The promised land of Israel is, of course, not only an interesting place in itself with an ancient and richest history, but also a special, unlike anything culture.
A modern high-tech state in which one of the oldest (and most dogmatized) religions is professed.
A small country with blooming cities and gardens in a waterless desert (whose neighbors do not feel particularly warm feelings for it).
Peaceful, pious and hospitable (but always ready to give a decisive rebuff to any enemy) population.
All this he is Israel. And, of course, there are some features that all guests of the country should know - these are small taboos, the violation of which can entail not only misunderstandings, but also serious problems.
So here you can’t:
10. Stand in the green light
No, it’s not that it was explicitly forbidden by law (or at least by the rules of the road), just Israel is still more of an eastern country, and therefore there are relevant standards of conduct, including on the road.
And if in Europe everyone is just getting ready for the yellow light, then somewhere on Tel Aviv street they are already impatiently honking.
Well, they will begin to gently push you into the green light in the back (solely because of the kindness of your soul - what if you have poor eyesight and didn’t notice that the light at the traffic light has changed? Or you just thought too much).
9. To joke with the security service
Actually, this should not be done at all in any country, but in Israel, where, alas, not without reason, the threat of terrorism is taken very seriously, such jokes can end up especially unpleasant for you.
Yes, sometimes to the question of a police officer or border guard such as “Do you carry weapons, drugs or prohibited items?” I want to answer: “Yes, a full suitcase! Which ones do you need? ”
Well, doesn’t he see that he is facing the most ordinary tourist, and not a bandit or a drug lord armed to the teeth ?! Of course he sees, but that does not make you an exception, a person who does not need to be inspected.
And your playful mood will surely evaporate instantly when you are taken to a separate room for a thorough search and held there for several hours, searching really everywhere.
8. Drive a car on Atonement Day
Yes, you could hear that, for example, nothing works in Israel on Shabbat (that is, Saturday) - not offices, shops, restaurants and coffee houses, or even public transport. Like, this is the strictest religious ban: Saturday work is a great sin.
In fact, this is not entirely true: if you come to Israel, then make sure that on Saturday you can have a great lunch in a restaurant, take a taxi to the place you need, and see something repairing workers. Here, very strictly observe Shabbat here, in practice, only orthodoxes.
But there is a holiday in Israel, the rules of which all Israelis adhere to without exception (regardless of their religious affiliation) - this is the Day of Atonement (or Yom Kippur).
On this day, you can not drive a car (that is, absolutely). It is allowed to roller skate, on a scooter, on a bicycle, etc., but not on a car.
But on the Day of Atonement, you can easily walk right along the road.
7. To offend children
Children in this original country are almost sacred and untouchable (not just joy for parents and “flowers of life”, but a real cult).
If the child wants something, then he will receive it, do not even hesitate. He can do anything and whatever: there is a cake in a public cafe, half hanging down from a chair and wiping his palms on the pants of a gentleman sitting at a nearby table (while occasionally piercingly yelling); wildly rush between guests at an adult party and get into conversations; mix all the goods on the shelf in the store, etc.
And no one will condemn such unbridled behavior, and will not even make a remark to a petty bully - this is not accepted and even indecent.
Children's will is the law. And you (whether you like it or not) will have to temporarily put up with it.
6. Refuse treats
Another truly iconic thing in Israel is food (the good thing is that it is really very tasty and quite diverse here). Nobody will believe you (and they simply will not pay attention) if you say that you do not want to eat.
If at the same time you are still not well-fed, then hold on - they will feed to the dump at all costs, almost by force. Because thin people are sorry (those who eat without appetite - too, because such a person is probably sick with something).
So get ready in advance (especially at a party!) To absorb in huge quantities various hummuses, falafels, forcemeats, yogurts with date syrup, etc., etc.
5. Smoking in public places
In fact, in the past few years, smoking (especially in public places) has been banned in many countries.
But if, for example, in the same Europe, smokers live a little easier, because in restaurants, bars, nightclubs, train stations, etc. there are special places for smoking, then in Israel they decided to fight this bad habit in the most radical way.
Here you will not be able to smoke in any public place, not at a stop, nor, moreover, on the balcony of the hotel.
4. Riding without clothes
This ban is also registered quite officially. Even if it’s very hot outside (after all, for a minute, you’re still in the Middle East), or you need to drive just a half a kilometer - just to the beach, you still do not have the right to drive with a naked torso (by the way , this also applies to your passengers).
No options like “bare top and beach shorts”, and even more so “mini bikini”. In this case, the penalty will be unequivocal and very noticeable.
And actually in this (recall - Middle Eastern!) Country, excessive nudity is not welcomed in principle. After all, it is full of Orthodox, as well as Orthodox Muslims.
3. To be a retrograde
Hmm ... Vivid pictures immediately flashed before your mind: orthodox Jews in black wide hats and pats, Muslim women, wrapped up right up to their very eyes, etc. Progress, as they say, is obvious! In fact, these are special cases. Religion (especially on the verge of fanaticism) is, of course, a powerful thing, you can not argue with it.
But in general, Israel as a whole is a country of new technologies (and often, the most advanced ones). And for the majority of its population, the latest gadgets and their freshest models are considered almost an obligatory attribute not only of a successful, but simply a normal person.
If the phone is only the one that came out just a couple of months ago, if the charging is wireless, it’s better to defiantly pay by phone, etc. Otherwise, you are a backward person.
2. Give way in transport to young women
Most of the citizens of Israel are very well-educated and intelligent people, and they are well aware that the transport should give way to the elderly and weak people (which is not surprising, because many of them come from the former Soviet Union, and there with "household" education everything was very good).
But if you suddenly liked a beautiful brown-eyed girl standing nearby, and you, suddenly feeling like a gentleman, decided to give up your place to her, then get ready for a possible negative reaction.
Young people here have very advanced concepts of “gentlemanhood” - they can easily accuse you of literally scolding modern principles of equality and publicly humiliating a girl (completely independent and emancipated!).
1. Flirt with the girls on the street
The same can be said about meeting girls on the street. Our playful: "Does your mom need a son-in-law?" it won’t take a ride in Israel (even if you heard that the beauty just spoke Russian, which means she’s most likely the former “ours”).
The fact is that in Israel, especially in the main tourist places, beautiful girls are so tired of constant intrusive attention (especially since - see point 2, they are really quite emancipated here) that in a couple of minutes you may be unpleasantly surprised. Having met the local police, who complained about the object of your completely innocent courtship.