Should I report this racist joke?

yarpeng · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 1

Hi

I work as a reader for sick and elderly patients. My job basically consists of reading short stories, jokes poems to the patients. It is for a charity but is paid work.

Recently I was given an updated book of all the latest stories, jokes and poems that we could use to read to the patients.

I came across the following joke:

"A Jewish man went out to eat at a Chinese restaurant and while waiting to order his meal, he wondered idly if there were any Chinese Jews. So when the waiter came to take his order he asked, 'Pardon me, but I'd like to know if there are any Chinese Jews?' The waiter replied, 'I don't know. I will go to the kitchen and ask the manager.' The waiter returns a few minutes later, and told the man, 'No Chinese Jews. We have Orange jews, Tomato Jews, Grape Jews and Pineapple Jews but no Chinese Jews.'

My first reaction was disgust but I don't know whether I am being too sensitive and I would like to know whether other people think:

1) That this joke is racist - if so specifically why?

2) Should I report this joke to my manager (however, seeing the Charity spent a lot of money producing this new book a number of people must have gone through the material before publication). I am the only Chinese in the whole Charity.

I really really appreciate people's responses.

Thank you so much!

kang dàyé · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject:

dont really know te answer to this one, as a racist joke it's a complete non starter, he could have gone to any old restaurant any where in the world and asked do you have any Russian Jews, Italin Jews, Japanese Jews, maybe the waiter thought he was asking about juice??? It's not a very funny joke, maybe the waiter was taking the juice out of the customer? my head hurts trying to see the funny in this joke. if the rest of the joke book is like this please don't read it to me if i end up waiting to be euthanised in some nhs hospital..

nice job you have incidently, i think you should read incredibly long stories to your patients, but on a serial basis so that their curiousity keeps them alive for your next visit.

quietman · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 72 Location: Liverpool

I found it quite amusing. Maybe it's just me. I don't find it offensive even though I'm Chinese. To me, it's just a cultural misunderstanding(play on words); a joke that might have been in the 70's sitcom 'Mind Your Language'. I think we need to laugh at ourselves sometimes and not take ourselves too seriously.

If you don't find it funny and feel uncomfortable about telling the joke, that's ok - we all have a different sense of humour. Just tell your manager how you feel about it.

I'm a bit surprised the joke was included in today's political correct society.

almostwitty · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location: London

It's not a racist joke.

It's just one person mis-hearing Jews for juice.

and I'm fairly sure there are Chinese Jews out there somewhere...

Paul Courtenay Hyu · Joined: 27 Feb 2003 Posts: 17

I think as a rule; if the victim of the joke is the victim because of his being Chinese (or whatever race) then it could be classed as racist. But I am not sure if this is 100% accurate and you have to draw your own line. I am happy to put my reputation on the line and state categorically that the above joke IS NOT RACIST. Incidentally, I have been to a Jewish Chinese restaurant in Golders Green. Very tasty - but no pork dishes, which takes some getting used to...

This, however, is a more interesting case:

A Chinese man goes to the doctor complaining about headaches, back aches, tinitus and all manner of stress-related symptoms - and the doctor says to him, "Listen, you are just really stressed out. When I feel like that it really helps when I go home and make vigorous love to my wife". The Chinese man thanks the doctor for his sympathy and leaves. The next day, the doctor is at his office when he gets a text from the Chinese man. It reads: "Thank you for your advice. I feel better now. ps. You have a nice garden".

If this offends you as a Chinese person, please explain why. I am stumped, I will confess...!

ex-VAG · Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 445

And old and tired joke, even Michael MacIntyre did a routine based on jews juice in his routine, it was funny then though.

Edwina Lee · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:01 am Post subject:

This joke is not ridiculing Jews. It is merely a pun between Jews and juice. (a play on words).
Therefore, it isn't racist.

Edwina Lee · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:03 am Post subject:

Sometimes, whether something is funny or not depends on how it is told. That's the skill of the best comedians.

ex-VAG · Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 445

Edwina Lee · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 1:21 pm Post subject:

twins_4_life · Joined: 09 Oct 2009 Posts: 2 Location: East London

Some people may find it offensive..

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