A Good Samaritan in Tel Aviv

A couple of weeks ago I went out to dinner with my girlfriend, and we were in a hurry so we took a cab (don't do that too often, but it was a special occasion).  As soon as we arrived at the restaurant my girlfriend noticed that she didn't have her phone, and she immediately assumed that she left it in the taxi.  I told her that she probably forgot it at home, but as soon as we got home and looked everywhere we knew that it must have been left in the taxi.  Luckily, ever since I opened my tutoring business I've been asking for receipts whenever I spend money, and on the taxi receipt we had the driver's name and identification number.

The following day, after my girlfriend went to the ministry of transportation and after to the police station where she was able to track down the driver and called him.  When most people heard that my lady left her phone in a taxi they told her it was as good as gone, but what do you know, the driver had the phone and happily returned it.  It was really great for me to see someone who did the right thing, when he could have easily sold the phone for some quick cash.  So often people take the less moral path, but luckily this guy turned out to be a good person.

As a biker rider I'm not the biggest fan of taxi drivers in Tel Aviv, but after this incident I'm slightly more understanding when they honk at me for crossing at a crosswalk and for riding in the street even though I have just as much of, if not more than a right to be on the street than they do.  Last week some lady repeatedly honked at me for riding on the street, and I argued with her about the fact that I have a right to be on the street and that the sidewalk is actually for pedestrians.  She didn't want to hear it, but it's the truth.

I've recently heard a few Olim say that they think everyone in Israel is a criminal and is looking to rip them off, and I want to tell you all that there are plenty of good people here.  This guy could have easily sold the phone and gotten a nice amount for it, but instead he did the right thing.  There are definitely plenty of cases that go the other way here, but for those of you frustrated with life in the big city (Tel Aviv that is), know that there are good people here and that not everybody is looking to rip you off.

How to not get Your Bike Stolen in Tel Aviv

Before I bought my bike a number of people warned me not to do it because it would probably get stolen, but I didn't listen.  I know it happens a lot, and I know that the police don't really care about helping people recover stolen bikes, but whatever; I love riding my bike, and I'm really happy that I invested in a good quality bike that I ride every day.  I'm still worried about my bike being stolen, but because of my worry I've taken a few simple steps to prevent such an event from happening.  I recommend that all of you avid riders to the same if you love your bike as much as I love mine.

1. Buy a good quality lock
Sure it'll be expensive and possibly bulky, but what's the alternative? Buying a cheap chain lock that any bolt cutter from any hardware store could cut through.  If you're worried about the price consider doing payments (tashlumim) or buying a lock abroad if you have the chance.  I'd recommend a Kryptonite lock, and in the states the run for about half the israeli retail price .  If the weight bothers you, or if you don't like the lock rattling around you can always buy a rack or basket to hold it while you ride.  Doesn't matter if it's a chain or a U-lock, just make sure it's a Kryptonite or another solidly made brand.

2. Always Keep an Eye Out
Whenever possible, I lock up my bike in a place where I can see it.  This way if anybody comes to try something I'll see right away and jump into action.  If you're at work and you have a window, lock your bike up in a spot that you can see from your window.  Get up every half hour or so and just take a quick peak to make sure everything is good.  Simple right?

3. Lock your Bike up to a Solid Pole
This is one of the more challenging steps, as I've heard a few horror stories about thieves cutting through poles to steal a bike, but if you follow my fourth tip I don't think you'll run into this problem.  Don't lock your bike up to a tree unless it's huge and can only be taken down by multiple men with chainsaws.  Smaller city tress can easily be cut or ripped out of the ground.  Same with a park bench and a street sign.  Your best bet is a rack specifically made for bikes like the u-posts in Tel Aviv, or to a thick street light post.  The street light posts have electricity running through them, plus their really thick so most thieves wouldn't try to cut through those (For this option you have to have a chain lock as a U-lock can't fit around these poles).  If a pole is rusted, short or skinny, skip it because the pole will be easier than your lock to cut through.

