[CVEGK7mV]

Distubíng no, puzzling yes

[t78VPkdO]

Originally posted by Asher
I am standing in the middle, minding my own business. A pair of young conservative(?) Jews enter, wearing black suits and black hats with that yarn thing dangling from their belt. They looked to be in their late teens. Mind you, this is a streetcar that basically goes from the trendy hipster area where I work (Queen St West) through China Town to the subway. So they looked somewhat out of place.

One of them approached me, and they said "Excuse me, are you Jewish?". I was stunned for a second, then said "No." He immediately continued down the car without another word, or ever looking at me.

My question is -- WTF is that?

1) Do I look Jewish? Do my blue eyes give me away?
2) Why would you ask a random person that?
3) Why would you refrain from any kind of contact after asking that question, even a polite "Sorry" or anything like that?

Did they consider themselves better than me, and since I responded that I was not jewish I was not worthy of conversation?

Very disturbing.

1.Based on their dress, they are almost certainly not Conservative Jews, but Orthodox Jews, and Ultra-Orthodox Jews at that, not "modern Orthodox". Did you really think all along that I was Orthodox?

2. My guess as to their odd behavior, is that they were members of a group called "Chabad" which proselytizes non-Orthodox Jews to become more observant of Jewish law. Had you said "yes" they probably would have offered show you how to participate in some prayer or other ritual action. Since you weren't Jewish, they weren't interested in you, as they don't proselytize non-Jews

3. Why were they abrupt - many ultra-Orthodox Jews are not very culturally assimilated, and their notions of politeness (towards everyone, not just non-Jews) vary considerably from Western ones.

4. Why they chose YOU I dont know. Perhaps their were no likelier looking prospects on the street car.


All of the above is for information, in response to your questions. I hope all is well with you, otherwise.


Have a nice day.

[Eujacwta]

Maybe he was gay, thought you looked hot, and asked...hoping.

[shemadagaswer]

many ultra-Orthodox Jews are not very culturally assimilated, and their notions of politeness (towards everyone, not just non-Jews) vary considerably from Western ones. BS BS BS BS

I know Jehovah's witnesses are total tools when I reject them. Anyone who is hardcore religious starts acting like a douche bag whenever you say "No thanks." It is not a matter of assimilation...it's just that religious cooks (aka orthodox anything) are ass holes.

[ElcinBoris]

Originally posted by Lorizael


I really hate when stupid, poor people keep spreading lies like this about us. I thought you were Buddhist.

[QuidQuoPro]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
1.Based on their dress, they are almost certainly not Conservative Jews, but Orthodox Jews, and Ultra-Orthodox Jews at that, not "modern Orthodox". Did you really think all along that I was Orthodox? I'm confused what this has to do with you.

Originally posted by lord of the mark
3. Why were they abrupt - many ultra-Orthodox Jews are not very culturally assimilated, and their notions of politeness (towards everyone, not just non-Jews) vary considerably from Western ones. I've noticed this with several of my New York colleagues (about 60% of them are Jewish -- the end of this week is going to be brutal for me covering everyone's work...). They'll call and immediately begin rambling about something, then abruptly hang up without a "goodbye" or "thanks" or anything like that. I'm glad we have IP phones that show the call status, otherwise I'd keep talking to a dead line...

[kavaTeexy]

lol Jewddhist

[lapyignipinge]

My college roomate used to tell me funny stories about his cousins, who were "Jews for Jesus."

-Arrian

[BgpOoGI2]

Arrian, Jew.



-Arrian

[Susanleech]

Do you think the guy would be offended if I whipped it out when he asked if I was jewish?

[cheaploans]

Originally posted by Lorizael


My brothers and I are often called Jewlics or Cathews by the rest of the family. You're not a Jew, stop claiming you are one. I have no idea why are Jews so hairy?! This is an honest question.

[Edqpdnuu]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
Forgive me, its just that in the past I have called myself a Conservative Jew, and you have (correctly) referred to me as such. I was simply curious if you envisioned me as someone who wore a black hat and suit, or was a member of the same Jewish grouping. I just wanted to clarify the distinction between Conservative and Orthodox Jews, but only if you are interested in the topic, of course. I really don't know the difference, aside from "Conservative" is typically a derogatory term.

[mylittlejewelaa]

Originally posted by Arrian
That was odd, Asher. I do think LotM's explanation is plausible. Not that it makes it appreciably less wierd/disturbing for you.
For fairly obvious reasons, Ive been approached by Chabadniks asking "Are you a Jew" on several occasions. Sometimes I do the ritual with them, sometimes its "Yes, but Im busy now". It doesnt seem that odd to me anymore, but I can see how it would be to a non-Jew. Its so different from Christian proselytizers.

[maxfieldj1]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Maybe he was gay, thought you looked hot, and asked...hoping. No chance. Asher won't go near a circumcised man

[Galinastva]

Originally posted by Wiglaf
Q: What do you call a cold jew?

A: An iceberg!

It took me a while to get that the first time I heard it but damn I repeat that often at work. A jew and a Chinese person get drunk at a bar. The jew socks teh Chinese guy and says "That was for Pearl Harbour!" "I'm Chinese! Pearl Harbour was teh Japanese!" "Chinese, Japanese, same difference!" Chinese guy socks jew. "That was for teh Titanic!" "Titanic? That was an iceberg!" "Iceberg, Goldberg, Bloomberg, same difference."

[Cnbaapuy]

/LS beat you to it.

A jew and a Chinese person get drunk at a bar. The jew socks teh Chinese guy and says "That was for Pearl Harbour!" "I'm Chinese! Pearl Harbour was teh Japanese!" "Chinese, Japanese, same difference!" Chinese guy socks jew. "That was for teh Titanic!" "Titanic? That was an iceberg!" "Iceberg, Goldberg, Bloomberg, same difference."

[LarryRda]

No, I think you've adequately answered the question.

This wasn't nearly as disturbing as the drunken Native gentleman who smelled strongly of alcohol who asked for money because he was going to get stabbed...

[netamargr]

From my experience 'conservative jew' almost always equates to 'liberal politically'... ofter 'extreme left' even ...

[nemoforone]

I mostly know Californians

[Lydiaswingert]

Most of the people on the car were Chinese, so I guess I can see that.