Conversation with coworker |
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 Jul 30 2008, 10:24 AM
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#1
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 Rebbe  Group: Members Posts: 1,047 Joined: 25-April 06 Member No.: 2,666  |
You are speaking with a Jewish, non-observant coworker. Your coworker, who is aware that you are shomer shabbos, asks you something along the lines of “Are you observant to the point where you don’t use electronic devices on Shabbat? Are you “religious” to that degree?”
You respond, “No, I don’t”, meaning you don’t use electronic devices. Your coworker understands you to be saying, “No, I’m not that observant”, and says something like, “Yeah, those people are crazy. They are the problem with Judaism today.” What would you do at this point? (This happened to me this week.) |
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Jul 30 2008, 10:25 AM
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#2
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 Rebbe Group: Members Posts: 1,735 Joined: 26-October 04 Member No.: 754 |
Tell him/her, "No, no, I meant that I'm one of those crazy people."
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Jul 30 2008, 10:28 AM
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#3
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 Rebbe Group: Members Posts: 1,637 Joined: 17-September 07 Member No.: 6,891 |
QUOTE (Flickster @ Jul 30 2008, 11:24 AM)  You are speaking with a Jewish, non-observant coworker. Your coworker, who is aware that you are shomer shabbos, asks you something along the lines of “Are you observant to the point where you don’t use electronic devices on Shabbat? Are you “religious” to that degree?” You respond, “No, I don’t”, meaning you don’t use electronic devices. Your coworker understands you to be saying, “No, I’m not that observant”, and says something like, “Yeah, those people are crazy. They are the problem with Judaism today.” What would you do at this point? (This happened to me this week.) Oy.....talk about an uncomfortable situation. At that point I would probably clarify what I meant and put the ball in his/her court and let that person try to explain away what he/she had said and apologize. |
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Jul 30 2008, 10:31 AM
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#4
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 Now A Genome Sequencer  Group: Members Posts: 13,050 Joined: 23-May 05 From: Tipah Sirucha Member No.: 1,516 |
QUOTE (Flickster @ Jul 30 2008, 11:24 AM) You are speaking with a Jewish, non-observant coworker. Your coworker, who is aware that you are shomer shabbos, asks you something along the lines of "Are you observant to the point where you don't use electronic devices on Shabbat? Are you "religious" to that degree?" You respond, "No, I don't", meaning you don't use electronic devices. Your coworker understands you to be saying, "No, I'm not that observant", and says something like, "Yeah, those people are crazy. They are the problem with Judaism today." What would you do at this point? (This happened to me this week.) I'd be curious why s/he thinks that is the problem with judaism today, so I'd ask. 9 -------------------- "Eat. Spit. Be Happy." -Davids
"Who is wise? he who can learn from every man. can be applied here, getting 'inspiration' from a one eyed whacko." - soapmaker " He who stands on toilet is high on pot" -Confucius " When life gives you lemons make lemonade..... but if life gives you a handful of cr@p, dont try making anything out of it, trust me on that one. -Dahlai Lama " I love Jews." -Somebody must have said it, somewhere "A good friend will come and bail you out of jail................. but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "d@mn that was fun". Make aliyah, or aliyah will make you. OFF SAVING THE WORLD |
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Jul 30 2008, 12:32 PM
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#5
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 Newbie Emeritus Group: Members Posts: 6,257 Joined: 27-September 04 From: Earth Member No.: 710 |
QUOTE (Flickster @ Jul 30 2008, 11:24 AM) You are speaking with a Jewish, non-observant coworker. Your coworker, who is aware that you are shomer shabbos, asks you something along the lines of “Are you observant to the point where you don’t use electronic devices on Shabbat? Are you “religious” to that degree?” You respond, “No, I don’t”, meaning you don’t use electronic devices. Your coworker understands you to be saying, “No, I’m not that observant”, and says something like, “Yeah, those people are crazy. They are the problem with Judaism today.” What would you do at this point? (This happened to me this week.) Truthfully it would probably depend on the existing dynamics of my relationship with said coworker. If it was someone with whom I would prefer not to be confrontational, I would probably just let it go. Otherwise, I would clarify my answer and explain my beliefs. -------------------- Do you love the IRS? If so please do NOT support the FairTax proposal!
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Jul 30 2008, 01:52 PM
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#6
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 Gabbai  Group: Members Posts: 617 Joined: 23-June 08 Member No.: 7,338 |
QUOTE (Classic @ Jul 30 2008, 11:25 AM) Tell him/her, "No, no, I meant that I'm one of those crazy people." Hee hee.  Would love to see the look on her/his face.QUOTE (doodlehead @ Jul 30 2008, 11:31 AM) Good point. QUOTE (Pure Myrrh @ Jul 30 2008, 01:32 PM) Truthfully it would probably depend on the existing dynamics of my relationship with said coworker. If it was someone with whom I would prefer not to be confrontational, I would probably just let it go. Otherwise, I would clarify my answer and explain my beliefs. Agreed. -------------------- דעו מאביכם כי לא בוש אבוש שוב אשוב אליכם כי בא מועד
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Jul 30 2008, 02:04 PM
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#7
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 Knows she doesn't know Group: Members Posts: 5,088 Joined: 19-July 04 Member No.: 583 |
I'd say, why do you think that's the case? Let coworker explain and then I'd say, oh, because I'm one of them...
