Subtile Anti-Semetism in the retail world

[Sephania]

Have you come across this kind of thing? Maybe you have but really didn't notice it. I'll give a couple of examples.

One food store I shop at has a large refridgerated case that contains Kosher deli products, cheeses, and salads, knishes, kreplach, Lox, etc, and in the middle of all these foods, ahhhhhhhhh, some gehockteh leber!!!!!:yum: ( chopped Liver)

Oh, but wait, what does that say on the label???????:eek:

Not Kosher??????


What is it doing in the Kosher deli case ??? And why the torment?? AgGH!:sigh:



Then another store I used to shop at, in the Kosher section of the 'international area' where you find Matzah, and gefilte fish, mixes for kugel and soups and falafeel and latkes, there are about 4-5 shelves about 4 feet wide where all the boxed, canned, jarred kosher products are. A what is next to them on each shelf??? Canned ham ,:eek: like spam but from South America. Not just on one shelf mind you, but on everyone butting up right next to the Kosher items on each shelf. :doh:

Have you seen stuff like this in your neighborhood stores?

[Talmidah]

Have you seen stuff like this in your neighborhood stores?

No, I haven't. But I rarely shop for things at the regular supermarket. I might go in for some vegetables/fruit or bread if I need in a pinch, but all my main shopping is at kosher markets only.

[Sephania]

These are all we have, we have no specific Kosher markets nor eateries despite our large Jewish population :( The one I mentioned has a large Kosher deli section, but the store seems hostile to Jews. :(

[Talmidah]

These are all we have, we have no specific Kosher markets nor eateries despite our large Jewish population :( The one I mentioned has a large Kosher deli section, but the store seems hostile to Jews. :(

How awful! There was one store that I asked if they had kosher cheese. They didn't but asked for my name and they'd order some. They called a few days later to let me know it had come in and they've been stocking it ever since. And I have checked out the (tiny) kosher sections at other stores once in a while and haven't noticed anything like that.

[Wags]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/Wags374/AKoosheraPesach.jpg

A picture is worth a thousand words......

[plum]

oh my lol wags

[BarbB]

Too funny, wags.

I picked up a glass jar of cranberry sause that specifically said it was kosher for Passover. They lied! :eek: Further on the label it said to serve with your holiday ham! :D

I have a tiny kosher section at my local market - not good for much except matso and Shabbos candles! :D

[philmwri]

I work at a publix grocery store and our kosher section is so small and right now we have tons of matzos on sale becuase i was probablt the only person buying them!My store does the same thing during pesach they advertise kosher and non- kosher products together.all the jews in my county live the northeratern and western part of the county!we have one kosher grocery store here.

[Sephania]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/Wags374/AKoosheraPesach.jpg

A picture is worth a thousand words...... Oy VAy!:doh: that is just what I am talking about!:sigh:

That reminded me, at one of the markets that I shop in ( and this is in the middle of the biggest Jewish neighborhood in the whole county) they give away a Turkey or Ham for Easter and you can choose a Kosher Turkey. So this year I had bought enough to get one and I got there just before they ran out ( which I was praising HaShem for because my Kosher online meat order fell through! ) and I got the second to last frozen turkey , 4 days before Passover. When I checked out, and got the sales slip I checked to make sure they had taken off the $24.00 ticket price and what did I see? Free Easter Ham! Yes, that is what they have me purchasing along with all my other Kosher for Passover items !:doh: :prayer:

[Torah]

Someone finally did it! Got the pig to chew its cud! ROFL



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/Wags374/AKoosheraPesach.jpg

[simchat_torah]

I laughed out loud.

[simchat_torah]

Dunno if this is "subtle" or what not, but some time ago I was in a grocery store and an older man was giving me my change back. He accidently shortchanged me a dollar and I pointed it out (not that I care about the dollar, but cashiers can get in trouble if their drawer is off). He laughed and said, "I wouldn't Jew you like that" and gave me my dollar.

I was flabbergasted and wasn't sure how to respond. Do I say, "Good sir, I AM a Jew?" lol... anyway, I just... blinked. Walked away. I was tempted to even report him to his manager, but I just let it go and left.

