Hebrew language learning for immersion might make it easier for you to navigate life in Israel. But even after you’ve stayed here for a while, there are some things that you’ll struggle to find.

These are just a few of the unexpected things that you may find elsewhere, but not in Israel:

1. A Homogeneous Society

Israel’s culture is unique in the sense that it has no singular origin. The country enjoys the reputation of a melting pot, having attracted people of the Jewish faith from all over the world since 1948.

People who come to Israel have always brought with them the cultures and traditions of the country they come from. Over time, these disparate cultures and traditions all blended with each other and helped shape the Israeli culture as we know it today.

Thanks to the contribution of generations of people from a wide range of countries, modern Israeli society is very diverse.

Recommended Reading: Films That Tell You About Israeli Culture

2. Overly Polite Conversation

Israelis tend to be direct, both in their conversation and in their behavior.

Someone accustomed to excessive niceties and pleasantries in conversation can easily mistake the trademark Israeli directness for rudeness. Many foreigners are shocked and almost offended—while talking to an Israeli—by what they might consider aggression.

From an Israeli perspective, it’s not aggression or rudeness, but the art of direct and to-the-point conversation with no beating around the bush.

In fact, if you’re ever talking to an Israeli and they start using overly formal and polite language with you, it’s a reliable sign that they don’t consider you a close friend or someone they can be comfortable with.

Recommended Reading: Best Ways to Make Friends in Israel

3. Lack of Emotion

In this area, Israelis are very much a combination of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences.

Israelis are very comfortable with expressing their emotions, which is considered very unusual by people visiting Israel from more uptight or closed-off cultures. If you’re befriending an Israeli, expect a lot of enthusiasm and great, emotional displays of affection.

You’ll also be surprised by how heated an argument between friends can get. Israelis love a good debate with their friends and often let their emotions run high while asserting themselves. Things might even go to the point of exchanging insults, but as soon as the debate is settled, they’ll go right back to their normal enthusiastic conversation.

Summing it Up

When you visit Israel, make sure you keep an open mind and get comfortable with the following:

• Loud and high-energy conversations.
  
  
• Disagreements that turn into intense arguments, and dissipate just as quickly.
  
  
• Displays of affection between friends (think hugs, kisses, and handshakes).
  
  
• Being direct with what you want to say and expressing your emotions to their fullest.
  
  
• Being welcoming and hospitable to others, as they’ll no doubt be to you.

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