Setting Me Up, Setting You Up

What is it with Jewish people and setting each other up?

One of my non-Jewish colleagues said to me once, "It's nice that you do that for each other. When I was single, it was like I was on my own; but my Chinese and Jewish friends always had family and friends setting them up. I wish I had that."

I can't speak for Chinese, but in my experience this is how it rolls in my crew: "Oh you're Jewish? He's Jewish too! Let's set you two up!"

It doesn't matter that he has the personality of a bread crumb. It doesn't matter that he may feel like sewing his wild oats until he reaches 40 or 50. What matters is, you both have the same cultural background, therefore there's a one in 10 million chances the set-up will be a success.

This has been my experience over the last several years. And on the heels of Rosh Hashana, the issue is arising again. Bubbies get together at a table and reveal their single cards. She'd be a good match for him, he's too old for her, he's too young for her, these two are the same age but he has no career. It's like sorting laundry - whites, lights, and darks.

We'll see what this new set-up brings.
"He comes from a wealthy family you know."

Yes that's the winning ticket isn't it.

It hasn't been so for me yet. We'll see this time.