Culture Smart Travel

Israel - Getting Acquainted With Its People

June 24th, 2006

Israeli culture is a mix of European and Middle Eastern customs, music and food.  In the past 20 years American influences have made significant inroads into the culture.  Although Israel started as a social experiment with collective farms, kibbutzes, and Zionist idealists, it has evolved with strong capitalist organizations and individualism motivated with materialism.

They welcome heated discussions on any subject.  In addition to Hebrew, many speak English and the language of the country they immigrated from.  Israel is predominantly an immigrant nation and retains many different cultural characteristics.

An Israeli is informed about the world and can speak politics to whomever will listen.  They welcome a heated discussion on any subject.  And depending on whom you are associating with, you could be among artists, musicians, scientists, or farmers.   They are represented with a higher percentage of engineers and musicians than most other countries.  When a subject is debated, the volume of conversation may get elevated, but you can walk away as friends without hard feelings.  Political correctness is not the norm.  And freedom of expression is not stifled.

One can start a conversation with a cab driver.  You will not be surprised if he has visited your home country.  Nearly 10% of the population travel abroad on vacation every year.  They will be curious to know more about you, your work, and sometimes even your income.

As more and more Israelis have traveled abroad, one can see how fast they have adapted to international behavioral norms.  Many Israelis have experienced harsh lives, and have a tendency to exhibit brashness, or to push their way into a line, but it is best to ignore it as there is much to appreciate about Israelis.  As Israel has developed and the people are more confident of defending themselves, this characteristic is moderating.   Sabra is the name given to native born Israelis.  Sabra is a cactus, which like the Israeli is prickly on the outside, but sweet on the inside.

Nearly all Israelis, both men and women, have served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and few subjects have affected more the psyche of a people engulfed by enemies on all fronts.  As a result, Israelis are by and large passionate about their defense forces.  Many career ex-military men are promoted to high positions in government and industry.  Many acquire special managerial and technical skills during their service tenure.

Israelis enjoy socializing.  Cafes take the place of bars in Israel, and many are open very late.  On Friday night, some even stay open all night.  Although Friday night to Saturday night is the Sabbath, most Jews in Israel (excepting Jerusalem) are secular and prefer to spend Fridays and Saturdays at the beach or hanging out with friends at cafes and other meeting places. 

They enjoy family and food and recreation, and welcome people into their homes.  If there is a wedding – nearly everyone they know, including close friends of their family members are invited.  Weddings are elaborate and often exceed the means of the respective families;  so monetary gifts from friends are used to pay for night long dancing and sumptuous feasting.  If you happen to be visiting a friend in Israel, and your friend is invited, then you would also be welcomed to the party.  It is customary for the guests to drop an envelope with money into a safe box before the reception line.

There is much more to Israelis than what people hear about them in the news.  Despite the constant threat of suicide bombings and other terrorist acts, Israelis continue to go about their lives, riding buses to and from school and work, shopping, eating out, and going to parties, etc.  The normal things that make up life.  They do not let terrorism affect their quality of life, and probably enjoy life even more due to the constant threat.

MH

 

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