I must ask - Movies and Chinese food

[Anonymous]

I was just reading the thread on resenting other faiths' holidays and multiple Jewish posters mentioned the whole Chinese food and movie thing.

Where on earth did this tradition come from? It cracks me up, since almost every Jew I know has at some point mentioned this but no one seems sure why it became the thing to do.

It's almost trite to hear it (in a good way)!

[Anonymous]

Is it because it used to be that those were two of the few places open on Christmas? Because immigrants usually did not celebrate American holidays so they were open for business for their fellow immigrants and others who were looking for somewhere to eat when most places were closed. And movie theaters are open at off times to cater to different crowds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was just reading the thread on resenting other faiths' holidays and multiple Jewish posters mentioned the whole Chinese food and movie thing.

Where on earth did this tradition come from? It cracks me up, since almost every Jew I know has at some point mentioned this but no one seems sure why it became the thing to do.

It's almost trite to hear it (in a good way)!

I think it's because Chinese restaurants are traditionally open on major Christian/American holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas) when others are closed. I know this from being in a new city and having nowhere to go for Thanksgiving. All I could find that was open was Chinese restuarants. Had takeout and it was pretty nice to have something different.

[takoma]

I think it was the combination of the fact that the Chinese places were open, that there were a lot of them (at least in NY where I grew up), that they were inexpensive, and most of all, they were the only place God allowed you to have shrimp!

The movies, unlike TV, did not fill everything with Xmas.

[Anonymous]

Now more places are open but we always went as they were the only things open on Christmas Day.

[Anonymous]

takoma wrote:I think it was the combination of the fact that the Chinese places were open, that there were a lot of them (at least in NY where I grew up), that they were inexpensive, and most of all, they were the only place God allowed you to have shrimp!

The movies, unlike TV, did not fill everything with Xmas.

Pardon? I'm from the south and shrimp is often served as a choice along with fish for the Lenten Fish Frys. Don't know where you got that information...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

takoma wrote:I think it was the combination of the fact that the Chinese places were open, that there were a lot of them (at least in NY where I grew up), that they were inexpensive, and most of all, they were the only place God allowed you to have shrimp!

The movies, unlike TV, did not fill everything with Xmas.

Pardon? I'm from the south and shrimp is often served as a choice along with fish for the Lenten Fish Frys. Don't know where you got that information...

It's a Jewish joke.

[Anonymous]

Only thing that was open...We always did a double feature and had Chinese food. I remember it was a treat that we got to order the "Pu Pu Platter." Eek, bad Chinese food.

Southern poster, that was a joke that 14:26 made. If it was Pork Lo Mein or Shrimp, it was "Kosher."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only thing that was open...We always did a double feature and had Chinese food. I remember it was a treat that we got to order the "Pu Pu Platter." Eek, bad Chinese food.

Southern poster, that was a joke that 14:26 made. If it was Pork Lo Mein or Shrimp, it was "Kosher."

.... because (in case PP doesn't know) pork and shellfish are not kosher. However, even my kosher-keeping grandmother will eat them in Chinese food ... so long as either it's not in her house, or is served on a paper plate.

At the risk of outing myself, we are Jewish but have a common non-Jewish name (think Smith). One time we went to the Chinese place to do the traditional Christmas pick-up. The place was packed and they were calling out the names of the pick-up orders: "Goldberg, Silver, Kaufman, Goldstein," etc. Then they call "Smith" -- and I kid you not, the entire place went silent and everyone turned to stare at us. It was hilarious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only thing that was open...We always did a double feature and had Chinese food. I remember it was a treat that we got to order the "Pu Pu Platter." Eek, bad Chinese food.

Southern poster, that was a joke that 14:26 made. If it was Pork Lo Mein or Shrimp, it was "Kosher."

.... because (in case PP doesn't know) pork and shellfish are not kosher. However, even my kosher-keeping grandmother will eat them in Chinese food ... so long as either it's not in her house, or is served on a paper plate.

At the risk of outing myself, we are Jewish but have a common non-Jewish name (think Smith). One time we went to the Chinese place to do the traditional Christmas pick-up. The place was packed and they were calling out the names of the pick-up orders: "Goldberg, Silver, Kaufman, Goldstein," etc. Then they call "Smith" -- and I kid you not, the entire place went silent and everyone turned to stare at us. It was hilarious.

At the risk of showing my own density, how do you out yourself when posting anonymously? I know a couple like you, but even if I were able to deduce that you are N (or S), how would I recognize you next time you post?