[stone]

Dunno if this is "subtle" or what not, but some time ago I was in a grocery store and an older man was giving me my change back. He accidently shortchanged me a dollar and I pointed it out (not that I care about the dollar, but cashiers can get in trouble if their drawer is off). He laughed and said, "I wouldn't Jew you like that" and gave me my dollar.

I was flabbergasted and wasn't sure how to respond. Do I say, "Good sir, I AM a Jew?" lol... anyway, I just... blinked. Walked away. I was tempted to even report him to his manager, but I just let it go and left.

i think i may need prayers that when i find myself in these situations, that i don't do something that ends me up in jail.

[Sephania]

I would have said "what do you mean?" and watch them squirm. Let the Spirit convict them when they have to take responsibility for their words.

[Homesick4Heaven]

I cover my hair while out and have been sked so many times what mosque I worship at! What makes them think I am muslim because I wear a snood?! I also wear a Star of David on a necklace, if they even looked at me they would know I am not muslim. Our closest kosher grocery is over 2 hours away, so I am stuck with Kroger (very limited, did not even have Pesach matzah) and Publix.

My husband works for Babies R Us. This year around the holiday madness, a woman from NJ came inand asked for the Chanukah clothes for newborns. Of course, they don't carry anything but Santa and such. She threw a temper tantrum in the middle of the store and was removed by police for the disturbance.

I could not find anything that said Happy Chanukah, had a dreidle, or any other connection to Chanukah except at TJ Maxx. And they were clearanced to 50% off on the second day of Chanukkah, just like the Christmas stuff.

[stone]

Not so long ago, the cafeteria in the building was taken over by a new catering company. These guys are much better than the last, but most of what they sell i won't buy.

The 1st time i went in there, a few months back now, i asked for a breakfast taco with some eggs and potatoes. She grabs a flour tortilla, places it in the palm of her hand opened. Then she reaches over and grabs the tongs out of the bacon pan! I said, "Stop!, what are you doing? Don't do that, they touched bacon!" Another woman came from the kitchen to see what was going on. She told her in spanish what i said. The other lady that had come from the kitchen, walked back in the kitchen and returned with clean tongs and handed them to her. She never asked me anything about why or what, she made my taco and gave it to me. lol she always gives me some kind of an odd suspicious look when i go in there now, i just look at her and smile. I just buy breads and recently soup from there now, and soda's.

Today when i went to the cafeteria, the big chalk board out in front of the entrance read, "BAKED FISH" and some other veggies along with it. I thought this could be good, but when i went in there i saw a big pan full of bacon balancing half over the fish. lol, i gotta soda and left, decided since i had a rather large breakfast I'll settle for a snack from the vending machine.

That sign in the market, i would have taken it down right then and there. If i would have needed a ladder, i would have asked for the manager and gotten one. If i couldn't do any of that, i would have gotten some scissors and cut off the bottom of the sign and put it somewhere else. I would have explained to the manager why, if i could find him or her.

[Dr. Shon]

Is it anti-Semitism? Or just plain gross ignorance? I'm sure at least part of the time it's intentional. But often I'll bet it's just lack of understanding or knowledge about the Jewish faith and customs.

Then again, that may be a naive point of view on my part. I sure hope not.

[Sephania]

Since before Yeshua came, gentiles have known the way to 'get to a Jew' or to be abhorant to them and it somehow always invovles a swine. It still happens today. Ask any Messianic who is the only one in their family ( gentile ones of course) and when they go to dinner at relatives, that is the first thing they try to feed them.

I think it's Satanic, but that is just me.

But then again the boar ( wild pig) was the 'god' that the Egyptians related to the devil.

The famous Tammuz from Babylon? the animal associated with him is not the goat like many think, but the boar.

[Homesick4Heaven]

Yep, we went to the in-laws for 'Easter.' I took the kids so they could see family that was in town they haven't seen in 2 years. What does MIL serve? HAM! and then has the nerve to tell my son it doesn't matter if he is Jewish or not he can still eat it! We left immediately and have not been back.

When they were here last week she finally got it into her head we believe in the Messiah and are not Orthodox. Geezzzz.

[Sephania]

Yes there definatly is a spirit of anti Kosher law and a form of anti-semitism connected to the pig. I have been doing a study for some while, gathering information from many ages to support this theory of mine. It involves the heavenly rhelms so isn't always easy to research.