4. Never Leave your Bike out At Night
This is by far the most important of my four tips.  Most of the people who I've spoken to have had their bikes stolen at night.  Even if you have a tiny studio apartment and barely any room do whatever must to make room for your bike.  Buy hooks to hang from your ceiling and hang your bike up.  You may be able to get by with a shitty lock, a weak and far away lock-up spot, but in Tel Aviv leaving your bike out at night is a bad idea.  For all of you that have had your bikes stolen I'm sorry, but if you love biking buy another one and follow these four steps to make sure your bike doesn't get stolen again.

You can also invest in a GPS chip and hide it in your seat post, but I haven't done that yet. Plus even if you do locate the bike and the cops don't come then you have to go and confront some criminals by yourself.  Not fun as they're probably not going to willingly give you your bike back.

I lock my bike up exactly how the pic below shows, one the frame and back wheel.  Keep your bikes safe and keep riding!

Courtesy of Google Images

The Power of the Hamlatza (recommendation)

When I was in the states and wanted to buy a new electrical device, car, or make any other large purchase I would often consult the literature on such products such as consumer reports. Israelis operate in a completely different way. The so often make significant purchases purely on the recommendation of others.

Yesterday (now last week)I was reminded of this phenomenon when I was doing some work at a cafe and another patron stopped me before I left to ask me about the size of my computer screen. We got to talking and he began to ask me my advice on buying a new computer. After hearing what he wanted in a computer I advised him to buy an iMac because honestly if you have the money to buy from apple (and it seemed like the money wasn't any issue for this guy) why wouldn't you buy from apple? I also explained apple care to him (don't know if it exists in Israel, but I assume it's an international maintenance program for all apple products. If I wasn't typing this post on my phone at work I might actually find the answer haha) which he really liked. At the end of our conversation, which lasted maybe three minutes it seemed like he was sold on buying a Mac. 

It's amazing how this guy, who didn't know me prior to yesterday, took serious advice from me on making an important purchase. It's like he saw that I'm a well spoken guy who is passionate about Apple products and trusted my advice that it was sound. It felt nice to have someone trust what I told them in such a short period of time. Apple, if you're reading this and want to offer me a job I'm currently open to employment offers.

In any case, for any of you who don't know it yet, the person to person recommendation in Israel has a great amount of power. If you're in business or need to promote yourself or a product recognize this power and use it to your advantage as much as possible.  In my experience Israelis will more likely go off a friend or neighbor's recommendation than literature such as consumer reports.

Beach Day in March!

This past Saturday (now two Saturdays ago) I went to the beach, and went in the water.  It's March, and I went to the beach, sat in the sun, and went swimming.  Sometimes it's like I'm living in a resort town (I sort of am), and I love it. I remember that in the states I may have had two or three days a year of truly beautiful weather (75 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight breeze and no clouds in the sky), an I'd usually be working on those days. Here there are so many more gorgeous days, and I'll have to continue taking advantage of them as much as I can :-)

Speak Hebrew when Spoken to in Hebrew

One thing that frustrates every new Oleh who doesn't come to Israel speaking Hebrew is when Israelis hear an accent and immediately switch to English. It bothers Olim because we're making an effort to assimilate by speaking the language,  and it's like that effort isn't recognized and appreciated. For me it makes me feel like an outsider, although people more often respond to me in French because somewhere along the way I developed a French accent when I speak Hebrew. No explanation,although I'm sure my lady would love to take credit for her French influence.

Anyway, I recently took a job at a cupcake shop and cafe for some extra income, and I've had a number of anglo customers who come in and speak Hebrew with me. I know they're not Israelis based on their accents, and a few times I almost switched to English instinctively, but I stopped myself and remembered how I hate when Israelis do that to me. Bottom line, when someone attempts to speak to you in your native language, return the respect and respond to them in the same language. It'll make the person feel great, and it's guaranteed to give them more confidence with the foreign language.

Beware of the Taxis in TA

As an avid bicyclist you begin to notice certain trends of drivers and pedestrians, especially those who can be a potential hazard. I've been biking everywhere for the past seven months, and I've found that taxi drivers are by far the most dangerous drivers out there. They rarely yield at crosswalks, and often don't respect you if you're riding in the street. In the states it's illegal to honk at a biker, and in Israel it's a daily occurrence. Bottom line, be careful of the taxi drivers, whether you're a pedestrian or a biker.  They don't care about or respect you, and I've already had a handful of close calls.

