Stereotypes and typical ratios
So, someone emailed me the following Gentile jokes (I'm Jewish--half my family is Catholic, however--my mother converted to Judaism):
A Gentile goes into a clothing store and says, "This is a very fine
>jacket. How much is it?"
>The salesman says, "It's $500."
>The Gentile says, "OK, I'll take it."
>
>*******************
>
>Two Gentiles meet on the street. The first one says, "You own your own
>business, don't you? How's it going?" The other Gentile says, "Just
>great! Thanks for asking!"
>
>********************
>Two Gentile mothers meet on the street and start talking about children.
>Gentile mother 1 (said with pride): "My son is a construction worker!"
>Gentile mother 2 (said with more pride): "My son is a truck driver!"
>
>*******************
>A man calls his mother and says, "Mother, I know you're expecting me for
>dinner this evening, but something important has come up and I can't make
>it." His mother says, "OK."
>
>****************************
>A Gentile couple goes to a nice restaurant.
>The man says: "I'll have the steak and a baked potato, and my wife will
>have the julienne salad with house dressing. We'll both have coffee."
>The waiter says, "How would you like your steak and salad prepared?" he
>man says,"I'd like the steak medium......the salad is fine as is." The
>waiter says, " Thank you."
>
>*************************************************************
>A Gentile man calls his elderly mother.
>He asks, " Mom, how are you feeling? Do you need anything?" She says,
>"I'm feeling fine, and I don't need anything. Thanks for calling
************************
Funny? Sure, for the most part. But what gives with all the sexist stereotypes? Loud obnoxious opinionated women--overbearing mothers full of guilt trips--boastful women. And, where are the corresponding stereotypes about Jewish men?
Sure--as a "race" we're all stereotyped as cheap money pinchers, but why is it that there's no negative Jewish husband/father stereotype that's oh-so-funny? Could it be--oh--I don't know--that Judaism's just as patriarchal as all the other major world religions, and thus the sexism filters right on down into the "humor"?
Can you tell that that's my take on it?
And, while we're discussing sexism--as if that's something new on this blog--let's move onto the local bar association's magazine that I just received.
First, in the "In the News" section, which is based on submissions from law firms regarding new hires, promotions, etc, there are 8 men mentioned and 3 women. That ratio sounds about right for our profession, dontcha think?
And, then there's the public service ad from a State bar organization encouraging lawyers to seek help for substance abuse. It states that 1 in 5 lawyers has a problem, and then, just in case we're too stoned to put 2 and 2 together, has 5 photographs. 3 men, 1 woman, and the "mystery druggie" whose face is blacked out, but is obviously a man. So, a 4:1 ratio. Again, sounds just about f*cking right.
Stupid profession.
posted by Admin @ 8:09 AM
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