Help Is Just a Phone Call Away

Living in the Bay Area can guarantee you one thing, diversity.  There are people from every race, creed, and culture living in the Bay.  OK, I am not positive that EVERY race is covered but you get the point.

My street is about as diverse as it gets.  Caucasians, Korean, Indian, Portuguese, Italians, British, Jewish and Chinese all living in the 20 houses on my street.  It makes for great conversation and many learning experiences for my child and I.  My 3 year old understands we take our shoes off at our Korean neighbors house.  I have explained to some extent, that our Indian neighbors put lights on there house in October because they celebrate Diwali.  The list goes on.

Having such diverse friends allows us to experience many cultural traditions.  It has opened my eyes to so many things that I didn't know about before!  It is pretty cool for this mid-western girl who grew up surrounded by only white people for miles and miles.  My friends from different cultures have helped me many times deal with things that I didn't understand.  Friday night I had the opportunity to learn more.

A girlfriend stopped by my house to drop something off.  We talked a little about what we were doing over the weekend and she told me she was going to a Bat Mitzvah.  I was intrigued because ever since I read Certain Girls I have wanted to attend an "over the top" bar mitzvah.  I actually became interested in attending one, in general, since I have never experienced one.

My girlfriend asked me what amount of money was appropriate to give for a gift.  I wasn't sure.  I suggested $50 since it isn't a close friends child.  Again, I wasn't sure.  My girlfriend left and I thought about it some more.  I know!  I would call my father.

My father converted to Judaism awhile back.  It is such a long story as to why that I am not going to get into it here, but I was sure he would know.  I picked up the phone and was quickly reminded that it was close to midnight on the East Coast.  I didn't think my dad would like that so I hung up.  Who could I ask????

After thinking for awhile, I knew that I did indeed have a Jewish friend that must know!  I called her up at 8:30 p.m. on Friday night.  This is not a friend that I would normally call up on a weekend night so I am sure she though it was weird.

"Hello?"

"Hi Jill, it's Lia.  I have a really weird question but I think you can help.  What is the appropriate amount of money to give someone for a Bat Mitzvah?"

"Hm, well hang on because I happen to be with a bunch of Jews that will know for sure."  She asked the people she was with and then it got good.

"Where is the party at?"

"Hm, I don't know.  I am actually not going it is for a friend."  I had no idea that would matter.

"Well, in New York it would probably be about $200.  Around here though it would probably be between $75-$125 depending on how close you were."

BINGO!  Look at that! All the help I needed, just a phone call away!  Don't ever tell me that living in a diverse area isn't a good thing.  I can give you a million reasons that isn't true starting with a simple phone call!

Originally posted at Silicon Valley Moms Blog.  Lia also blogs about her life with her 3 year old daughter and Husband at Freitas Family Follies.