Go ahead, people, ask me about anything!
This thread is meant to be about Israeli vs. American culture, or about Israeli culture in general, or about anything else. American politics are fine, too, but PLEASE don’t derail this thread by asking stupid things like “How does it feel to know that you are a member of an evil sentient race of arab-hating scum?”
We all know who is going to ask that. Please reserve that to another thread. This is supposed to be about culture, not politics.
Wait… are you Israeli/American or American/Israeli?
Do you primarily reside in Israel or the United States or do you go back and forth between them? Where does your family live?
You you really wrap French fries up in pita with the falafel?
Mostly Israeli, also American citizenship, I <3 America, etc. So up to you, I don’t think there’s an accepted method to this.
America, most of my family is in Israel.
No, but that sounds very very good. Now I’m hungry…
Oh, but I have to drown it all in olive oil first.
How much does a beer in a local bar in Tel Aviv (a regular place, not a high end club) cost in US Dollars?
Don’t know specifically (I don’t go to Tel Aviv if I can avoid it. The only large cities I can stand are Haifa and Jerusalem. And that’s because of their historic feel.) but based on other stuff, it’s probably just about the same or slightly cheaper. Don’t quote me on that, though.
If you don’t want to be asked these questions, then you shouldn’t have admitted that you were an American. 
How hard is it to keep Kosher? Any verboten dishes tempt you?
What’s the 1st war/milestone you remember?
Since I’ve grown up with it, very easy. I’d have a harder time NOT keeping kosher than keeping kosher.
No non-kosher dishes tempt me (Shrimp? Yuck. Peperoni pizza? Gross. Any pig product? Hold my nose shut and back away slowly). However, one thing I hate is when I eat meat at a certain time, than just when I’m done remember that I’m meeting friends for pizza in an hour. THAT sucks, and is the only hard part of keeping kosher.
I’m sure this isn’t the earliest war/milestone I’ve been through or remember, but the one I have the strongest memory of was the Second Intifada. I was in a car with my father driving to my uncle for… Passover? Something like that. Anyways, we heard about Palestinians throwing rocks on the news, and we were all thinking that it’s just the holidays, meaning that Palestinians were out of work on that day, and therefore getting restless. None of us thought it would end up with suicide bombings, etc.
When you’re in the US, what are the things you miss from Israel?
When you are in Israel, what are the things you miss from the US?
When you first came to the US, what everyday thing really seemed “weird” to you about this country (I mean something mundane you encounter almost every day, for example, light switches working differently, or the “busy signal” on the phone sounding different)
In the US, I miss my family, the food, and the culture. Especially the humor.
In Israel, I miss my American friends.
When I first moved here, I was weirded out by right turns at a red light, miles an inches, the American sense of humor, and most of all American politeness and political correctness.
Specific examples will follow soon. But if there’s something you want me to focus on, post now.
L’shanah tovah tikatevi v’taihatemi (I sure hope you’re female! Don’t know why I’m assuming you are.)
Are you building a Sukkah? We’re getting ready to put ours up this afternoon.
What’s your favorite part of Israel? I haven’t been there since 1976. How shocked would I be if I came back now, at how it’s changed?
I’m a guy. And to you too. (I’m guessing you’re a gal? I always assume people are guys).
I’ll build one soon. I know, I was supposes to start yesterday. But I was (and still am) hungry!
Missed second part.
My favorite part of Israel? I love everything, but I guess I love how real people are. None of this American-style politeness or political correctness. Except for politicians.
And before someone misinterprets me, political correctness has nothing to do with racism. Israelis are far less racist than Americans, in my expirence. Even when it comes to Arabs. (and may this be the closest we come to politics.)
I wasn’t alive in 67, so I’ll just describe modern Israel and you can compare to the good old days. Israel is very modern. There’s wifi on every corner, especially in the city when only one in ten connections are password protected. Israelis are rude in an honest way, if that makes sense. No tolerance for BS. You can go to your friend or neighboor and knock on the door without calling first. Israel has lots of trees-it’s the only country in the world that entered the new millenium with more trees than before.
People have generally accepted that we’ll be dumping gaza and the west bank. The police is friendly, but nobody respects them. Politicians are corrupt ass holes. We still have five or so parties in parliment who only speak Arabic and run just to form coalitions.
And for the last time, babafizle is not a real drink. Israelis drink Royal Crown cola.
Ah, well in that case, L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem. 
And yes, I’m a girl. My screen name is my sister’s dog’s name.
When I was there in '76, there were always at least 2 Israeli military with rifles slung over their backs on every bus we’d get on. Now I read that they might be putting bags of pig fat on the buses to discourage bombers who wouldn’t want their bodies covered in pig guts if they blew themselves up. Is that actually happening, and how do you feel about it?
Thanks for your reply about what your favorite things about Israel are, but I was actually asking in reference to geography. I understand not liking Tel Aviv. It was a big, dirty, commercialized city with seedy parts (the “red light district”) in 1978 (I’ve been misstating the date :smack:) when I was there, and I imagine it’s still like that. But I loved, loved, loved Jerusalem and Haifa. And the Golan Heights in the North is absolutely exquisite. Do you have a favorite area?
Are Israeli women as straight-forward or direct? I’ve seen pictures or shows and they just look absolutely beautiful.