[P_G]

I think part of it is plain lazyness I shop for Kosher products at Wegmans which is Jewish owned. You would think that the very nice Kosher section they have would be more stand alone but noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

right next to the tastey smoked chubs and lox and other delectable goodies straight from wonderful Kosher stores in NYC what do we see in the next refridgerator section? Pickles maybe? Something neutral? Noooooooooo

Ham and Wieners of course (not kosher dogs neither)


Zayit check out the one over in Bethlehem see do I tell a tale!

I think they are just lazy. But at least I can get a nice Challah fresh baked from NY there - Why the instore bakery can't make them baffles me.


PG

[stone]

lol, today on the chalk board:

large HAM STEAKS!

:sick:

[Sephania]

I think part of it is plain lazyness I shop for Kosher products at Wegmans which is Jewish owned. You would think that the very nice Kosher section they have would be more stand alone but noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

right next to the tastey smoked chubs and lox and other delectable goodies straight from wonderful Kosher stores in NYC what do we see in the next refridgerator section? Pickles maybe? Something neutral? Noooooooooo

Ham and Wieners of course (not kosher dogs neither)


Zayit check out the one over in Bethlehem see do I tell a tale!

I think they are just lazy. But at least I can get a nice Challah fresh baked from NY there - Why the instore bakery can't make them baffles me.


PG In the prepared foods refrigerated section at mine ( the sister town over) they have shrimp and crab. :eek: What really annoys me is that they used to have the kosher meats in the same section , but recently they moved them in with the other meats, It says Kosher on the heading, but when you go and look you see maybe two of the four shelves under that heading with some empire chickens and then under that they slip in Wegmans turkeys, I can't tell you how many times I grabbed one of them before I saw, it wasnt' Kosher. :doh: and then went Grrrrrr.

For the little bit of meat they have there , there was no need to move the meats out, for what? so they could put the UN Kosher chopped liver in there I meantioned before?

Yes, they have a lovely Unkosher bakery, which in my store is right next to the kosher deli, go figure. I dont' buy my baked goods there, I shop at Giant which does have a LVKC certified Kosher bakery. But I generally bake my own Challah, or in a pinch, buy Kineret ( frozen challah dough) and bake that, occasionally I buy one of Giants Challahs, which are very good . :)


More than anything, over and above the aggrivation what speaks to me loudest is if they are so going out of their ways to be offensive and not sensitive to our dietary needs then they must be of G-d, else the whole world would be wanting to do it and be catered to.

[Homesick4Heaven]

I think part of it is plain lazyness I shop for Kosher products at Wegmans which is Jewish owned. You would think that the very nice Kosher section they have would be more stand alone but noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

right next to the tastey smoked chubs and lox and other delectable goodies straight from wonderful Kosher stores in NYC what do we see in the next refridgerator section? Pickles maybe? Something neutral? Noooooooooo

Ham and Wieners of course (not kosher dogs neither)


Zayit check out the one over in Bethlehem see do I tell a tale!

I think they are just lazy. But at least I can get a nice Challah fresh baked from NY there - Why the instore bakery can't make them baffles me.


PG
Challah is very easy to make, the hardest part is getting a pretty braid. No reason they couldn't make their own.

[Sephania]

I came across something over the W/e that related to this topic. I went to Barnes and Noble ( where in their cafe they carry Kosher cheesecake, not that they advertise it, but I know the brand.:) ) and was looking over in the religous section. I noticed that there was a change in the order of sections. Where once the Judaica section used to be next to the Christian section it now is moved.

Let me explaing the set-up of B&Nfor those not familiar. They have bookshelves on the floor ( not the ones lining the outerwalls) that are about 5 feet high, so most adults can look over them to see the Sections/headings they are looking for. They are topped with a sign that has lettering approx. 5 inches high stating the catagory of books found in that section. There are six shelves total. On the shelves themselves if there is not enough of one heading, you may find another topic named in 1/2" letters on the edge of the shelf. Sometimes this is used for sub-catagories, but other times for main catagories.

So now I am looking for the Jewish books, Bibles, etc and don't find them near the Christian section ( which is not bordered by the Gay and Lesbian section) but instead I find them on the opposite side in the next isle.


On the top of the shelves, the large 5" letter Heading reads:


RELIGIOUS FICTION

Three shelves down starts the Judaic section ( with 1/2" lettering) with the first books being, the Tanakh, the Torah, and bible commontaries.

