By Adar
Being a Poli Sci minor, and taking mainly courses related to conflict and societal cleavages, I often think about Israel in terms of the deep scars and strife that bog down the country. But I wanted to devote this post to some of the things that I see day-to-day that make me say, "that's so Israeli". Sometimes I think they're weird. Sometimes genius. Sometimes just different. And sometimes hilarious.
1. Animal-shaped iphone cases
Mainly bunnies. They're large and neon plastic cases that are supposedly cute.
2. Straws
I swear, Israelis think plastic straws are the most essential part of the 21st century. You will never be offered a drink without a straw. On more than one occasion I have handed someone a drink and been asked where the straw is. When I replied that I didn't have one, I got the most appalled look. I'm talking regular, run-of-the-mill, plastic straws.
3. Naot
An Israeli-made shoe company designed for practicality. They've expanded a lot, and now make strappy sandals and sturdy heels too, but their hallmark is the quality. Perfect for hiking and walking in the summer. Or if you're Israeli, in the winter, too. I got myself a couple of pairs.
You can recognize an Israeli by their sandals all over the world. The quintessential Israeli Sandal is the one-strap shoresh.
4. Take What You Need
One of the most unusual things I noticed in the supermarket was that things were missing in small amounts. A bag of pita would have seven instead of ten pieces. A bag of carrots would be ripped and only half-full. A carton of eggs would be missing four eggs. An eight-pack of yogurt would have five. I soon realized that what people do here is only take what they need. They buy carrots by the carrot, not the bag. Something like Costco would work very differently here.
5. Tasee li "like"
Social media is a really big deal here. Israel is a huge hub for cutting-edge technology and high-tech, so new apps and electronics are developed all the time. I think Israelis are more active facebook users than Americans even, and what's more is that they feel very personally affected by it. If you delete an Israeli on facebook because you just never talk to them and want to cut down your extraneous internet friends, they will notice. They will notice even if you have literally only met them once and haven't ever talked since you've been facebook friends. And they will be offended. They may even add you back and send you a message asking why you deleted them. It's happened before. They also encourage each other verbally to like their photos and posts. If you just walk around a hall with offices, you'll hear a chorus of "tasee li like" (like my __!) from coworkers jabbing about their latest photos.
A particularly Israeli app is called Waze, which combines three things that shouldn't be: Social media, weird little cartoons, and a GPS. It's a GPS app, but as you approach traffic, pass a cop, see an accident, or something of the sort, you can tell everyone else using the app that it's there. Kind of a useful idea, but I recommend it only be used by front-seat passengers. Israeli drivers are bad enough without any help.
6. Squeegies
I've mentioned before that the way floors are cleaned here is by pouring water on the floor and attaching a rag to a squeegie looking device. I did not lie. Squeegies here come in multiple sizes, and each household has several different versions, depending on the surface. There are sink squeegies, floor squeegies and window squeegies. They just love them.
7. Hafuch and Botz
For some reason Israelis think they have reinvented the wheel when it comes to coffee. In reality, they do a mediocre version of something already perfected. Like cappuccinos? Try a Cafe Hafuch (upside down coffee). You put the milky foam first, then the espresso instead of the other way around. And Cafe Botz (mud coffee) mixes the art of Arab and Turkish coffee making with laziness. Instead of boiling coffee grounds in a raqwa with sugar and cardamom, then patiently waiting for the coffee grounds to simmer to the bottom and pouring the perfectly drinkable liquid into a cup -- oh no. Israeli's say that takes way too much trouble. They put thick coffee grounds in a mug and pour boiling water into it, then wait for the "mud" to sink to the bottom and avoid drinking it.
8. L'nagev
L'nagev is a verb which means "to wipe" and is used as a reference to hummus. No hummus left behind. It's an unbreakable rule.
9. Leggings and T-shirts
As far as fashion-forward goes, Israeli young women have decided to make leggings a substitute for pants (I thought we had already vetoed that elsewhere in the world but I guess not). Combine that with an affinity for tucking in shirts, and you've got shirt-tucked-into-leggings as standard. It is for this reason that people glance once at me and know I'm not Israeli. I refuse.
10. Nargila
Nargila, or hookah, is a very very common thing around campus. People invite their friends over to nargila all the time, mainly after dinner in the evenings, accompanied by some tea or coffee and conversation. It's very much a part of the culture that is influenced by the large Arab population on campus. But it's also all the time and everywhere, which is kind of surprising. While walking to class at 3pm I'll see a couple of guys smoking nargila in a courtyard of an academic building.
11. Matkot
Matkot is a paddle game played on the beach, that just involves a couple of people, a couple of ping pong paddles, and a small rubber ball. If you go to the beach on a warm day you'll hear a symphony of click click click click click click click constantly.
12. Nu
Nu is a word that comes from Yiddish and is used to accompany the general Israeli pushiness that is commonplace. It's a fun word to say, pronounced closer to (noo), and is often said in conjunction with a gesture. Similar is rega or "wait a second!" This can be a fervent raising of both hands, or more classically holding one hand up, fingers opposing the thumb, and shaking at someone's face.
13. Kibbutzified shirts
Kibbutznicks, or farmers on collective farms, are known for their sturdy work ethic. They are not known for keeping their clothes in prime condition. Even if they haven't lived on their parent's kibbutz in years, you'll spot them by the large cutoff from the top of their t-shirt and cropping of the bottom quarter.
14. Eggplants, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Give an Israeli these three ingredients and they'll ask you why you'd ever need any other food. Eggplants are manipulated into every possible variation. And an "Israeli Salad" has no such thing as lettuce in sight. It's chopped up tomatoes and cucumbers, a little lemon, salt and olive oil. Presto.
15. Juice stands
Oranges and pomegranates sit in huge piles and are squeezed using a tall juicing contraption. It's as fresh as you can get, and absolutely delicious.
16. Crocs on Haredim
You know those stereotypical black hat, white shirt, long coat, big beard, curly hair in front of their face, bookish Jews? They're all over the country here. And they wear crocs.
17. Useless Bag Checks
In every entrance to public areas (malls, train stations, office buildings) there's a security guard who asks to check your bag. It's a really quick inspection, checking for suspicious weapons or something of the sort. But they don't really check at all. They glance at the top and let you through. I could have the most suspicious of weapons and they probably wouldn't notice. Useless.
18. Short short shorts
Israel is hot, I get it. The country's weather is a rather high temperature a rather large portion of the time. But the thing is, the guys here think they're hot too. And so they wear these tiny tiny shorts that really should only be worn by twelve year old girls. Especially while exercising. Especially while on the beach. And the girls at the beach don't put sunblock on, they put oil on their skin to tan faster. But Israelis are very particular about what is weather-appropriate. On a 75 degree day, Israelis will show up at the beach in long sleeves and jeans while all the Americans are in shorts and tank tops. But it's February so why would you not wear long sleeves in the winter?
19. Israelis do not do lines
Not for the bus. Not for a doctor's appointment. Not at the grocery store. Not at ticket queues. Not in a restroom. Not at the post office. There's always a reason your purpose is more urgent than the person in front of you, and they'll just have to wait.
20. Talking loudly on the phone in public places.
I know more about Oren's issues with his insurance than he does. And about Irit's kid's soccer game in second grade than the coach. Israeli's have very little censorship when it comes to volume. They yell across the street, they yell on the phone. They just kind of yell a lot. (Though rarely is it actually mal-intentions. And still not as loud as Americans are.)