pick it up,
and all the day
you'll have good luck!
I've always considered pennies on the ground to be lucky. Whenever I find anything on the ground that isn't poop, mashed-up gum, fallen ice-cream or any such unidentified sticky object, I consider it lucky. Exhibit A: When my younger son was begging us for a pink ukulele and we told him "no," he found a $20 bill on the ground 30 seconds later that he used to purchase his obsession.
School children have their superstitions about the coins being heads-up or tails-up, along with all those crack-jumping antics to avoid putting their dear mama in the hospital with a herniated disc.
But I've always considered a penny on the ground to be lucky, whether or not heads-up.
Until...
(cue wavy flash-back vision)
Nearly 20 years ago I presented my very first scientific paper at a medical conference. It was magical because it was only my second time in New York City and it felt great to be amongst high-caliber researchers. While there, my co-presenters and I visited the Columbia Chapter of our co-ed fraternity. To make a long story, short, I met a handsome man (my husband will be relieved to know that this old flame is physically similar to him) and ended up talking the night away.
In the weeks that passed, I visited NYC as often as I could. I was so smitten with this man that I could barely think straight. My words got jumbled and I feared I seemed unintelligent.
One afternoon as we crossed the Columbia campus, a penny fell from the sky.
How Lucky!
I giggled and picked it up, ready to sing the little jingle like the love-struck young girl that I was, but my companion's face went tense.
"Huh, that's funny!" I remarked, confused at my date's apparent anger.
"That's not funny," he responded.
I honestly don't remember what happened next, but I later learned that apparently throwing pennies at Jews is a racist gesture motivated by their stereotypical spend-thriftiness.
Even typing that now makes my heart beat faster with embarrassment, as I had only known pennies to be lucky. I didn't realize that anyone was trying to insult the amazing man standing next to me, and I burn with shame as I consider that I actually picked up the darn thing, "proving" that we couldn't walk past free money, even if only a cent.
A couple years later as I happened to be with another Jewish man, I noticed as a shopkeeper gave us our change - and then shoved forward an extra penny with a glare. But that is the only other time I've seen a penny used as an ethnic insult.
Yes, it has been nearly two decades since the penny incident, but I wish I could apologize to him for my ignorance, so I'm doing it now publicly. I felt helpless, since as a blonde shikseh I couldn't understand. When we saw Schindler's List together, I watched as he rocked back and forth in his cinema seat. I wanted to put my hand on his thigh or shoulder to comfort him, but feared a physical gesture would be seen as a ploy for romantic action. So instead, I appeared detached. I made a lot of mistakes during that relationship, and fumbled as I tried to maintain our friendship (I ended up looking like a psycho stalker as I tried to explain away my goofiness.)
I guess we all have our regrets, and that afternoon was one of them. And so, even when my kids smile when they find a "lucky penny," I can't help but remember another meaning.
Comments (3)
I, too, pick up any kind of coin I come across and I'd never heard that before! Shame on them.
Posted by Bill | December 16, 2011 12:38 PM
Posted on December 16, 2011 12:38
As a half-Jew (and generally as someone who considers themselves aware of these things), I have never experienced or heard of this. I (obviously) know the stereotype of Jews being thrifty or cheap, but at least among my friends, we embraced this and parodied it. Maybe these actions reduced the hurt of the stereotype for us enough that it no longer registers.
All the same, don't feel bad about your actions. This might be the Jewiest thing I'll ever say: money is money and lucky pennies can still be lucky if hurled as an insult. People who throw money at Jews are literally paying them to not care about the insults. I know plenty of people will disagree with me (my dad would glare and lecture about the suffering and bullying he went through as a Jewish youth), but who cares what racists think? They don't matter AND they give you money? Sweet!
Posted by Lauren | December 16, 2011 1:19 PM
Posted on December 16, 2011 13:19
I have heard the stereotype about Jewish people "pinching pennies" but never seen people throw pennies or do anything else like that. Thats so rude!
Posted by Angel Read | December 22, 2011 7:14 PM
Posted on December 22, 2011 19:14