Jewish guy: I have to study a lot today.
Spanish guy: Dude, you had the whole weekend to study!
Jewish guy: I had the funeral, and I got food poisoning!
Spanish guy: I can understand the funeral, because, well… But the food poisoning is all your fault — you ate pork and you’re Jewish!
–Starbucks
Overheard by: liz
Goy #1 examining a mezuzah: What are these things?
Goy #2: I think it’s a Jewish decoration.
Goy #1: Oh, yeah. I’ve seen them in Jewish people’s houses.
Goy #2: Yeah, I think it’s called a dreidel.
–Abigael’s on Broadway, 39th & Broadway
Overheard by: BobsBigBoys
Blonde: Can you say ‘Happy Passover’ to someone?
Brunette: Passover is a happy holiday, I think. ‘Cause it’s about food and stuff.
Blonde: Okay. I wasn’t sure. ‘Cause, you know, Jesus died, so I dunno how that works. That’s not too happy…
–Olympic Diner, 8th Ave
Chick, about a shiksa: … So she asked me what Passover was, and I told her. She thought it was weird and was like, ‘I don’t celebrate killing people!’
Jewish girl: I don’t remember killing anyone.
Catholic girl: Um, Jesus?
–Barnard dorm
Overheard by: Isn’t it nice we can discuss this candidly?
Ignorant mom: Why do you have all that hair on your head? Are you a Jew?
Poor kid: Yes!
Ignorant mom: You’re not a Jew! You do not practice Jew-ism.
–A train
Overheard by: A Devout Jesus-ist
Tourist #1: Oooh, what’s that?
Tourists #1 and #2 simultaneously: A synagogue!
–St. Bart’s, 50th & Park
Overheard by: former Episcopalian
Crazy-haired woman: There’s lots of elderly people around here.
Lady: Well, it’s life.
Crazy-haired woman: Yes, but specifically in the San Fernando Valley.
Lady: Mmm-hmmm.
Crazy-haired woman: Where are you from?
Lady: New York.
Crazy-haired woman: You must be Jewish or Italian — which?
Lady: I’m Jewish.
Crazy-haired woman: Oh, the best people and the best meat.
Lady: Excuse me?
Crazy-haired woman: The Jews — they’re the best people and the best meat.
–Pharmacy
Student: You’re Jewish?
Professor: Yes.
Student: Where’s your hat?
Professor: What?
Student: Why do you guys all wear glasses?
–FIT
Georgian tourist looking out window at Hasidic Jew: Oh, look at that man in the Abraham Lincoln costume!
–M1bus near Wall St
Overheard by: Nolan & Brandon
Mother to son: Basically, the Unitarians are the most Jewish of all the…
–91st & Broadway
Overheard by: Carol Elk
Potential student: What’s a Jesuit? A Jewish person?
–Fordham University, Rose Hill
Overheard by: Rachel Hoban
Guy on cell: He doesn’t even drink! He’s Jewish. Apparently Jews don’t drink.
–47th & 9th
Yenta on cell: Can you believe it? She’s planning to have quesadillas as her Passover meal!
–8th St & Hudson
Overheard by: Laughing Goy
Suit to another: Come on — I mean, we’re Jews. We can walk on water!
–20th & Park
Little boy to nanny: I should be a doctor when I grow up, because I’m Jewish. Or an acrobat…
–F train
Overheard by: LaLa
Hasidic man offering out a lulav: Are you a Jew? Are you a Jew?
Girl, running away: Yes, but I don’t want to!
–W 4th & Broadway