The next section is labled ( in 5" letters) Judaica, but that is only for the top three shelves, under which you find , Eastern Religions, Buddism, Hinduism......................

:doh: Oy!

[Homesick4Heaven]

yep, same here.

shelf 1 side one-bibles, side 2 more bibles and commentaries.

shelf 2 side one-judaica (Torah and TNK are now Judaica) /eastern religions-including Buddha, Shinto, Hindu, and all the other -isms/islam

shelf 2 side 2-gay and lesbian topics

then you move into the self help section. All the while the shelves facing you as you look over these 4 foot sections is religious fiction. You cannot turnaround without being offended at what is staring you in the face. With the new layout here. I would be more comfortable (and it woudl be more appropriately placed) looking for Torah or TNK mixed in with the christian bibles that the Koran and the hindu for dummies guides. To make it even worse, on the side facing the religious fictionis the childrens area! They have to walk past the rubbish to get to their books.

The shelves are arranged on floor something like this, with the | and ____ being the long rows of bookshelves and the ----being the 4 foot sections:

__________ (magazines and newspapers are along this wall)
| ---- |
| ---- | room full of bookshelves --> front door/registers
| ---- |
| ---- |
| ---- |

<--walkway to children's section over the half wall of language books on other side of 'religious section'.

[Sephania]

Sounds like it is a corporate call across the board, mine is like that too. Do you have to walk through the childrens section to get to the bathrooms? And past throught the main section which has the Harry potter section next to bible story books?

there really is no more hiding it is there? The serpent no longer whispers, nor slithers around in the grass, he has made legs for himself and walks about unashamed and in plain view, yet for all the modern technology, most have been blinded, younger and younger. :( :sigh:

[Homesick4Heaven]

Sounds like it is a corporate call across the board, mine is like that too. Do you have to walk through the childrens section to get to the bathrooms? And past throught the main section which has the Harry potter section next to bible story books?

there really is no more hiding it is there? The serpent no longer whispers, nor slithers around in the grass, he has made legs for himself and walks about unashamed and in plain view, yet for all the modern technology, most have been blinded, younger and younger. :( :sigh:
No, Harry Potter is slapping you in the eyeballs as you walk in the door and down the main walk way and at the check out line. I have no idea about where the bathrooms are because I never use them. When I go in, I run in and out and only look at what I am searching for. If I need a potty stop, I go elsewhere because I am usually stopping at B&N as a last stop or the first one. Nothing against the ability to provide a good potty,just haven't been in there when the need arose.

I was tempted to stop one afternoon and get a slice of the cheesecake and a cup of chai latte, but the gal behind the counter said sstarted to cut it with the knife she was slicing the ham with. When I asked her if she would wash it in between, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a rag and said she would wipe the ham juice off with that before cutting the cake. I walked away quickly.

[Homesick4Heaven]

Sounds like it is a corporate call across the board, mine is like that too. Do you have to walk through the childrens section to get to the bathrooms? And past throught the main section which has the Harry potter section next to bible story books?

there really is no more hiding it is there? The serpent no longer whispers, nor slithers around in the grass, he has made legs for himself and walks about unashamed and in plain view, yet for all the modern technology, most have been blinded, younger and younger. :( :sigh:
No, Harry Potter is slapping you in the eyeballs as you walk in the door and down the main walk way and at the check out line. I have no idea about where the bathrooms are because I never use them. When I go in, I run in and out and only look at what I am searching for. If I need a potty stop, I go elsewhere because I am usually stopping at B&N as a last stop or the first one. Nothing against the ability to provide a good potty,just haven't been in there when the need arose.

[BarbB]

there really is no more hiding it is there? The serpent no longer whispers, nor slithers around in the grass, he has made legs for himself and walks about unashamed and in plain view, yet for all the modern technology, most have been blinded, younger and younger. :( :sigh:

It's only going to get worse, Zayit. My public library is becoming a cesspool also. The religion are all anti-Messiah books and liberal claptrap. I request Christian fiction and am directed to trash. I only took 4 books out this year (that's YEAR and I used to be 4 books a week). I found a new biography of Derek Prince and 3 books on the Haggadah (sp?). Best books I've had out of there in 2 years. ....

