Would you be offended?

Question

Would you be offended if you were jewish and i asked the following?
a)How do you keep your skull capson
b) Is it compulsory to wear it out side the synagogue

I asked when i saw a jewish man outside the office today and asked, a jewish coworker got offended. Are these types of questions not appreciated?

Answer 1

I'm not Jewish but I don't understand why someone would be offended if it was a genuine question. You are trying to learn about their faith - surely that is a good thing?

I commend you for being interested enough to ask.

Answer 2

I ALWAYS ask those type of questions and I'm not sure how well they are accepted but I think there would be less barriers between different races, religions, sexes, social groups etc. if people just asked each other questions instead of making a big deal about cultural differences. I know that sounds like a really lame answer but I'm the only English person at my job and I'm always asking people questions about their religions, how they'd describe their ethnic origin and questions about their skin colour. My collegues aren't offended and I've learnt things that may prevent me from offending others in the future (when I can remember exactly what they said at the time - I probably keep asking the same people the same questions). What was his answer?

Answer 3

They dont have a sensible answer, they only do it to prove they are superior to other people.
There was a brilliant Austrian architect in Vienna called Adolph, but he was not jewish so none of the firms of architects which were jewish owned would employ him. Adolph became depressed and woukd probably died peniless and alone in Vienna had he not responded to the patriotic call and joined the army in 1914 to protect his homeland from the foreign invader.
His spirit hardened by the horrors of the trenches he entered the world of Politics and took pleasure in putting as many jews as possible to Death, 6 million perhaps more, would giving Adolph a job have been that painful, he did brilliant plans for the Reichstag and Berlin. He might have designed some 3 bed semis noit joined the army, or formed the nazis, or built the death camps, or killed 6 million plus Jews. The moral here, dont **** with a shortarse.

Answer 4

They're not offensive in my view. I've heard many offensive comments in my time, but your questions seem genuine and innocent.

Obviously, it's all in the way you say it.

It wouldn't do to say; "How the f**k do you keep those silly hats on? I bet it gets itchy wearing it all day and night?"

The context of when you asked is also to be considered:

If you were in a formal environment (like the office) your Jewish colleague might have just found it un-professional of you to ask a question which she might perceive as a loaded one.

I don't know: I don't think they're offensive.

Answer 5

No I wouldn't be offended, unless of course it was asked in a mocking manner, but it doesn't sound like it was. I don't know if you wanted answers to the questions, but it is common for skull caps to be held on with hair grips (the simple metal kerby grip type). I don't think it's compulsory to wear them outside the synagogue.

Answer 6

Maybe the coworker got offended because you so publicly mentioned it.. Who knows.
It's a good thing you were compelled enough to ask. Perhaps try asking here, I'd like to know also.

Answer 7

I don't think your questions where offensive but it depends on the tone of your voice when you asked the question. I'm a Muslim and i don't find it offensive when people are curious and ask me certain questions as long as the question comes from a genuine interest in knowing the answer. But if you asked out of genuine curiosity I don't see how these question where offensive to him.

Answer 8

I wouldn't worry about it. Some people are really uptight about their religion. You do, however, have to be -very- careful about not stepping on other people's toes in the office because people could claim harassment. It might be best (in order to keep your job) to leave the religious topics out of the workplace, and just leave the Jews alone.

Answer 9

Much like any other question, I think the offense would be found in the manner in which one posed it, not the question itself. "Is the wearing of the yarmulke compulsory in Judaism?" is a whole lot different than, "Hey Heeb, what's with the beanie?"

If you posed the question in a thoughtful and respectful manner, and the person was offended, I think you found a person with exceedingly thin skin.

Answer 10

this is the exact thing that annoys me! when we ask simple questions some religions get offended.
but, we have to sacrifice the cross on many things including christmas cards because we offend people.

why cant everyone just be civilised. its not like u said it in a mocking way, you was just genuinly interested, grrrrr.

they can critise us but we cant ask a simple question?!?!

no offence to people of a different religion who do appreciate questions, its just my experience.