Annoying Americans

One of the biggest lies people told me about Israel is that you don't have to know Hebrew to live here. Calling it a lie might be a bit harsh, but it's certainly not the whole truth. Maybe if you're in a Seminary or Yeshiva full time and surrounded by Americans, you can get by with no Hebrew, but not if you're actually living here. It could be that in some places in Israel where there are lots of Americans things are different, but not where I am.

Here are a few of the things I found impossible to do in English:

1. Anything related to the Misrad Hapnim, ironic considering they deal with foreigners all day.
2. Opening a bank account. Holy crapple kugel that was an ordeal (maybe I'll write about it later)!
3. Shopping at most non-tourist stores, even inside Malcha Mall.
4. Ordering food in restaurants that aren't in touristy areas.

There are more that I'm forgetting. Fortunately, Nehama understands and speaks a lot more Hebrew than she admits to. It's also helpful to have my in-laws down the block to help us fill out all the forms we don't understand. I'm hoping to learn Hebrew myself, I think I've picked up a fair amount so far, even if I still have the dear in the headlights look whenever someone speaks to me in Hebrew. 

I started to notice something interesting. I was in a restaurant, getting some schwarma (I'm not saying how many times I've eaten at Schwarma places, but I can now place my order in Hebrew ;-)). I always try to at least greet the person taking the order and ask if he speaks English, in Hebrew. This particular guy spoke English fluently and exemplified efficient order taking. After I got my food a group of American teenaged Yeshiva boys came in loudly and went to place their order. The first boy said "Give me a schwarma on a plate" and suddenly the cashier "forgot" how to speak in English. 

As I watched the group places their orders and eat, I thought "wow, this must be what people mean when they talk about annoying americans". They were so loud and obnoxious and showed no respect for the people whose country they were guests in. Once I saw this, I started to see it wherever I went, especially on public transportation and on Ben Yehuda street. I'm sure it's not just Americans that do this (actually, I'm not sure at all), but it makes me not want to be recognized as an American. At the very least, it's good motivation for me to work on my Hebrew. I've tried speaking French to people in our neighborhood and turns out my French is not as good as I thought...shocking! :-)