain a license. Every provincial service offers information in several languages other than English and often offers interpretation services. Even the libraries purchase books, CDs and DVDs in many languages other than English. The federal government is doing much the same, and we wonder why immigrants feel it unnecessary to learn a working knowledge of English? After all we have the provincial and federal governments telling them it is not really necessary.
Had a similar experience , I was told the store is closed when it plainly wasn’t, of course it’s not racist when they do it; still it’s an area of personal amusement if you enjoy watching a courtesy car rear end another courtesy car.
I denounce myself.
There are lots of stores, shops and restaurants in Richmond that display English as well as a Chinese language on their signs. If a store with a Chinese language-only sign offends you that much, don’t shop there.
Just as an aside: If Richmond council were to be so stupid as to pass such a by-law, I hope they all add French wording to their signs.
I think it speaks to the broader issue of balkanization, by choice, of special interest race/cultures in Canada. This is not a quaint chinatown. This is a Chinese City. There is no requirement to adopt the ways of your new country (social programs excepted)- your culture comes first.
“Well I don’t like it but I like language laws even less.
I would not support this initiative. Richmond is a Chinese city; get over it or get out.”
Or, organize a boycott and raise hell – but you’re right MND, the last thing they want or need is a language law for signs.
That’s just for bedwetters in la belle province and Russell Township Ontario.
“Forget it, Jake… It’s Chinatown.”
Damn straight.
Without proper signage guys like our dearly departed Gassy Jack won’t be able to find the rub n’ tug parlours or underage vietnamese prostitutes…
No different at all than the francophonie freaks from Kaybec.
The same useless people who were cashing in on the Asians, speculating on Vancouver area property or the ones just too dim witted to sell out and get out now don’t like consequences.
Just like the pur laine fascists and commies from out east.
Well, if they are mostly Chinese and they speak mostly Chinese and they could care less if the white racist bigots shopped elsewhere…….sounds like your typical Xenophobic China not Canada. Fortunately they have social justice out there and I’m sure some non threatening outreach will be offered by some one to somebody.
For all you people who are OK with it, what about your children’s children? Canada is probably the only country in the world where minorities are not persecuted. Any tribe that allows themselves to become a minority in their own country is doomed to extinction. Look how the Chinese treat Tibetans and realize that that is the future for your children when the Chinese, or any other minority reach a critical mass. Only idiot westerners think diversity and multiculturalism are great. No one else does. When the Chinese are a majority with political power it won’t even matter if you can speak chinese. You will still be shunned and discriminated against for not being chinese.
I remember a few years back when a store near Yonge and Bloor was hounded constantly because of no French on the labels of his products. He was from England and was specializing in English and Scottish teas and biscuits etc. They made his life hell but ignore this.
I was in court in Toronto about 25 years ago and a Chinese gentleman was up before the judge. He had been in the country 30 years but needed a translator as he couldn’t speak English.
啊，加拿大！
我们的家庭和故土！
真正的爱国者的爱都在所有你的儿子命令。
No big deal; only a few thousand characters to learn.
I suggest starting with the ones involving food.
Google “translate” seems very slick, particularly if you’ve ever tried to use a Chinese/English dictionary. For instance, in which part of the book do you find the big fellow 大? Is it before or after 小?
It is the store’s concern and only the store’s concern what sign-age they use. The government is right to offer multi-language service; it is the government’s prerogative to serve the people. In any event, it doesn’t change anything. There is still no reason to stop in Richmond. When the Chinese are a majority with political power it won’t even matter if you can speak chinese. You will still be shunned and discriminated against for not being chinese.
Please leave is out of your collectivist fear fantasies. I’ve heard it all from nativist types.
I used the simplified Chinese format in Google Translate.
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
… in all thy sons command.
The translation, irony; the words, license.
Can you name one country in the world when what I am saying is not a fact?
Bl@ckbird.
It’s not white racist bigots, it’s red haired devils. Or so I’m told by my Chinamen friends.
Multicultural they’re not.
Well I refuse to get all bent outa shape about a culture which still writes in hyroglyphics and eats with chop sticks….
I’ve just returned from a vacation in Brazil. I must say thet one very refreshing and unexpected aspect of that country is that, although clearly multi-racial, the country is NOT multi-cultural.
All Brazillians are Brazillians. There are no hyphernated Brazillians, no muslim brazillians, no white, black, brown or whatever brazillians.
Just Brazilians. If only Canada …
Richmond is basically just one big sandbar anyhow. So when the “Big One” hits, liquifaction will make it all disappear and when it resurfaces, we can rent it out again.
