My Commute Home

While sitting on the bus on my way home from my final, I noticed two stereotypical Israeli characteristics that I felt the need to share.

1. If you ever find yourself on a bus in Israel, you will notice that anytime an elderly person, pregnant woman, or disabled person gets on a bus, at least 2 people will quickly jump up to offer his/her seat. The first time I saw a man give up his seat for an older woman, I was shocked. Of course it is the right thing to do, but more often times than not, you will find Israelis walking to their own rhythm, completely oblivious to their surrounding environment. There after I started to notice how this was not just a one time occurrence. People give up their seats without thinking twice. It really is a beautiful sight to see.

I’d say that among all the chaos and disorder that occurs here, I would have to say that this might be Israel’s redeeming quality.

2. Tonight, on my bus ride home, my cell phone rang (my obnoxious ringtone, of course) and I start having a conversation with my friend. Well apparently I was too loud and I started getting dirty looks from the people sitting around me. All I could think was “Are you seriously giving me dirty looks?! You are listening to music on your cell phone that is far more offensive and louder than my finance conversation.” Instead, I took the Israeli road. I just ignored them and even raised my voice, just a little to get my point across.

In the obnoxious noise on bus:

Shira = 1

Israel= 0