[A.J.B.]

I know this question might sound offensive, but I live in an area of Melbourne, Australia, with a fairly large Orthodox Jewish population, and I notice that a fair few of their cars have the word ‘Courier’ written on the side. They’re just regular cars and passenger vans, and they don’t look like couriers in any way. I was wondering, are they actually couriers for the community, or do they just put that word on the side of the car for tax purposes, i.e. to claim the running of a commercial vehicle? I’ve always wanted to ask this question in a friendly, curious way, but I just know I’d seem weird or racist or stupid, or a combination of all three.

User Detail :  

Name : A.J.B., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 37, City : Melbourne, State : NA, Country : Australia, Occupation : Tech Support, Social class : Middle class, 

[Matt21830]

I think you have to ask yourself some questions. If it was a Christian community, would you question their motives for the courier sign? Or even notice what you percieve to be an abundancy of the sign? Would you intially assume that the Christian community was using the signs to avoid taxes and not because they really were couriers? Would you assume that all the drivers of these cars were Christians and not people of a different religion who live in the community as well? Maybe so, maybe not. But whenever I hear someone attributing behavior in a way that reflects old religious stereotypes (i.e. that Jews are cheap), I have to wonder.

Religion has nothing to do with it. There are some generous Jews, some cheap ones, and some in between. Just like there are some generous Christians, some cheap ones and some in between. There is nothing in Jewish doctrine that promotes thrift, though there is much that praises generosity. Same goes with Christianity. My guess is that they are using the signs because they really are couriers. Until you have any proof to the contrary (other than the stereotypes), I can’t see how you can conclude differently.

Most of all, I encourage you to ask them. Word the question so it doesn’t sound accusatory. Ask why there are so many cars with courier signs in ‘OUR’ (including yourself as part) community and not ‘YOUR’ community (separating yourself from them). I hope this helps. You seem truly interested in understanding between religions. My hat goes off to you.

User Detail :  

Name : Matt21830, Gender : M, Religion : Jewish, Age : 21, City : Boston, State : MA, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, 

[T27530]

If what you’re seeing isn’t just coincidence (i.e. there’s a lot of courier cars, and a lot of Jews, and it just so happens that some of them are together) then it is something to do with only that particular community in Melbourne.

User Detail :  

Name : T27530, Religion : Jewish, Age : 37, City : L.os Angeles, State : CA, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

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