Your ‘facts’ are so general as to be meaningless. Minorities aren’t persecuted in Canada. And Canada will never be majority Chinese, not that that would be a bad thing.
L-ASS, when will U and yer fellow liberaltarians move up to just stupid, from extra stupid????U and the likes of juststinking are damn good examples of why a jackass like Ron Paul would be a worst president that even Obumbles is, U people don’t understant what being a citizen of a country actually entails. And L-ASS, it is not the gov’t s perogative to serve the people, it’s their job (duty) to do so.
Minuteman said: “For all you people who are OK with it, what about your children’s children?”
They’ll be living in a free country Minuteman. A country where a guy can put up a sign on his own property in whatever language he wants, that says whatever he wants.
If the Chinese stores in Richmond feel that they want to kiss off all the non-Chinese business out there, that’s their problem. If all the Chinese people in BC want to buy up all the property in Richmond and live with only other Chinese people, ITS THEIR MONEY. And you know, if I had to live in China I’d be living in the Round Eye neighborhood, you betcha.
What part of “free country” is so hard for so many people to grasp? Free means free. Get over it.
Of course, if there are getting to be lots and lots of Chinese-Only towns, our beloved federal government might want to examine its immigration policy a bit. Just because its a free country doesn’t mean you need to take in anybody who asks.
Just because its a free country doesn’t mean you need to take in anybody who asks.
Barring the infectious and the criminal, that’s exactly what it means.
In any event, the Chinese of Richmond are to be pitied, for they are in…Richmond.
So you’re saying that Brasil never had a French province.
Lucky for them.
Capitalism at it’s best, in fact Mandarin has also squashed Cantonese which was the predominate Chinese language spoken here when I grew up. If it was in their business interest to have English signs, you can bet there would be english signs. I also note that every gun shop in Vancouver has a Mandarin speaker at the counter. the chinese buyers think nothing at dropping $2-5,000 and then come back next week for something else. Meanwhile the typical Canadian buyer is buying a $15 item once a month. the real irony will be when the Chinese and East Indians run the government and the First Nations come looking for treaty deals, believe me they will miss “whitey”. Go to Malaysia and you will see open and blunt racism. at least they are honest about it over there.
In lower mainland BC fluency in mandarin is becoming a requirement for many advertised job openings.
One major Main stream bank is now using Mandarin as its daily working language .The HSBC
And a Richmond Chinese politician has launched a Chinese party to try and wrest concessions based solely on race.
How do you spell “multicultural ” in Chinese?
Or in French???
Well I don’t like it but I like language laws even less.
I would not support this initiative. Richmond is a Chinese city; get over it or get out.
A while ago I had dinner with daughter and son-in-law in Richmond prior to their flight.
I casually observed that we were the only Caucasians in the cavernous Chinese restaurant and that the white exodus into the interior was understandable.
THE LOOKS I got!
While I feel like a stranger in my own land, I don’t have a problem with the Chinese.
And heh, you live in Richmond? How about learning the dominant language!
What are we? Cheese eating surrender monkeys? No! We are people confident enough in our own culture that we don’t need to force other to join ours. Multiculturalism is a joke but so is the Instituts de la Langue Francaise. If the businesses in Richmond want to post signs in Chinese only and lose business then that is their choice in a free country. And THAT is the most important thing about Western culture: Freedom. And that is why so many Chinese persons come here.
I do not have a problem with the signage in Richmond. I grew up there and go there often to shop or work.
However, I think all new Canadians should know one of our national languages. I should be able to walk into one of these shops and get served, despite what the sign says out front. If you come to Canada, please become Canadian.
At first it is a shock. After visiting Richmond many times in my youth (the 70s), the dominant culture was white, and the Japanese were the other notable culture, in the Steveston area.
I returned 4 years ago, and it was a culture shock, but, after the initial “wow”, it was just an acknowledgement of how things had changed, and not for the worse. Embrace it, enjoy the dining and the culture. Yes, they should speak more English, but we are supposed to be a free country.
As long as the signage is also in English I’m okay with foreign language signs.
It was rather amusing that one of the ads below the article was:
Check Out These Deals On Cat Toys And Treats
Struck me as funny.
Yeah well, I have to endorse the enlightened position rat so well expressed.
I have been dissed/shunned in some places in Queerbec, despite being fluent in French…because I speak the Provincial dialect…once with an associate, a comrade in arms.
His reaction…”oh well, I guess they fear those who can wear the ‘kepi blanc'”….and laughed.
I figure they have a xenophobia about anyone of than “la pure laine”.
If’n they don’t want my business…****’em.