Why is it all About the Money?

One thing that I can't stand in Israel is how the first question out of everyone's mouth is always about money. You get a new apartment, "How much are you paying?" You get a new job, "How much are you making?" You buy anything new, "How much did you pay?" And of course whatever you paid is too much, and whatever you're being paid is too little according to everyone.  At the beginning of my aliyah I didn't care, but lately it's really started to bother me.  If it comes from close family and friends I don't care, but when a complete stranger turns to me and asks me how much I paid for my bike I feel uncomfortable and judged.  Especially when you see the look on their face after which says, "Wow you got ripped off."

In reality most Israelis don't understand that there is such a thing as good quality, and that the saying "you get what you pay for" truly goes a long way.  Sure I paid more for my bike than the average person, but I know it's not one of the stolen bikes that the foreigners sell at the central bus station, and I also know that this bike will last me a very long time, if not my whole life if I take care good care of it and always lock it up.  I invested good money because I ride my bike every day, and with the exception of two flats over a four month period my bike has never failed me (knock on wood).  Same thing with furniture.  Why do Israeli's love Ikea? Because it's cheap.  1000 shekel for a complete bed, not bad right? Except your mattress is probably shit quality and hurts your back (first hand experience with that one).  Most people here don't understand the difference between good and bad quality, and they don't understand that what might save you a little money in the short run will cost you a lot more in the long run.

I think it's just the judgey attitude that comes along with the money questions the bothers me.  Like someone asks you how much rent you pay, and if it's more than what they pay they look at you differently.  Same thing with salary, or how much you spend on your clothes, or where you go out to eat.  I hate it because I feel like people prejudge you based on what you make and how much you pay before even getting to know you.  Money can do terrible things to people, but at the same time being rich doesn't always lead to greed, snobbery, and corruption.  I know that talking about money with complete strangers is part of the culture, but I truly wish it wasn't.  Money might make the world go round, but love, health and happiness are what make it worth being here.

It's been over a year, and I'm still in Israel.  Things are going well overall, but I must say, I can't believe all of the changes and adjustments that I've gone through in the past year, or even in the past month.  Some semblance of stability would be nice, but I know that once I find my steady career and make a place for myself here, I'll feel even more at home than I currently do.  I wanted to reflect on some of the funnier adjustments of moving to Israel.

Until recently I would not normally leave the house with sunglasses, and in the United States I'm pretty sure there were stretches of years on end where I didn't even own sunglasses, but now I never leave home without them.  In Philly it's so often overcast or rainy that I would only wear sunglasses at the beach, or in the car while driving.  I don't know if my lack of sunshine in the states made me develop a sensitivity, but in any case I now never leave home without my sunglasses.

That picture is a lot bigger than I thought.  Anyway, I'm trying to think what else has been a uniquely Israeli experience.  Oh yes, hardly anyone has a dryer.  In the states I grew up with, and always had a clothes dryer, where here a lot of people, including myself don't.  Because of the warm weather (with the exception of Jeru) most people hang their clothes out to dry year round.  I don't mind saving on the electric bill, but oh how I miss the smell and feeling of warm clothes coming out of the dryer.  I guess I could wash my clothes at a laundry mat, but that would defeat the purpose of buying a washing machine.  In any case, I'm excited for the days when the cost of my electricity bill will not be an expense to stop me from buying a dryer.

It's not that living here for a year has made me realize everything that I miss about my old life in the states, it's just that sometimes I have to laugh about the ways in which my life has changed since I moved here.  That and I haven't written for a while, and I've felt guilty about it.  Plus I haven't come up with any new year's resolutions yet which is uncharacteristic, but I'm taking my time on it.  Last year I accomplished all five, so I'm taking my time to think about new resolutions that I can accomplish.  I'm feeling some writer's block, so I'm going to stop before this turns to true rubbish.