Mama’s Always On The Lookout

I work in a call center taking mostly political surveys over the phone. I can end up calling any state depending on what the survey’s about. Today, I’m calling New York. I have a Scandinavian first name and Semitic last name — let’s say it’s Anna Ruben for this story.

Me: “Hello, may I please speak with [Respondent]?”

The person on the other end of the line is an older woman with a New York Yiddish accent.

Woman: “Who is this?”

Me: “My name is Anna Ruben, and I’m from [Business]. May I speak with [Respondent], please?”

Woman: *Sounding very pleased* “Of course!” *Calling out* “[Respondent]! There’s a good Jewish girl on the phone for you!”