Edited: :sorry:

[P_G]

Perhaps if we look more globaly it is not that the world is Anti Semite
it has simply become Anti G-d!

And while we as Messianics may feel a bit more sting when it comes to diatary things trust me our Christian brothers are getting the snot kicked out of them too with just what we have been discussing here


By the way let me speak of something positive. Our little shul has a close relationship with a large Baptist church. We have had some pot lucks together and such and I always ask Please no Pork no Shell fish. These precious souls have developed such a love for us that they spend tons of time looking for Kosher recipies to bring and asking me for adivice

Daynu!

know what? Many of them have given up non kosher meats because of it!

Our lot is not easy but it is rewarding

PG

[Sephania]

No, Harry Potter is slapping you in the eyeballs as you walk in the door and down the main walk way and at the check out line. I have no idea about where the bathrooms are because I never use them. When I go in, I run in and out and only look at what I am searching for. If I need a potty stop, I go elsewhere because I am usually stopping at B&N as a last stop or the first one. Nothing against the ability to provide a good potty,just haven't been in there when the need arose.

I was tempted to stop one afternoon and get a slice of the cheesecake and a cup of chai latte, but the gal behind the counter said sstarted to cut it with the knife she was slicing the ham with. When I asked her if she would wash it in between, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a rag and said she would wipe the ham juice off with that before cutting the cake. I walked away quickly.

I'm not sure what cake they were cutting, at ours the CC's come pre-sliced , hopefully the factory isn't making ham and cheese cakes! :eek: Now you got me a wondering, and this was the only place out we ever go.

Oh well, such is the world.

[stone]

So yesterday i'm running around knocking out some errands, and i decide to go through the jack and the box drive through and get a burger quickly. I get back here to my desk, and continue where i left off, I was in an argument, not a debate, it was an argument, with what appears to me as a couple of atheist masqueradeing around in the christian only side of the forums as christians. I decided to kind of blow them off after reading their last 100 post and seeing that it's all flames, anyrate, I'm eating my fries, take a bite out of me burger and something was not right? I tasted bacon! I opened the burger and it had like extra extra bacon on it! I was furious! *

Do you think they were trying to do me a favor?

I threw everything in the trash, ran to the restroom and washed out my mouth. :mad:

[Sephania]

I'm sorry Stone, but eating at FF resturants will kill you in more ways than one. Did you know that those burgers could contain pigs blood in them? or even pig fat? Or the fat that the L-rD said on a cow belongs only to him, as a perpetual law, in all generations? Blood and fat is what makes up a big percnetage of ff burgers, also that meat may not even be beef. Fries could be fried in lard , or that same beef fat that the L-rD commands is his. It is only because He loves us, and wants us to be holy,

Is it not possible to pack your own lunch for work?

Do you have any Subways around you?

[stone]

I've brought my lunch today, probably tomorrow too. Subway sounds good. I've about had it with these ff places.

[Sephania]

:thumbsup: :hug:

[jgonz]

Chick Fil A uses peanut oil Only. (I know this for a fact since my oldest DD has worked there for nearly 6 yrs and is in management). They do have bacon to add on the chicken sandwiches though, but they make everything to order and the place is Extremely clean. It's one of the few fast food places I'll eat from.

[plum]

woah folks.... let's not resort to flaming people who can't defend themselves here. I hate the sin of homosexuality too, but really...
assuming people are homosexual or assuming what they like to read or why they hand you a burger... goodness, i'm getting diappointed! where is our witness?
Please keep it from getting into a gripe-fest :) I think PG's post was very uplifting and encouraging so I must thank him for giving us some perspective on how the challenge of eating according to Biblical standards and living that way is rewarding and yet so difficult..

remember, it's about our hearts. our love-motivation to obey. hehe obviously we're really passionate about this! :thumbsup:

never compromise the Truth, but the same goes for our witness to those who silently watch.

[stone]

I'm the only one who has said anything about that. I'll go back and edit it out, it's not necessary. It just added to my anger is all. That probably does it for me, i'm done with fast food beef. The guy that handed me the burger wasn't in the kitchen, he just put it in the bag. There are some other things that happened else where that would make sense of what i said.

[Sephania]

We need to be as wise as serpents but harmless as doves.