-------------------- Proud member of the "I don't always wait until I finish reading the thread to respond" club. ~~~~~~~~~~ As for me, I would rather be able to love things I cannot have, than to have things I'm not able to love. .~Merrit Malloy IMPVHO |
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Jul 30 2008, 02:11 PM
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#8
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Rebbe Group: Members Posts: 1,047 Joined: 25-April 06 Member No.: 2,666 |
QUOTE (TheDuncePolice @ Jul 30 2008, 03:04 PM) I'd say, why do you think that's the case? Let coworker explain and then I'd say, oh, because I'm one of them... And now, you will forever have an awkward relationship with this coworker. The coworker in my situation is not someone I see on a daily basis. I didn't really think there was any reason for him to know where I was, or was not, "that observant." When he made his remark, I just gave a half smile and changed the topic. |
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Jul 30 2008, 03:14 PM
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#9
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 Rebbe Group: Members Posts: 1,091 Joined: 10-February 07 From: Bristol Member No.: 4,893 |
QUOTE (Flickster @ Jul 30 2008, 04:24 PM) You are speaking with a Jewish, non-observant coworker. Your coworker, who is aware that you are shomer shabbos, asks you something along the lines of “Are you observant to the point where you don’t use electronic devices on Shabbat? Are you “religious” to that degree?” You respond, “No, I don’t”, meaning you don’t use electronic devices. Your coworker understands you to be saying, “No, I’m not that observant”, and says something like, “Yeah, those people are crazy. They are the problem with Judaism today.” What would you do at this point? (This happened to me this week.) I'd respond 'Actually, I'm Amish.' -------------------- Javol!
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Jul 30 2008, 07:32 PM
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#10
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Knows she doesn't know Group: Members Posts: 5,088 Joined: 19-July 04 Member No.: 583 |
QUOTE (Flickster @ Jul 30 2008, 03:11 PM) And now, you will forever have an awkward relationship with this coworker. The coworker in my situation is not someone I see on a daily basis. I didn't really think there was any reason for him to know where I was, or was not, "that observant." When he made his remark, I just gave a half smile and changed the topic. No. I don't think the relationship need be awkward. It's up to you. I think it depends on your confidence etc... -------------------- Proud member of the "I don't always wait until I finish reading the thread to respond" club. ~~~~~~~~~~ As for me, I would rather be able to love things I cannot have, than to have things I'm not able to love. .~Merrit Malloy IMPVHO |
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Jul 31 2008, 08:48 AM
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#11
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Rebbe Group: Members Posts: 1,047 Joined: 25-April 06 Member No.: 2,666 |
QUOTE (TheDuncePolice @ Jul 30 2008, 08:32 PM) No. I don't think the relationship need be awkward. It's up to you. I think it depends on your confidence etc... You are having a conversation with a coworker who you assume is white and you make a derogitory comment about African Americans. He respons by telling you, "actually, my father is black." You would not feel forever awkward around this person? |
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Jul 31 2008, 08:55 AM
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#12
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Rebbe Group: Members Posts: 1,091 Joined: 10-February 07 From: Bristol Member No.: 4,893 |
QUOTE (Flickster @ Jul 31 2008, 01:48 PM) You are having a conversation with a coworker who you assume is white and you make a derogitory comment about African Americans. He respons by telling you, "actually, my father is black." You would not feel forever awkward around this person? invite the person over for a drink (or a meal, etc.) after the conversation. -------------------- Javol!
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Aug 7 2008, 09:58 AM
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#13
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 Rebbe Group: Members Posts: 1,920 Joined: 13-January 05 From: The not-so-big Apple Member No.: 1,017 |
QUOTE (bauerskates613 @ Jul 31 2008, 09:55 AM) invite the person over for a drink (or a meal, etc.) after the conversation. Specifically for a drink at your next Shabbos meal after the convo. -------------------- "I dare because I am Brianna, you twit." - Nubie Goddess
"That's a very good point. I'm impressed." - melech "Honey who said anything about tefillin dates, there was no tefillin involved." - Holy "We are all going in der erd arain. The difference is the route ..." -shaya_getzl "If only life had an "edit" feature." - mosheshmeal "Would you like a logical fallacy with your meal of unsupported assertion?" - yadfothgildloc "Forgive me, I thought there was a debate going on. I didn't realize I stepped into an argument." - Accolade http://www.livejournal.com/users/miketab/ |
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