Opinion
We’re no worse than others
Gaya Koren
Published: 03.01.12, 23:17
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31 Talkbacks for this article
1. and y no mention of "The Ugly American"...
(01.04.12)
it is a book written in the middle of the 20th century. It is all about the behaviours of the American Tourist. Best quote from the book: "If I speak loudly enough and clearly enough you will understand!"
2. young Israeli behavior in Soth America
Joe ,   Los Angeles, USA   (01.04.12)
I love Israel mightily and visit regularly. But I have also been trekking in South America several times recently and what I've seen in terms of Israeli (mis)behavior -- let alone heard from locals on the subject -- is the antithesis of flattering....
3. We are worse than others, and we need to learn how to behave
tf ,   herzliya il   (01.04.12)
4. Great Article
Yossy H ,   USA   (01.04.12)
I agree 100% I would bet that some of Israel's P.R come from within like always accepting blame we need to be a bit more proud and not just bow down to everyone
5. Moslem Pilgrims in Mecca
Abdel Karim Salim ,   Jerusalem   (01.04.12)
You are quite right . And to support your argument it should be noted that the annual moslem pilgrimage to Mecca is considered by moslems -besides being an Islamic ritual-a grand business occasion , a most-convenient thievery season, and a fornication and prostitution vacation . You would be surprised to know how many moslems hide as pilgrims just for the sake of stealing light but expensive items from other pilgrims ... !
6. No, of course not!
Gunnar ,   Gothenburg, Sweden   (01.04.12)
Israeli tourists in general are not worse than others. Russians on the other hand... However, the reputation that Israeli youngsters who have just finished their military sevrice and are out on their first big backpackers tour have, is not completely unfounded. WOW, in that drinking contest at a Buenos Aires youth hostel, no one stood a chance against the group of five guys and girls in their early 20:s from Tel Aviv...haha
7. There are hooligans in every country, but...
Aharon   (01.04.12)
Israelis are overwhelmingly loud, pushy and rude. This is the (rather unfortunate) national culture which Israel has developed. It has its advantages - disdain for hierarchy and authority, creativity, originality and an entrepreneurial streak - and it has its disadvantages. One of those is that our young people have created a terrible image of us when they go overseas because they behave like hooligans.
8. Israeli Tourists
UncleMike ,   Parsippany NJ   (01.04.12)
Israeli Tourists in NYC are LOUD!
9. It'a hard to blame the Israelis for their conduct.
Chas.   (01.04.12)
They are not less obnoxious at home, and when abroad do not hesitate to demonstrate their disdain for other inferior cultures. Real winners these guys.
10. Is Germany crying over the jerk in LA?
Rachel ,   US   (01.04.12)
Who set over 50 fires?
11. What the great secular State forgot to teach its kids is
Al   (01.04.12)
that they are Jews and as such they will always be viewed as the bane of the world. They forgot to teach them that they are Jews first and foremost. When you leave the safe little ghetto of TA, you are not Israelis, you are Jews. Get it thru your heads. Point of fact is that Singer was picked out as a DIRTY JEW, and not as an Israeli. This kid Singer will learn a life lesson thru his experience in Chile. The goy will ensure he stays a Jew. He may not stay in an Israel, but you can bet the house he will remember he is a Jew.
12. Israelis are hooligans??
karimuru ,   Finland   (01.04.12)
Whats about Scandinavians??? Never seen an Israelis behaved like Scandinavians in tourist places..
13. Israelis may be loud and pushy
aliza ,   israel   (01.04.12)
For obnoxious Aussie tourists (and British) beat Israelis. Aussies have a reputation wherever they go to be drunk, loud, obnoxious Aust. flag wearing and showing no respect for the culture/country they are visiting. The tourist minister of Dubrovnik in Croatia has told Aussies to stay away!
14. She's absolutely right.
tiki ,   belgium   (01.04.12)
15. tourist
Larry Butler ,   Israel   (01.04.12)
Yes we should blame our selfs, and we should hold our selfs to a higher standard then the rest ! we don't have to act like the rest of the world people . we should always try to improve ourselfs. there is a saying ! (You lie down with with dogs you get up with fleas) well i don't want fleas "
16. We should be better
gab ,   modiin   (01.04.12)
Young israeli's are arrogant abroad. They think they know better.... Because they had been at the idf they think that they can do anything!