[BarbB]

I'm the only one who has said anything about that. I'll go back and edit it out, it's not necessary. It just added to my anger is all. That probably does it for me, i'm done with fast food beef. The guy that handed me the burger wasn't in the kitchen, he just put it in the bag. There are some other things that happened else where that would make sense of what i said.

I did too - I'm editing also! :sorry: :ashamed:

[BarbB]

We need to be as wise as serpents but harmless as doves.

LOL, I keep telling that to my mouth and my typing fingers, but the "old man" keeps trying!

[plum]

We need to be as wise as serpents but harmless as doves.
ever feel bad likening anything good to a serpent? hehe
it feels weird :D

[Homesick4Heaven]

I'm not sure what cake they were cutting, at ours the CC's come pre-sliced , hopefully the factory isn't making ham and cheese cakes! :eek: Now you got me a wondering, and this was the only place out we ever go.

Oh well, such is the world.
They come boxed and they cut and place them on waxed paper squares and place them on a plate to serve. :(

[Sephania]

ever feel bad likening anything good to a serpent? hehe
it feels weird :D

Hmm, no I didn't, just repeating Yeshua's words, ( Matthew 10:16) for we live out amoung the wolves, us sheep and must be careful to not turn like they. ;)

[visionary]

woah folks.... let's not resort to flaming people who can't defend themselves here. I hate the sin of homosexuality too, but really...
assuming people are homosexual or assuming what they like to read or why they hand you a burger... goodness, i'm getting diappointed! where is our witness?
Please keep it from getting into a gripe-fest :) I think PG's post was very uplifting and encouraging so I must thank him for giving us some perspective on how the challenge of eating according to Biblical standards and living that way is rewarding and yet so difficult..

remember, it's about our hearts. our love-motivation to obey. hehe obviously we're really passionate about this! :thumbsup:

never compromise the Truth, but the same goes for our witness to those who silently watch.Yes, there are millions who serve in ignorance, knowing not the Word of God.... even those who proclaim "knowing Lord Jesus"... and we do need to watch our own walk...

[Homesick4Heaven]

And some could read our words and weigh them as much as the Scriptures (to those new/weak in faith). Our written words are just as important to our witness as our walk and physical words are in the real world. TY for the reminder.

[Sephania]

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O L-RD , my strength and my redeemer.


Psalms 19:14

[Sephania]

Another reminder of the world we live in. Tonight ( after sundown of course) we went to the market to pick up a few things. As we went up the frozen food Isle, I looked into the case where the have ( distinctly marked ) Kosher frozen items. Nothing was on sale. I laughed because last time I was at this store it was right before Pasache and they had all these Kosher breaded things and Kosher soups with pasta and corn and beans, all on sale the week before Pasach. How Ironic I thought, Then my DH says to me, look what they put next to it.

This kosher section was on the end of the long frozen food isle and there was a little wall space before the doors to the freezer start and what do they have on this wall? Little bags of pepperoni, boxes of ready to eat non perishable (LOL) vacumn sealed bacon and on the bottom, a little shelf filled with canned hams.

Now if that wasn't purposly displayed there, I dont' know what!

Then of course in the clearly marked vegetarian section they had smack in the middle of the boca burgers and soy chicken bites, chicken breaded fillets, made with real chicken. :doh:OY!

[ContraMundum]

Dunno if this is "subtle" or what not, but some time ago I was in a grocery store and an older man was giving me my change back. He accidently shortchanged me a dollar and I pointed it out (not that I care about the dollar, but cashiers can get in trouble if their drawer is off). He laughed and said, "I wouldn't Jew you like that" and gave me my dollar.

I was flabbergasted and wasn't sure how to respond. Do I say, "Good sir, I AM a Jew?" lol... anyway, I just... blinked. Walked away. I was tempted to even report him to his manager, but I just let it go and left.

I always tell them I'm Jewish (if it isn't obvious) and let them do the blushing.

It's a good way to let people remember that they have a conscience..somewhere way, way back somewhere in the mind. :thumbsup:

[Kej]

I, too, cover my head now when I go out in public. On more than one occasion where I've had to sit and wait for something the conversation of the other people waiting has slowly but surely turned to Iraq/Muslims/Islam/terrorism after I enter the room. And I, too, wear a star of David pendant. Since I picked my daughter up from school a couple times, she's been approached with "Hey, I didn't know your mom was a Muslim" :doh: