Was chatting with S about Arabic Language and Islamic calligraphy. I wanted to know how to write Salaam - peace - in arabic. We were going through a book and I pointed out one part, and asked whether it was 'Asalaam AleiKem'. She jerked and commented wryly that I read good Arabic. I explained that I read Hebrew and some of the script letters are similar to Arabic.
She seemed very uncomfortable when I said that. But maybe it was my imagination... I can't tell whether my Jewishness makes her uncomfortable or whether I just expect it to.