For Openers...
A Cliche A Day
Keeps Everybody Away
t's unfortu-
nate that in
dealing
with peo-
ple, many take
pet phrases to use
as responses and
really ignore
meaningful con-
SY MANELLO tact.
Editorial Assistan It's been several
years since "Have
a nice day" was finally put to rest. Oh,
yes, it's heard now and then and, as a
result, carries a bit more meaning than
when everyone used it as often as we
saw the little yellow smiley faces —
ugh!! It got to the point where I want-
ed to say to my good-day wishers, "If
it isn't, can I bring it back?"
The other evening, while dining
out, I encountered yet another little
language annoyance: "No problem."
My wife requested that her salad
dressing come on the side. "No prob-
lem," said our smiling waitperson. "I
would also like some mustard brought
to the table," my wife said. "No prob-
lem," said Smiles-Is-My Middle
Name.
"I'd like some lemon for my water
and could you omit the cheese from
my salad?" I inquired. "No problem,"
said Ms. Your Wish Is My Command.
Well, you have probably guessed
that my wife's salad came already
dressed and had to be sent back. I
never got the lemon for my water and
the salad I got had cheese. When the
main dish came, we had to ask anoth-
er server for mustard.
Of course, none of our requests was
a "problem;" she just gave us her stock
answer and then did whatever
occurred to her (which obviously was-
llowz By You
n't much or very often). To make mat-
ters worse, she remained so unaware
of having to go back and re-do and
have others fill in that she was able to
come by with the most dreaded of
meaningless questions, "Is everything
okay?"
Once when I was asked this, I told
the staff person of a matter that need-
ed correcting; my response was deliv-
ered to the person's back since the
question was asked as he whisked by
the table, dropping these crumbs of
waiter-speak.
Well, it could have been really bad.
We could have been addressed as "you
guys." But that's a complaint for
another column.
I am reminded of the saying that
the reason so many people get lost in
thought is that they are in such unfa-
miliar territory.
❑
To the thousands of
Phrase*
donors to JARC's
(A taste of Yiddish)
Evita fundraiser.
Geborgter saichel toig nit.
Borrowed brains have no value.
Your caring and
By the way, where exactly can
you borrow brains?
generosity
demonstrate your belief
that every member of
Quotables
our community
deserves to live with
"When I was asked, 'What qualifications do you have as a Jewish person to
be Secretary of Agriculture?: I would always tell them that as I was growing up,
my mother would always say: 'eat, eat, eat!'"
—Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, son-in-law of Diane and
Emery Klein of West Bloomfield, in jest as guest speaker at the eighth annual
Yad Ezra dinner at Adat Shalom Synagogue.
"To claim the Chasidim are not Orthodox when we are known throughout
the world as ultra-Orthodox is absurd."
— Rabbi Sholom Ber Krinsky, a Lubavitch emissary working in Vilnius,
on the Lithuanian government's refusal to grant "traditional religion"
status to the Brooklyn, NY-based religious organization.
The designation would give the Chabad movement eligibility for property that
belonged to Lubavitch Jews prior to World War II.
"We Israelis like to work hard, and New Yorkers love coffee."
— Bari Omani, owner of Soho's Cafe Bari, on the proliferation of Israeli-owned
coffee shops and bars in Manhattan.
"That a Jew was nominated by a major political parry to run for the highest
political office in the state marked the point in time in which we Jews became
fully integrated into the political life of our community."
—U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn, speaking about Sander Levin's 1970
run for governor as a Democrat in his speech, "Jews in Politics,"
at a Federation Forum in Birmingham.
dignity and respect.
You have made a real
difference in the lives of
men, women and
children with disabilities.
•
Working together we will
continue to meet new
challenges — for everyday
a baby is born who will
someday need JARC.
4.-
JARC is blessed with a
unique partnership with a
loving community and for
BY Mendel
Nog! GREAT -10 5E6 ,YOU!
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LLOY D P. BRATELWURTZ
PLEASED TO MEET .YOU GREAT
TIE, Wye THE SHOES- WELL,
GOTTA KEEP MOVING HERE'S
My CARD
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51-IMODZMEISTER ?"
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DARLING! HOW
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//
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THANK YOU.
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that we are grateful.
0
Jewish Association for Residential Care
for persons with developmental disabilities
28366 Franklin Road
Southfield, MI 48034
248-352-5272/fax 248-352-5279
www.jarc.org
Detroit Jewish News
11/13
1998
5