Post: #1

So I'm an American Jew. Not religious, not the kinda person who seeks out Jewish friends/girls just to be with my own "kind".

Thinking of going to Tel Aviv in the summer though, and I wonder how other American Jews who have been there found society at large. Because when I read about it, you always hear "Israelis are direct, straightforward, don't use the pleasantries Americans are used to. They can seem rude if you don't get their culture, but they believe the pleasantries of American society are superficial and false, so they avoid them."

I feel like to a degree that describes me. People here always tell me I need to be less direct, that I'm too honest, that I need to hold back and be more polite and bite my tongue.

In America, it often just-so-happens that many of my friends end up being Jewish. Not that I seek them out, but that the people I get along with best, who "get" me the best, are also Jews. Not religious ones either, not ones who care so much about being Jewish, but just the way they are and the way I am, we mesh better a lot of times. People get my jokes and brand of humor and don't think it's too over the top, for instance.

So I wonder if I will go to Israel and interact with people and feel like "ahh, finally, I can be as straightforward as I've always wanted. My jokes won't be taken as offensive. My conversation won't have to be filled with mindless feel-good fluff."

Any American Jews with experience there ever felt this way?

(P.S. not trying to start a race/religion war here...)

Post: #2

Spent a little bit of time in Israel, on the Birthright trip if you're familiar with. Only 10 days, but nonetheless a good look. Tel Aviv is awesome! Great weather, nightlife, and women. You'll love it.

As for your situation, I think you're over analyzing this too much. Regarding your question in bold, I mean yea to an extent. Their not aliens, I mean people are people wherever you go. Obviously cultures can vary greatly, but don't expect to be a blunt asshole and expect everything to fine and dandy. What exactly are you trying to find out? Will you fit in in Israel? Are you moving there regardless and just want a heads up? I'm a bit confused... Lay some more info out and I'll try and help as best I can.

Post: #3

Im not moving there or anything, just idle curiosity really. Its not that I want to be an asshole, but I feel that people in America are fake and expect you to lie about nicieties all the time, which doesn't sit well with me. Just trying to see if other people have felt more at ease there, or if the culture is not really ome that American Jews feel like they can just slide into

Im sure either way I will enjoy it, the beach, the food, all looks great

Post: #4

(01-14-2014 01:17 PM)Sonsowey Wrote:  Im not moving there or anything, just idle curiosity really. Its not that I want to be an asshole, but I feel that people in America are fake and expect you to lie about nicieties all the time, which doesn't sit well with me. Just trying to see if other people have felt more at ease there, or if the culture is not really ome that American Jews feel like they can just slide into

Im sure either way I will enjoy it, the beach, the food, all looks great

I'm not Jewish, but from experience visiting my kin in Europe, you will just find out just how American you are. If you don't feel it, they will remind you.

From what I hear from friends who have worked in Israel for the USG, the mass immigration of Russians (some not really Jewish) has led to Soviet-style mores and manners in Israel. The rudeness is the same thing you see from Russians in Thailand.

Post: #5

I only ever meet Israelis in Thailand but I can say the Thais hate them. Sometimes you will see 'no Israelis' at certain hostels down in the south .

Post: #6

I've been to Israel. Just keep an open mind and know that Israelis have a tough situation being in a military state (it's not America or Europe), though you'd hardly notice while in Tel Aviv. Israelis are definitely Middle Eastern people in almost every way and very red pill about the realities of life. Just relax and get to know people. Don't bring up politics. No one cares about your opinion.

Whatever you do, definitely don't be like this dumbass.

Post: #7

(01-15-2014 07:57 AM)Que enspastic Wrote:  I only ever meet Israelis in Thailand but I can say the Thais hate them. Sometimes you will see 'no Israelis' at certain hostels down in the south .

It's because a lot of them are rude and classless. I've met some very nice and cool Israelis, but they are definitely louder and more abrasive than your average westerner. People who say Americans are loud obviously never spent much time around Israelis. I agree with HC that they are definitely Middle Eastern people.

Post: #8

(01-15-2014 11:46 PM)RioNomad Wrote:  

(01-15-2014 07:57 AM)Que enspastic Wrote:  I only ever meet Israelis in Thailand but I can say the Thais hate them. Sometimes you will see 'no Israelis' at certain hostels down in the south .

It's because a lot of them are rude and classless. I've met some very nice and cool Israelis, but they are definitely louder and more abrasive than your average westerner.

They don't translate well as travelers. The thing is most of them are broke. They don't have money like western travelers. They get very little from military service and the first thing most of them want to do is get out of Israel once they've met their obligation. They tend to go to India (a favorite because it's so cheap), SEA, or Latin America (the ones who are better off go here).

Also, being Middle Eastern, they come from a culture of haggling, which is not something tourist businesses are accustomed to from western travelers. Couple that with being relatively broke, it can make for an unpleasant time. That's also a reason they tend to hang out together. It's easier to hang out with people who get you and are in the same boat. It's not fun hanging out with new people when you don't have much money.

They also have to observe Shabbat on Saturdays, as is done in Israel, where they can't use electricity. Many businesses, especially hostels, have a hard time accommodating this request. That's why many of these businesses simply refuse Israelis. It's bad for business.

But many Israelis stay at Israeli-run or Israeli-friendly hostels when they travel abroad. They have their own websites for booking accommodations and everything.

Post: #9

Almost no one really observes the shabbath and yes haggling is the king

Post: #10

I have Jewish relatives who moved to Israel from Europe. They sold their house, car, furniture etc. to begin a new life in the Holy Land only to realize after 6 months that they couldn't fit in in Israeli society, it was a huge culture shock for them and they had to move back.

Interestingly, during my visits to the country I noticed that the Jews from the US, Europe and other parts of the world living in Israel seemed to have little contact with the Israeli society in their private lives and preferred to be among their own kind.

As for the Russians, they are really doing their own thing in Israel, a lot of them don't seem to give a rat's ass about religion, Jewish culture and traditions, lol.

Post: #11

Israeli travelers in Thailand have a rep, right or wrong, for not paying their bill and stealing stuff. That is why the backpacker hotels in Bangkok for instance are so strict about paying up front and taking a security deposit and why some places have a no Israeli policy.

Honestly, I haven't found Israeli backpackers to be any more arrogant or loud than others, especially Americans. And they generally seems to have more knowledge of the world than a lot of travelers you meet.

And Israeli chicks are god damn hot so who cares how they all act.