I had a very interesting encounter on a streetcar today.

[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.

[Main_Brain]

Distubíng no, puzzling yes

[Asher]

I find it disturbing.

[lord of the mark]

Re: I had a very interesting encounter on a streetcar today.

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.

[Colon™]

What where you doing on a streetcar?

[Zkribbler]

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

[Wiglaf]

LOTM take your jewishly-charged rambling somewhere else. Everyone knows that a lot of jewish people are tight with money and act superior. It is not just the Chabads or the Ding hows. It is most jewish people, much like mormons.

[Wiglaf]

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.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Wiglaf

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.

I cant speak for Jehovahs witnesses. I have spent considerable time with Ultra-Orthodox Jews, and my observation is that their approaches to conversation with each other, etc are different than those of western people, including assimilated Jews.

You can choose not to believe me of course. I believe there are published sources on issues of cultural assimilation and westernization, but I dont have any handy at the moment.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Wiglaf
LOTM take your jewishly-charged rambling somewhere else. Everyone knows that a lot of jewish people are tight with money and act superior. It is not just the Chabads or the Ding hows. It is most jewish people, much like mormons.

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

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Lorizael


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

I thought you were Buddhist.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Colon™
What where you doing on a streetcar?

I take it to get to work each day, since Toronto has major flaws:
1) Underdeveloped subway
2) Vastly underdeveloped road network

I need to take a streetcar -- which is also infuriating -- to get to work.

[Asher]

Re: Re: I had a very interesting encounter on a streetcar today.

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...

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by LordShiva
I thought you were Buddhist.

Heavens no.

My father is Jewish and I associate much more strongly with the Jewish side of my family than the Catholic.

I am not a Jew, though; I just call myself one sometimes because Hitler (sorry, Godwin) wouldn't have quibbled over my diluted ancestry.

I am also not a Buddhist, but Buddhist philosophy and ideals resonate with me more so than any other religion I have looked into.

[LordShiva]

lol Jewddhist