Romanian Question or Jewish Question?

Question

Was being a fruit peddler or fruit merchant a common job for Romanian people who came to the United States in the early 1900's?

Answer 1

It was a common temporary job for a lot of immigrant groups, not just the Romanian. But it was one easy was for someone to build some small amount of wealth. Buy fruit or produce for a small amount, sell it for more, and if you can't sell it you can always eat what's left over. Some immigrants, including Romanians and Jews then went from fruit merchants into store or shop owners or owners of restaurants.

Answer 2

I happen to be Romanian, but I don't know anything about the occupations of Romanian emigrants to the US in the "early 1900's", except the fact that my grandfather told me his father worked at the railroad in America.

To my mind there's no reason for a peddler or fruit merchant to be a common job for Romanians, as they are not more common here than in other parts of the world. I'm actually a bit curious where this question came from... it's like asking: is building nests a more common "occupation" for one particular species of birds than for others? :)

Answer 3

Yes, especially if you arrived alone, but there were many families who relied on this type of trade to survive. A peddler's license was inexpensive (in New York City) and the person could pick up things in bulk, meaning that he/she could go to the docks, factories, markets, buy a large amount of something for a lot less per (then buying one or two items). With a pushcart, this individual could go to many neighborhoods and make a living. After money was saved, the next step was to rent a storefront and open a small buisness. If that person had a family, they could live in the back of the store. Many of the big supermarket chains started out like this.

Answer 4

definite and why not. The BNP flow on approximately being British yet i might ask basically what's British. Is an Italian British because of the fact the Roman legions conquered our land some 2000 years in the past and settled right here for extremely it sluggish. Or are we Scandinavian following the viking conquests, fantastically in the Newcastle section. the place does William the Conqueror come into it.