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

Question

I've noticed that some 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.
Thank you, Nicole

Answer 1

Most people are proud of their heritage. When the obvious signs are there that you are not Jewish, it is offensive that someone doesn't catch the clues - not because you're being called Jewish, but because someone else is not paying attention. Why a sales person would ever ask about someone's heritage is beyond me.

I have an irregular, but not totally uncommon spelling to my name, and I get annoyed when people reply to my e-mails with the wrong spelling. I've signed my name spelled correctly, and it's at the top of the e-mail. It's disrespectful. It says that I am not even worth the time to know my proper name.

I don't blame your friend for being offended.

Answer 2

First, before the holocaust, there have been Jews effectively tending to their agencies in Rome, Russia and many aspects of Europe. So, some have observed Italian names or some Italians resembles a Jewish face. for sure, lack of information would desire to be contemporary to somebody who ask if one is Jewish whilst she wearing a go and bearing an Italian call. Then during the marketing campaign to dehumanize and humiliate the Jews throughout Europe, they began spreading the gruesome information approximately Jews killing Jesus. That would desire to have caught to the minds even for the extra youthful Italian era moreso in the event that they are Roman Catholic. possibly, it is barely like jap Indian who continuously get indignant for being unsuitable as Pakistani or vice versa. it is unquestionably no longer for being what they are yet for the way they are all raised to have confidence.

Answer 3

I don't know if I would be insulted about being asked if I were Jewish. I would be insulted if someone I didn't know asked me about my heritage and religion!

The clerk could say something like "Marcella" what a beautiful name! How did you get that name? (or something like that!)
Marcella, then could say "Thank you very much, I am named after my Italian grandmother!" (or words to that effect).

Answer 4

yeah, idk y everyone is anti-semitic now a days its pretty disturbing i mean, its almost as bad than world war 2, not really, but the muslims in the middle east sure hate jewish people my father is of jewish origin, he doesnt practice or anything hes a scientist sooo he doesnt believe in any religion, but people think my dad and i are italian all the time. even italians mistake us. HAHA i dont really call myself jewish because my mom is catholic (shes irish and ukranian though)

Answer 5

most italians are catholic, and about your friend with the cross incident in the store...that woman was very ignorant, jews dont wear crosses(because they dont beleive messiah has come) and the name marcella obviously isnt jewish.

Answer 6

Nic, tell Marcie to just say "no speaka engla" when those idiots ask her stuff like that. And if she wants, she can add "Iberia! Iberia" and hoot loudly, pumping her italian fist in the air.


Northern Italians are often blonde and tall.
my boss is 6'3, norwegian and an orthodox jew.

Answer 7

Sounds like to me she over reacts - people are just making small talk and trying to be nice. And why assume that the woman knows Jewish people do not identify with the cross? I think some people are just way to sensetive. Why didn't she just say, "No ma'am I am not." and leave it at that?

Answer 8

I would get offended if someone thought I was Jewish. Period.

Answer 9

Italians look like iraqis.

You cant differenciate them. Definitely not jewish.

Answer 10

yes, just like its an insult to be asked if your an italian when your a ROMAN.