I’ll never forget the time when my elderly [Caucasian] mother was shopping at a mall in Richmond. She politely asked the Asian sales gal why the product labels weren’t also in English. The young lady looked at her and said, “Why are you shopping here anyway?”
Just imagine if my mom had filed a complaint with Richmond City Council or the Better Business Bureau or the BC Human Rights Tribunal. Do you think she would have gotten ANYWHERE with any of them. Not likely. 🙁
By the way, in the comments on The Province, one multi-cult nitwit said this: “I didn’t know there was a language called “Chinese”, but I know of Mandarin and Cantonese. These are two foreign languages, as are French (from France) and English (from England). Why should one or two tongues from other countries take precedence over others? The purpose of the signs is communication and it seems to me that they are accomplishing that purpose. Those who complain the loudest about no English appear to be the biggest complainers about Quebec language laws. There is a saying about sauce for the goose.”
Then there was this brilliant retort, from an Asian woman no less: “…except for the pesky fact that English and French are, by law, the two official languages of Canada. Mandarin and Cantonese are not.”
I don’t get it? Why does that strike you as funny?
The same situation is present in parts of northeast Calgary and I really don’t have a problem with it. When I shop or eat at one of the restaurants there I’m treated equally rudely as any of the other guests regardless of wether or not I’m dining with some of my asian friends. It’s all part of the fun.
And the last thing I want is the equivalent of the Orifice de la langue francaise (misspelling intended) running around measuring the size of letters etc. It will be like another “Human Rights” commission — the last thing I want or need.
I am not sure why the inmates in charge allow immigration at a rate faster than we can turn them into Canadians. The consequences could be disruptive to the future of Canada. I don’t care what colour anyone is but English is part of our culture. Doesn’t labeling REQUIRE English and French. I know the cornflakes box has been ticking me off for at least 40 years.
I should make it clear that I remain opposed to state intervention and prefer the free market approach. Before we jump on the Chinese immigrants, I suggest we place the blame where it is due and that is with the government, provincial and federal. In BC you do not need to speak, read or write English in order to take and pass your driver’s test to obtain a license. Every provincial service offers information in several languages other than English and often offers interpretation services. Even the libraries purchase books, CDs and DVDs in many languages other than English. The federal government is doing much the same, and we wonder why immigrants feel it unnecessary to learn a working knowledge of English? After all we have the provincial and federal governments telling them it is not really necessary.
Had a similar experience , I was told the store is closed when it plainly wasn’t, of course it’s not racist when they do it; still it’s an area of personal amusement if you enjoy watching a courtesy car rear end another courtesy car.
I denounce myself.
There are lots of stores, shops and restaurants in Richmond that display English as well as a Chinese language on their signs. If a store with a Chinese language-only sign offends you that much, don’t shop there.
Just as an aside: If Richmond council were to be so stupid as to pass such a by-law, I hope they all add French wording to their signs.
I think it speaks to the broader issue of balkanization, by choice, of special interest race/cultures in Canada. This is not a quaint chinatown. This is a Chinese City. There is no requirement to adopt the ways of your new country (social programs excepted)- your culture comes first.
“Well I don’t like it but I like language laws even less.
I would not support this initiative. Richmond is a Chinese city; get over it or get out.”
Or, organize a boycott and raise hell – but you’re right MND, the last thing they want or need is a language law for signs.
That’s just for bedwetters in la belle province and Russell Township Ontario.
“Forget it, Jake… It’s Chinatown.”
Damn straight.
Without proper signage guys like our dearly departed Gassy Jack won’t be able to find the rub n’ tug parlours or underage vietnamese prostitutes…
No different at all than the francophonie freaks from Kaybec.
The same useless people who were cashing in on the Asians, speculating on Vancouver area property or the ones just too dim witted to sell out and get out now don’t like consequences.
Just like the pur laine fascists and commies from out east.
Well, if they are mostly Chinese and they speak mostly Chinese and they could care less if the white racist bigots shopped elsewhere…….sounds like your typical Xenophobic China not Canada. Fortunately they have social justice out there and I’m sure some non threatening outreach will be offered by some one to somebody.
For all you people who are OK with it, what about your children’s children? Canada is probably the only country in the world where minorities are not persecuted. Any tribe that allows themselves to become a minority in their own country is doomed to extinction. Look how the Chinese treat Tibetans and realize that that is the future for your children when the Chinese, or any other minority reach a critical mass. Only idiot westerners think diversity and multiculturalism are great. No one else does. When the Chinese are a majority with political power it won’t even matter if you can speak chinese. You will still be shunned and discriminated against for not being chinese.
