Whats the myth about Jewish people being "cheap" and where did that come from?

Question

Why do people dislike jews so much? What did they do?

Whats so bad about being in the money loaning business?

Answer 1

In Europe during the Middle Ages many money lenders were Jewish. Christian's didn't want to work as money lenders. It was forbidden in their religion at that time and it was a low position in the social order. There were also many laws which prevented Jews from getting other jobs (they could not own land for example) - They were forced to do the jobs that no one else would.

Because of this common job among Jews, certain associations grew about how they are with money.

Answer 2

I never thought Jewish people were cheap until I had a few Jewish landlords who were too cheap to fix simple repairs in the apartments I lived in, and one who didn't pay the hot water bill occasionally, although she lived in a mansion and was wealthy. Also, the Jewish people I've been employed by have been extremely stingy with raises, much more than non-Jews. I still don't dislike Jews, but I do think that many of them are cheap.

Answer 3

Every religion has done something to lower others' opinion of it. I guess it came from, among other things, the fact that Jews were often bankers. The idea of money and Jews went together for a long time. People took it that way in some cases. Others are just prejudiced.

Answer 4

Jews, in the past, tended to have a high percentage of astute businessmen. Being good at business and giving away lots of money tend not to go well. Hence the 'cheap' jokes..

Answer 5

It all started in ancient Europe, where Jews had to trust no one but their own money, because the lovely gentiles who hosted them never told them when will be the exact moment where they'll be drunk and capricious enough to throw them away.
Jews had to save their money close to them and make enough of it in order to be independent and run away when they'll have to.

And now the call us cheap. Oy vey.

Answer 6

people tend to dislike people who are more talented and intelligent, creative and humorous, successful and productive than they. especially when those people represent an incredibly small percentage of the world's population, yet seem to be very prominent in all fields of human endeavor that matter, including the esoteric and artistic. thus, they berate them , and to the extent possible murder them to make themselves feel better. completely deserved low self esteem can be very motivating for performing unpleasant, violent acts against those who constantly remind you of your mediocrity. does that pretty much cover it?

Answer 7

It is sheer jealousy on the part of those that cannot obtain success. I think that has been the reason forever-sheer jealousy.

Answer 8

I never heard that...hm...