Not Exactly Quivering With Anticipation

[miss_yt]

A few weeks ago, I agreed to have dinner with colorwhirl's family when they came to visit. I'm still going to, but with greater trepidation. colorwhirl warned me (and apologized to me in advance) about what kind of behavior, or mis-behavior, I might expect from them. Her mother might not be too bad, but her brothers have probably never met a Jewish person before and are likely to have all sorts of stupid and offensive notions they'll be just dying to ask me about. She said don't bother to explain anything to them, because it won't have any effect. I will take her at her word, because I have learned that in certain conflicts the only people who heed the arguments of one side or another are those who agree with those arguments already.

Maybe if they say something really out of line I should just tell them I find whatever it is offensive or tell them "I'm not comfortable with this discussion." But that may lead to disaster. Hell, I probably wouldn't have the guts to do it anyway.

Comments

how would they know?

[drakonous.livejournal.com]

How old are her brothers? In all honesty, they might learn something if you do answer in a calm, logical way. If you just react, they are sure to not listen; but maybe explaining that ::gasp:: Jews are people too is worth it. It's like kids coming to Penn and seeing their first black person. I'm not kidding on this one.

This all depends on whether their parents will keep them in line enough for them to have to listen to you.

Also, coming from a school where there were very few Jewish people, I could never tell if someone was a Jew or not. Caucasian, yes, Arab, yes, maybe Israeli (but I probably would have just said Arab). Penn, having such a large Jewish community and having so many Jewish friends has taught me how to distinguish. But, my honest question is... if they have never seen a Jew before, how would they even know you are one? (unless her parents said something?)

Re: how would they know?

[miss-yt.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's good to hear from you. I'm glad you're feeling better. Now you know that when your appendix bothers you, you shouldn't ignore it. ;)

I forgot to mention that colorwhirl told her mother that I was Jewish, which actually caused her mom to freak out for a bit. Her mother has no doubt told the boys already, or she will say something during dinner. Also, the dad's not coming to dinner, just the mom.

The boys are all in their teens. From what colorwhirl told me, the youngest one is very sweet, but the oldest has always been, and has recently become more of, an asshole. I am not sure how much their mother will keep them in line because while they may not overtly insult me, they may say things that they don't consider offensive - but I will.

colorwhirl will probably step in now and then and tell her brothers that they're out of line, although she may not do the same for her mother. But I'm more worried about the boys.

[pinesandmaples]

If it makes you feel any better, they're actually really pissed off at me right now because I over-slept this morning. And (as of this writing), I am not with them.

They behaved very well for Cory, amazingly enough. But afterwards, he told me he felt really worn down because he felt like he was putting on a show for them...like it was all fake.

[alashiya.livejournal.com]

Would you like to be my second Jewish penpal? If so, please put me on your friends list and let me know if I can put you on mine.

I am proud to say I have no prejudices. I am equally hostile towards everyone, regardless of their race or religion. :D