I remember a few years back when a store near Yonge and Bloor was hounded constantly because of no French on the labels of his products. He was from England and was specializing in English and Scottish teas and biscuits etc. They made his life hell but ignore this.
I was in court in Toronto about 25 years ago and a Chinese gentleman was up before the judge. He had been in the country 30 years but needed a translator as he couldn’t speak English.
啊，加拿大！
我们的家庭和故土！
真正的爱国者的爱都在所有你的儿子命令。
No big deal; only a few thousand characters to learn.
I suggest starting with the ones involving food.
Google “translate” seems very slick, particularly if you’ve ever tried to use a Chinese/English dictionary. For instance, in which part of the book do you find the big fellow 大? Is it before or after 小?
It is the store’s concern and only the store’s concern what sign-age they use. The government is right to offer multi-language service; it is the government’s prerogative to serve the people. In any event, it doesn’t change anything. There is still no reason to stop in Richmond.
When the Chinese are a majority with political power it won’t even matter if you can speak chinese. You will still be shunned and discriminated against for not being chinese.
Please leave is out of your collectivist fear fantasies. I’ve heard it all from nativist types.
I used the simplified Chinese format in Google Translate.
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
… in all thy sons command.
The translation, irony; the words, license.
Can you name one country in the world when what I am saying is not a fact?
Bl@ckbird.
It’s not white racist bigots, it’s red haired devils. Or so I’m told by my Chinamen friends.
Multicultural they’re not.
Well I refuse to get all bent outa shape about a culture which still writes in hyroglyphics and eats with chop sticks….
I’ve just returned from a vacation in Brazil. I must say thet one very refreshing and unexpected aspect of that country is that, although clearly multi-racial, the country is NOT multi-cultural.
All Brazillians are Brazillians. There are no hyphernated Brazillians, no muslim brazillians, no white, black, brown or whatever brazillians.
Just Brazilians. If only Canada …
Richmond is basically just one big sandbar anyhow. So when the “Big One” hits, liquifaction will make it all disappear and when it resurfaces, we can rent it out again.
Your ‘facts’ are so general as to be meaningless. Minorities aren’t persecuted in Canada. And Canada will never be majority Chinese, not that that would be a bad thing.
L-ASS, when will U and yer fellow liberaltarians move up to just stupid, from extra stupid????U and the likes of juststinking are damn good examples of why a jackass like Ron Paul would be a worst president that even Obumbles is, U people don’t understant what being a citizen of a country actually entails. And L-ASS, it is not the gov’t s perogative to serve the people, it’s their job (duty) to do so.
Minuteman said: “For all you people who are OK with it, what about your children’s children?”
They’ll be living in a free country Minuteman. A country where a guy can put up a sign on his own property in whatever language he wants, that says whatever he wants.
If the Chinese stores in Richmond feel that they want to kiss off all the non-Chinese business out there, that’s their problem. If all the Chinese people in BC want to buy up all the property in Richmond and live with only other Chinese people, ITS THEIR MONEY. And you know, if I had to live in China I’d be living in the Round Eye neighborhood, you betcha.
What part of “free country” is so hard for so many people to grasp? Free means free. Get over it.
Of course, if there are getting to be lots and lots of Chinese-Only towns, our beloved federal government might want to examine its immigration policy a bit. Just because its a free country doesn’t mean you need to take in anybody who asks.
Just because its a free country doesn’t mean you need to take in anybody who asks.
Barring the infectious and the criminal, that’s exactly what it means.
In any event, the Chinese of Richmond are to be pitied, for they are in…Richmond.
So you’re saying that Brasil never had a French province.
Lucky for them.
Capitalism at it’s best, in fact Mandarin has also squashed Cantonese which was the predominate Chinese language spoken here when I grew up. If it was in their business interest to have English signs, you can bet there would be english signs. I also note that every gun shop in Vancouver has a Mandarin speaker at the counter. the chinese buyers think nothing at dropping $2-5,000 and then come back next week for something else. Meanwhile the typical Canadian buyer is buying a $15 item once a month. the real irony will be when the Chinese and East Indians run the government and the First Nations come looking for treaty deals, believe me they will miss “whitey”. Go to Malaysia and you will see open and blunt racism. at least they are honest about it over there.
In lower mainland BC fluency in mandarin is becoming a requirement for many advertised job openings.
One major Main stream bank is now using Mandarin as its daily working language .The HSBC
And a Richmond Chinese politician has launched a Chinese party to try and wrest concessions based solely on race.
The biggest problem tourists might face in Richmond could be :
http://legacy-cdn.smosh.com/smosh-pit/092010/cookie-3.jpg