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Tel Aviv Sunset
I had to agree wholeheartedly with my cousin Arik, who told me during our travels together that he wished he'd had the foresight to buy stock in Crocs years ago. For those of you who haven't been introduced to the astonishing array of colorfully ugly shoes these guys manufacture, they look like this
and are supposedly more comfortable than strapping goose-down pillows to the soles of your feet and walking across clouds to your destination.
And they are everywhere in Israel. Kids wear 'em. Adults wear 'em. Grannies wear 'em. Bus drivers, restaurant servers, dog walkers, nurses, even orthodox Jews in black wool coats and hats--they all sport the ubiquitous Croc as though their government offers tax breaks to the family with the most pairs. It's an epidemic. In fact, I felt a bit left out, being the only soul on Israeli soil without a pair of Crocs.
Jerusalem
Next, Israelis may be world leaders in technology, science, military might and creamy, delicious hummus, but no one has ever taught them how to line up. No matter where I went, if a line required forming, Israelis failed the test. People just sort of gather around and it's anyone's guess as to whose turn it is next. This was especially obvious on buses and trains--in Israel, exiting row by row is a concept so advanced it has yet to be implemented. You just shove your way into the line of people in the aisle whenever you see the tiniest gap open up. Otherwise, you're last off the train, even if you were seated in the first row.
Sea of Galilee
Before anyone goes charging me with being an anti-Semite, I'm not limiting my observations solely to Israelis, since I am sure I was in the company of many other nationalities and ethnic groups throughout my journey. But let me just say that, despite whatever negative characteristics Americans may carry around their necks (in my own mind and around the world), we are actually, on the whole, a pretty polite bunch. On the contrary, Israelis rarely say "Excuse me," "Pardon me" or "I'm sorry" when engaging in such activities as accidentally bumping into people on a sidewalk, stepping on people's toes, elbowing people in the ribs or other endeavors requiring one to share space with strangers in a civilized fashion.
More to come...
Posted by ayelet at August 16, 2007 04:32 PMDude, my friend Rosie has a pair of Crocs-- she swears by their comfort!
Posted by: James at August 22, 2007 01:18 AMHA! Well guess what - the Okinawans love their Crocs too - every kid has them b/c it's summer and they swim all the time and what better than a waterproof shoe to have them throw on for the trips to and from the pool or beach? They are available at the PX on base and all kinds of knockoffs are available in town. It also rains like crazy on this tropical island, so again - that rubber shoe is the way to go. I'm sticking with my foam-bottomed flip-flops. I just can't bring myself to do it!
And I wish I'd had the Jibbitz idea - THAT is where I should've gotten on the train. (those doo-hickeys that the kids plunk into the holes on the Crocs?).
As for politeness, I can speak to that as well. Japanese people on this island are polite & courteous, but it's the same way on mainland Japan on the trains, buses, and things of that nature - when you live in a place that's so crowded, you'll spend your whole day saying "excuse me" or "I'm sorry" to people you brush or bump. The culture is just different too, something we wouldn't understand if we didn't grow up there. And I don't think it's much different in NY let's say (crowded-wise) - but the politeness is usually there.
Posted by: Aviva at August 17, 2007 03:53 PM