What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Israel?
We asked people in Israel if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. For new expats, keep in mind that these incidents are an inevitable part of expat life. Learning to laugh about them is the key!...
"Sometimes I still go to a store on Friday night/Saturday to find it closed for Shabat, or one of the many Israeli/Jewish holidays I was unaware of," remarked another expat in Kfar Saba, Israel.
"It is important to be respectful of the culture and customs of Israel. It is considered rude to make negative comments about the country or its people. It is also important to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. It is also important to be aware of the Sabbath, which is observed from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, and to avoid doing any work or using electronic devices during this time. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to avoid making any comments that could be seen as insensitive or offensive," said a member in Israel.
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What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Israel?
If you live in Israel, newcomers to Israel would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.