Is it an insult to be asked if you are Jewish if you are Italian? Why?

Question

I've noticed people who are Italian but are asked if they are Jewish (because they "look" Jewish, whatever that means) get really offended by this. Why?

Anyone of Italian or Italian American heritage, do you get asked if you are Jewish (for example if someone doesn't know your name, or if your name isn't obviously Italian)?

Do you get annoyed or angry? If so, why?

I bring this up because my best friend's name is Marcella (pretty obviously Italian) and she always wears a cross. A saleslady (she had give her a credit card) asked her if she was Jewish last week while we were shopping & she freaked out! She kept saying don't they see my cross/ my name, and so on.

Can anyone enlighten me as to why she would be so annoyed and also anyone Italian has this ever happened to you & how did you react.

Thanks and have a great day!

hi thanks for the stories, they are interesting.

I wanted to add that my friend also worked in NY once with several Jewish coworkers, and that once one asked her if she baked those cookies (Taschen?) for a holiday & I remember her ranting about that for about a week (she was so annoyed that they must have assumed she was Jewish. )BTW, she does NOT have curly hair,(slightly wavy), she has a pretty small nose, and a fair complexion, so all of those stereotypes are out. I think it's justa coincidence, or that some Jewish people are just looking to make a friend and/or connect. Just strange that she takes it SO seriously. )

That's an apt expression, amore per tutti! :)

Answer 1

I am both Italian and Jewish. Go figure. Italians get confused with Jews some times because of the "Mediterranean" look. However there are Jews from India, China, Various Middle Eastern and European Countries. There is no Jewish "look".

Answer 2

First, before the holocaust, there were Jews successfully tending to their businesses in Rome, Russia and many parts of Europe. So, some have adopted Italian names or some Italians resembles a Jewish face. Obviously, ignorance must be present to someone who ask if one is Jewish when she wearing a cross and bearing an Italian name.
Then during the campaign to dehumanize and humiliate the Jews all over Europe, they started spreading the ugly news about Jews killing Jesus. That must have stuck to the minds even for the younger Italian generation moreso if they are Roman Catholic.
Maybe, it is just like Eastern Indian who always get offended for being mistaken as Pakistani or vice versa. It is actually not for being what they are but for how they are all raised to believe.

Answer 3

I have a friend who is half jewish half italian, his only problem is when he goes to shopping: He doesn't know if ask for a discount or simply steal the item!!! It's a joke, I'm Italian (northern Italy, Milano Lombardia), I'm blond blue eyed and never been confused with jewish. However if somebody does I wont feel offended. No bad feelings with jewish, OK!!! Ciao, amore per tutti.

Answer 4

First, till now the holocaust, there have been Jews efficiently tending to their companies in Rome, Russia and many things of Europe. So, some have pronounced Italian names or some Italians resembles a Jewish face. for specific, loss of information would want to be modern to somebody who ask if one is Jewish at a similar time as she donning a flow and bearing an Italian call. Then for the period of the merchandising campaign to dehumanize and humiliate the Jews for the period of Europe, they began spreading the grotesque information approximately Jews killing Jesus. that would want to have caught to the minds even for the greater youthful Italian era moreso in the event that they are Roman Catholic. probable, it is extremely like eastern Indian who continuously get indignant for being wrong as Pakistani or vice versa. it is surely no longer for being what they are yet for a fashion they are all raised to have self belief.

Answer 5

The incident with your cross-wearing friend was a bit ridiculous. Otherwise, I don't see the offense. I'm not Italian, but I've had people ask me if I was other ethnicities.

I guess pride in one's heritage is the answer to that one. Also, offense at human ignorance (your friend did seem pretty obviously Italian, or at least Not Jewish.)

This reminds me of an incident. My beloved is Russian, with really white skin and a habit of wearing her grandma's crucifix. Last winter, she went out in a long skirt and her head covered, 'cause it was cold. A guy slipped on ice, and she went to help him up. He snapped at her and called her an "Arab *****"!She said she hoped he couldn't sit down all day and all his packages were broken!

Answer 6

Jewish can be a race or a religion like Orthodox Jewish instead of Messianic Jewish. Some Italians look like they came from the Jewish "race" or the children descended from Jacob.

It is hard to tell someone's intention when they ask the question. Maybe the lady that asked is Jewish by race.

Answer 7

I am Italian, but light skinned, so nobody has ever asked me that. But my mom is darker-skinned. She was born and raised in Italy. Her father helped snuggle Jews out of Italy during WW2. She has never been insulted by that.

Your friend is probably a bit anti-semetic. Ask her why she is so insulted.

Answer 8

How can you confuse Jewish people to Italians? There are really some dumba$$'s out there!

Answer 9

perhaps it is her eastern europe, mediteranean looks or it could be the lack of tact of sales people, or the ones asking are jewish and are looking for a connection. don't be angry but do correct

Answer 10

Why, because most italians are catholics.

Need I say more?