Submitted by Rona_Gura on

I Should Have Said. . .

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Lifestyle

 

It started out as a fun Saturday evening. My husband and I met friends of ours for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Our friends had never been to this particular restaurant and so they enjoyed being with us and exploring a new place.

 

 

It happened at the end of what would have been a perfect evening. As we were finishing our coffee one of the diners at the table next to us said to his dining companion, unfortunately loud enough for everyone at our table to hear, “I really like them Jews. They really know how to earn a buck.”

 

 

For a moment, everything at our table stopped. All four of us, all Jewish, looked at one another so as to confirm what we heard. With a silent nod we confirmed that we did, in fact, hear what was said. No one at our table said a word.

 

 

As I left the restaurant and passed the other table, I momentarily paused and considered saying something to the man. But I couldn’t find the words. So I passed the table and left the restaurant in silence.

 

 

Would you have said something? And, if so, what would you have said?

Comments

Fred Klein

There is a time and place to stand up, but this probably warranted your inaction. In today's day and age confrontation can have senseless consequences, eg, road rage.
Cayce Crown

I agree with Fred. You did the smart thing. People who are talking too loudly in public places generally have had too much to drink or are looking for a fight. Or both. They aren't particularly receptive to enlightenment.
Steve Reisner

Rona - you most likely made the right choice. It is rare that someone willing to make that comment loudly and in public, was looking for enlightenment.

Unless you wanted to stop, mention you were Jewish and just say "Thank you".
Benjamin Geizhals

If you were at a Kosher deli and the comment was about the cooking, I would have said something. However, the connection of Jews and money is replete with historical, and contemporary, overtones. It is unfortunate that your "perfect" evening was ruined. You did the right thing in walking away. I am not sure whether I would have done the same.
Nancy Schess

So hard, and such a shame in today's world. Sorry you had to hear it.
Cynthia Somma

I'm sorry you had to hear what people should not even be thinking.
Call me a pushover, I am one that does not confront strangers--EVER.
I have no problem confronting Fred, strangers are just unpredictable.

I was in the city recently and 3x the person I was with put me in a very uncomfortable position--once by tapping on someone's car because they were in the crosswalk, another time telling someone they were in the way (they were taking a picture) and lastly--when a drunk was stumbling in front of me (the drunk apologized)--the other person actually made the moment worse.
Guess what---after all was said and done---I had no problem confronting HIM and telling him if his safety didn't matter, he should think about how I feel--because I value my safety and all of these interactions were so minor. It's NYC!
Corey Bearak

Simple response. "We appreciate the compliment" and then wish them. "Have a good night." and then once more.

Submitted by Alan_Schwartz on Sat, 01/16/2016 - 07:47

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Alan Schwartz

Bet you wish you were carrying!

Submitted by MarilynGenoa on Mon, 02/01/2016 - 02:48

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Marilyn Genoa

Rona, knowing you I imagine your response was appropriate given the time and circumstances. Given my name, people who don't know me do not know that I am Jewish, therefore comments have been made in my presence where I could not simply remain silent. Unfortunately however that has been the case with regard to other prejudicial remarks as well.

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