"Aren’t you Jewish?"
That was the response I got when I mentioned that I purchased a $7.50 cup of coffee. I wasn’t sure how to take it. I didn’t bring it up to be a braggart. I brought it up as a topic of conversation, as in, “Man, can you believe one can buy a cup of coffee for that much?” Was I being chastised for spending so much on a cup of joe? I’ve seen the same person ruin Dom Perignon by putting orange juice in it, so I’m sure that wasn’t it. I know my friend was joking but I don’t make jokes about her heritage. Unfortunately, today certain things seem okay to say. One is referring to someone cheap as being “Jewish.” It never ceases to amaze me. I was at a wedding several years back and the “Money Dance” was brought up. I had never heard of this ritual before, but some one at the table said, “Why? Is this a Jewish wedding?” Thinking he was serious, I racked my brain to remember if I’d heard about this at a Jewish wedding. Then someone else spoke up and asked, “Is anyone here Jewish?” That’s when I said something. It was uncomfortable for a few minutes, but it’s better than beating down this fucking shaigetz so soon after my friend’s wedding vows. Maybe I’m being sensitive to what my friend said. (I know. It’s hard to believe that I have feelings.) But if I were black or Asian, would they make a comment referring to criminality or poor driving? I’m gonna guess “no.” In all honesty, I tend to be more racist than most. As someone who deals with the public, I find certain groups end up living down to my expectations. But I neither think less of an individual because of their background (until they prove otherwise) nor do I believe in making a joke based on someone’s race; thus, making them feel uncomfortable. I tend to make jokes about the stupid. Trust me, there are a lot of them.
