When Russians behave badly, the Russians get blamed...when Americans behave badly, Americans are blamed, but when Israelis behave badly, all Jews are blamed. because just as you say, it is Jewish/Israel. The two cannot be separated because Israel represents itself as a nation of all Jews throughout the world. On that basis, maybe you should give a "pumm fart."

Sounds like you have a big chip on your shoulder. Most of this is nothing other than cultural misunderstanding. Have you taken the time to try and understand that when something means one thing in one culture it means another thing in a different culture? Probably not, which is why you are so easily offended. If you don't like Israel, don't come here! Believe me it's your loss.

could you explain it to me?: "On that basis, maybe you should give a "pumm fart."

But now I calmed down, and would like to give my opinion about this issue. Yes,Israelis behavior is the mirror of all of us,Jews,I think... We have the cultural habit of liking a good deal,so we bargain...We have the habit of not caring too much about others's reactions and, usually ,we do what we want,doesn't matter what others feel and think...our children are sometimes very spoiled... Well...we have a long history of shtetels and isolation and economical necessities,so we have etched in our behavior many defects as well as many virtues. Yes,I think truth have to be faced, even if it hurts,and we have always to apprimorate ourselves. The root is ,as Israeli Mom says,education. Hence,I believe this report is very important ,in order to start throwing light in a problem that must be faced and changed. Just one suggestion:Here in Brasil,years ago,people used to be a lot much ill educated,tossing papers from window's cars;letting rests of food in the beaches;putting very lowd music,don't caring it bothered others ;and so one. And I remember a public campaign that helped to change things a bit.. So,maybe,out of individual concentization,a good educational publicitare campaing would help too.

The behaviour of charedi little children and their parents on El Al planes is wonderful, and an example to all the rest of us. They too sometimes have their belly buttons showing above their Pampers, but they, at least, look cute, whereas others uh, revolting, as they slouch past.

To the auther, Why don't you come and see how Israelies treat the Natives Palestinians. Why don't you come to visist Palestine once and see the ugliest occupation on this earth. Why don't you check on us and see how do solders humilate us. We are human beings, deserve to live with degnity in our own home land. I delat with Israelies through out all of my life. Good ones when exist afraid to stand up for bad ones. All over the places I did visit, when I bargained a deal, I heard some one say, sh****t are youa jew? I heard it many times in EU, and US.

The day when you will not feel "humiliated" anymore is comming soon. It is comming the day for you to go and live in your right place,among your owns,far from Israel. It is comming the day when you will leave our Land and finally finish your ugliest occupation on it. It is near this day,B''H!

Oh because your brethren are just so refined and civilized with your honour killings ( dont like lil sisters boyfriend - 'humliates' your pathetic male penial pride in your crap patriachal society because she won't marry your mate, ali - strangle her and shove her down the well) and firing guns in the air at weddings shooting a few people together. (and that is not to mention the suicide bombs ) and wandering around jumping up and down like lunatics after 9/11 l singing Ya Osama Ya Chabib But I suppose I dont understand your culture mind you lots of things can have culture - including rot and mould.

Interesting to see what kind of comments an article about travelling etiquette has brought up... I travelled extensively through Southeast Asia and met some very interesting people from all over, including Israel. It's never enjoyable as a traveller to feel like the locals wish you would just go away. I must say the one time I felt that vibe coming from locals was because a group of Israeli girls blasted their dance music on their speakers at the back of a bus. Not only were they disturbing everyone on the bus but they were purposefully trying to bury the bus driver's own music... I thought it was a really impolite thing to do, and I would have thought the same if Brits, Aussies or whoever else had done it...

I visited Israel only once - last year. In all honesty I had no idea what to expect - the country is so very different from mine in every possible way. i was totally blown away by the natural beauty of the land - it is one of the prettiest places in the world I think. I was quite unprepared however to deal with the rude and obnoxious native population. we torontonians can be a bit stuffy at times but generally we are friendly and expect the same in return. To cut to the chase I have never been treated in such a way as I was in Israel.

Marlene, if its the same Marlene from NYC & Al Awda, lives on Haaretz & Ynet talkbacks bashing Israel. For some people, all subjects lead to the schmoccupation.

my goodness, you've just proved the writer's point dead on.

My younger sister came back froma similar trip to S America recently and said how badly Israeli travellers act. Evidently running from hostels without paying is a popular past time. Disgusting.

Israeli tourists act this way? Funny, having lived here for several years, the "tourist" part is superfluous. There are good and bad Israelis in terms of derekh eretz - and travel has nothing to do with it.

What nonsense. As if any place could be 'discovered' by any nation! You think Israeli's were the first the travel to India? SE Asia? S. America? The problem is that the 'bad' Israelis stay in groups, do not mix with locals or other travellers. They come straight out of their National Service, while people of other countries of the same age have gone through University, enjoyed themselves and had freedom. So when they discover they have no more national service, a wad of money in their hands and no one looking over their shoulder the flip out. Brits, Americans, Canadians, French, Australians have more life experience. It is a unique problem to Israel.