If I out myself as the poster called Takoma (having forgotten that I did not sign myself on), am I likely to know you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only thing that was open...We always did a double feature and had Chinese food. I remember it was a treat that we got to order the "Pu Pu Platter." Eek, bad Chinese food.

Southern poster, that was a joke that 14:26 made. If it was Pork Lo Mein or Shrimp, it was "Kosher."

.... because (in case PP doesn't know) pork and shellfish are not kosher. However, even my kosher-keeping grandmother will eat them in Chinese food ... so long as either it's not in her house, or is served on a paper plate.

At the risk of outing myself, we are Jewish but have a common non-Jewish name (think Smith). One time we went to the Chinese place to do the traditional Christmas pick-up. The place was packed and they were calling out the names of the pick-up orders: "Goldberg, Silver, Kaufman, Goldstein," etc. Then they call "Smith" -- and I kid you not, the entire place went silent and everyone turned to stare at us. It was hilarious.

At the risk of showing my own density, how do you out yourself when posting anonymously? I know a couple like you, but even if I were able to deduce that you are N (or S), how would I recognize you next time you post?

If I out myself as the poster called Takoma (having forgotten that I did not sign myself on), am I likely to know you?

I think the thinking here is -- Poster X says she has a common non-Jewish last name; her friends will recognize her because of that and know that "Mary Jones" posted on DCUM last night and then email her and say "I saw your post on DCUM!"

[takoma]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At the risk of outing myself, we are Jewish but have a common non-Jewish name (think Smith). One time we went to the Chinese place to do the traditional Christmas pick-up. The place was packed and they were calling out the names of the pick-up orders: "Goldberg, Silver, Kaufman, Goldstein," etc. Then they call "Smith" -- and I kid you not, the entire place went silent and everyone turned to stare at us. It was hilarious.

At the risk of showing my own density, how do you out yourself when posting anonymously? I know a couple like you, but even if I were able to deduce that you are N (or S), how would I recognize you next time you post?

If I out myself as the poster called Takoma (having forgotten that I did not sign myself on), am I likely to know you?

I think the thinking here is -- Poster X says she has a common non-Jewish last name; her friends will recognize her because of that and know that "Mary Jones" posted on DCUM last night and then email her and say "I saw your post on DCUM!"

True, so your friends know you post on DCUM, but if you post anonymously, aren't they still unaware of what you said? I suppose that since I figure my friends, if any are on DCUM (other than the bossman), probably have figured out who Takoma is, I don't see the problem. I guess it will hit me when one of the tells me what an ass I am for something I post.

If you know me, email and tell me I'm out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
At the risk of outing myself, we are Jewish but have a common non-Jewish name (think Smith). One time we went to the Chinese place to do the traditional Christmas pick-up. The place was packed and they were calling out the names of the pick-up orders: "Goldberg, Silver, Kaufman, Goldstein," etc. Then they call "Smith" -- and I kid you not, the entire place went silent and everyone turned to stare at us. It was hilarious.

At the risk of showing my own density, how do you out yourself when posting anonymously? I know a couple like you, but even if I were able to deduce that you are N (or S), how would I recognize you next time you post?

If I out myself as the poster called Takoma (having forgotten that I did not sign myself on), am I likely to know you?

I think the Smith poster means that she has told that story to a lot of people in real life, so if one of those people reads this on DCUM she will know that Ms. Smith posts here. I've had that same thought before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
At the risk of outing myself, we are Jewish but have a common non-Jewish name (think Smith). One time we went to the Chinese place to do the traditional Christmas pick-up. The place was packed and they were calling out the names of the pick-up orders: "Goldberg, Silver, Kaufman, Goldstein," etc. Then they call "Smith" -- and I kid you not, the entire place went silent and everyone turned to stare at us. It was hilarious.

At the risk of showing my own density, how do you out yourself when posting anonymously? I know a couple like you, but even if I were able to deduce that you are N (or S), how would I recognize you next time you post?

If I out myself as the poster called Takoma (having forgotten that I did not sign myself on), am I likely to know you?

I think the Smith poster means that she has told that story to a lot of people in real life, so if one of those people reads this on DCUM she will know that Ms. Smith posts here. I've had that same thought before.

Exactly. Says Ms. Smith.

[Anonymous]

See, I grew up in the Midwest, and it was Chinese food and bowling. Lol.