ZGram - 8/6/2001 - "A bit off topic but telling of the times"

[Ingrid Rimland]

Copyright (c) 2001 - Ingrid A. Rimland

ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny

August 6, 2001

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

"A Traveler's Story" was written by an American attorney and long-time
supporter of our efforts.  He and his wife have had an experience they are
not likely to forget.  I have heard many similar tales.  I have no comments
to add.

 [START]

Apropos the reaction of people to Israelis in general I have a personal
story  to tell.

 My wife and I recently enjoyed a two week escorted bus tour of beautiful
Ireland. This is the height of the tourist season there and many buses
follow  similar routes, so one runs into other tour groups on the same
route from time  to time.

 At one stop, outside a shop, many tourists were enjoying an Irish music
and  dance group. Conspicuous in the audience were a group occupying many
benches.  There was little space. My wife asked a man if he could move his
sweater  aside on the bench so she could sit. I didn't hear it, but he
declined and  suggested she sit somewhere else (there were no other
places). When my wife  told me the story I observed the group more closely.
As a group they were conspicuously ugly and swaggering. I suspected their
nationality at the time.  From their dress and demeanor my guess is that
they had some military  connections, both men and women.  Anyway, we moved
on.

 At a later venue we met them again and I asked one of their members where
they were from. Israel. The man I spoke to was quite affable. He suggested
that the Jews and the Irish had much in common (which may be true in
certain  historic senses which I won't go into here) in that they had large
diaspora  populations. I avoided pointing out the differences (I was proud
of my  restraint!).

 Finally, at the end of the tour several bus-loads of tourists attended the
usual "singing pub" cabaret event. Not high culture, but pleasant Irish
music  and very good traditional dancing by four charming young lady
dancers were  the feature and were enthusiastically received by all the
groups (people from  the U.S., Scotland and England) - except one. You
guessed it. The Israelis.  They talked loudly among themselves in
conspicuous Hebrew during the entire  performance. I would characterize
their attitude as "in your face" rudeness  and contempt.  They did not
applaud the performers and exuded an angry  hostility. Most of them
sauntered out during the performance to the relief of  the other attendees.
Lest you think me too subjective, a fellow-tourist in  our group (a
teacher) whispered to me, "Why do they come to Ireland if it  makes them so
angry!".

 I have no idea why they had the attitude they exhibited. Ireland is the
friendliest of countries with warm people - but its culture is notably
Catholic, which may have something to do with it. Although they are
inundated  with tourists, they are still remarkable for their courtesy to
visitors  (naturally I am completely objective), not any easy thing for
people overrun  by tourists, as you may have noticed if you travel.

 I have heard from others that Israeli tourists are not welcome in many
places  because of their conduct - not politics. I got a graphic
illustration. I  recognize of course that all Israelis are not such boors
but it seems their  "success" is making them arrogant.

[END]

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 Thought for the Day:

 "Just face {it}, the Christian guilt is just about over- Isreal today is a
global and specifically ... an American and European liability."

 (Letter to the Zundelsite)