17. look a bit closer to home.
ester ,   london uk   (01.04.12)
Yes,I know us Brits have a bad reputation abroad, but at least we dont try and direct peoples attention to other nationalities when we have shown ourselves up. Why try and push this onto others, its Israels turn in the spotlight. Oh, and if Israelis didnt have a bad reputation, then why is it that in Thailand where my brother lives does he see signs on every bar banning Israeli's!!!!!!!!!!!????????? We all show ourselves up from time to time, but hold your hands up and admit it, dont pass the buck.
18. #1 There are certainly rude American tourists...
esnuffnstl ,   USA   (01.04.12)
....but the worse of the worse American tourists are about equal to the average British or Israeli tourist. Some might say British tourists at least have an excuse--they are usually drunk. Whereas Israeli tourists just seem to be jerks regardless of whether they're sober or not. It comes down to arrogance (and an accompanying disdain for other cultures.) Like I said, there are certainly Americans who fall into this category, but we don't hold a candle to Brits and Israelis.
19. Israeli tourists in Israel is a horror
Susya Bar Dror ,   IL   (01.04.12)
Bad manners only, grubby, pushy, loud.
20. cabin crews of foreign airlines hate working the Israel rte.
am ,   Israel   (01.04.12)
I find it very embarrassing when the crews of foreign airlines flying to and from Israel despise having to work the Ben Gurion route to and from foreign destinations because of the very "demanding" behavior of the average Israeli traveller.
21. Indeed worse than others
Anthony ,   Amsterdam   (01.04.12)
Am Jewish and Israeli and have worked in the hotel industry throughout Europe. Israelis are very often considered abnoxious and sadly, it is very true. There is no politeness in Israel and therefore none shown in the countries visited. The basic hello, thank you and goodbye are not used even though in most of the West, it comes naturally to people without having to think about it. True, they don't behave differently than at home but that kind of behaviour is not acceptable in most countries. Also assuming that everyone else are idiots does not help in that matter...
22. how enlightening
Michael ,   Haifa   (01.04.12)
Glad to know that you are no worse than the sh**s from other countries..you must be quite pleased with yourself with that achievement
23. well said
sue ,   Israel   (01.05.12)
Israeli's are no worse than anyone else.I've seen loads of Israeli tourists abroad who behave splendidly The only reason I knew they were Israeli was because of the language. Still it's good to be self aware if whining comes with the territory so be it but we shouldn't be apologetic for being Israeli. We should be proud.
24. israeli chuzpe !!!! but...
ilan z ,   switzerland   (01.05.12)
i m jewish and also israel living in switzerland. I know that Israeli have a incredible chuzpe ! thats very well known. ever seen an israeli waiting in a queue ? the israeli always tries to find a way to try not to stand in the queue, to pay less, to profit here and there. also the israeli has no manners. no thank you, no apprechiation of what he gets. BUT WHAT MATTERS THE MOST, COMPARE TO OTHERS, IF YOU NEED HELP FROM THE ISRAELI YOU'LL GET IT INSTANTLY !
25. As for the case of the French guy...
dorothy friend ,   Tel Aviv   (01.05.12)
...Israel should talk about the French not deporting him! It took years for Israel to deport William Nakash to France, and he was wanted for MURDER!
26. #8 And New Yorkers are known for being very quiet, reserved.
Ehud   (01.05.12)
27. We are not worse, but...
Golani ,   Vineland/Mi Ami   (01.05.12)
We are not worse, however, we "Israelis" for some reason are put under a microscope whether we are traveling abroad or in Israel and the world wants to catch us misbehaving. The press loves to print articles about Israelis misbehaving. Because of this phenomenon, we have to go out of our way to set a good example.
28. Israeli tourists no worse than other nationalities;
Allan ,   Toronto   (01.05.12)
Israeli's should be more concerned with the tourist that visit Israel. I was visiting there last summer and used to live there for 12 years. I was shocked to see how dirty the country has become and that Israeli's in general don't seem to care or even pick up their own trash! I was also shocked by the terrible service we got at most restaurants Israeli's need to understand that this behavior starts at home and continues abroad.
29. just as bad is not good enough
aaron ,   brooklyn usa   (01.09.12)
we shouldn't strive to be "just slightly better than others", it's like we're not even trying. we are supposed to be an example for others, rather than use the average of others as a standard to live down to. also, pointing out the flaws of others to rationalize our own poor conduct is among the lower end of behaviors, which should not be entertained in the first place.
30. Look to Israeli representation
Amos ,   Canada   (01.10.12)
If dealing with Israelis is represented by the arrogance and rudeness of israeli consulate staff, then I understand the bad taste Israelis leave behind them.
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