![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Cultural faux-pas, and question of the day:
[Public]
Last night I was at a party, and was introduced to a gentleman with a beard and cool hat. Typically when I'm introduced to someone, I hug them, and brother, when a economy-size woman hugs you, you know it. I could sense some unease though, and just offered to shake hands. The lovely woman who was introducing us explained that he was an Orthodox Jew, and Orthodox Jewish men cannot touch a woman with whom they are not married. Whups.
Did not know that, and it's nifty to learn, and glad I learned it before I violated a cultural more of his. My question to My Dear Readers is this: Are there any similar cultural differences you've run into socially? What are they and how do you deal with it?
Last night I was at a party, and was introduced to a gentleman with a beard and cool hat. Typically when I'm introduced to someone, I hug them, and brother, when a economy-size woman hugs you, you know it. I could sense some unease though, and just offered to shake hands. The lovely woman who was introducing us explained that he was an Orthodox Jew, and Orthodox Jewish men cannot touch a woman with whom they are not married. Whups.
Did not know that, and it's nifty to learn, and glad I learned it before I violated a cultural more of his. My question to My Dear Readers is this: Are there any similar cultural differences you've run into socially? What are they and how do you deal with it?
no subject
And apparently I shouldn't sing around a male Orthodox Jew? Hearing a woman sing is also not allowed?
no subject
also, yes, you shouldn't sing around a male Orthodox Jew (and this is also a basis for the law saying that women can't have a vocal role in the synagogue)
no subject
negiah is related to niddah which has to do with family purity laws based on a woman's "cleanliness" and "uncleanliness" during menstruation and after childbirth.
DISCLAIMER: the hebrew words are translated as "clean" and "unclean" but have a spiritual meaning more than a physical one and the concept is not one i can adequately explain here.
gay orthodox males do not have a probelm with the laws of niddah amongst themselves.
also, i have met many orthodox men who will shake hands with other women in their community if that woman offers her hand first. by offering her hand she is showing that she is not in "her time."
i recognize that these laws may seem ridiculous at best, misogynst at worst to many outside the community.
but i would urge that you be respectful of others regardless of your personal beliefs, at least in your public dealings with them.
their ways may not be yours, or even mine, but imo, orthodox jews have been part of the reason the jewish community is still in existence.
no subject
Rifka, sweets, I think you're seeing offense where none is intended.
no subject
but no, i definitely didn't see his post as being offensive.
no subject
ha:)
look, love, you're getting sir'd on the internets! woot!
no subject
i didn't mean to assume anything about gender- i think i assumed (and i totally shouldn't have- i plead being tired and hungry when i posted) because afaik zahav is a masculine word, the feminine equivalent is zahava.
but again i totally apologize if i offended.
no subject
no subject
no subject
altho i when i go into an orthodox shul i am respectful of their customs, just as i would be when i went into any culture that is different from what i do everyday.
kewl icon.
no subject
You make a good point. It's a lot about context.
And thank you for the compliment. I've collected some good icons. I'm not entirely sure I like this one as much--what do you think? :)
no subject
a friend of mine just had her bet din and we made a "list of reasons she wanted to be a jew" and it included: "drink christian's blook" "have horns" "dominate the world" "have all the money"
LMAO
no subject