The Cultural Differences Between America and Israel

I moved to America 10 years ago from Israel but to this day, I am able to see the many cultural differences regarding negotiation, formality, and most noticeably, the driving in these two countries.

Over the years, I have seen how the American culture has a way with words and, for the most part, respects what another person says. In Israel, at the shuk (the market) Israelis argue over the price of an item. This is not customary in America but isn’t rare in Israel. Shoppers at the shuk negotiate to have the price of an item lowered and typically raise their voices and show signs anger or frustration. The modus operandi in Israeli can be seen as being unafraid to negotiate with anyone. American culture does not negotiate prices and accepts the stated costs at face value.

Another difference on a day-to-day basis, is that the culture in America is very planned and formal. Dates and times are set in advance and there is less spontaneity. Meanwhile in Israel, plans can be made very last minute. Americans speak and interact much more formally when compared to Israeli's easy going interactions. The Israeli culture is not very formal and does not have a built structure like in American. This difference in communication can sometimes create misconceptions about one another. For example, Americans may think that the Israeli conversations are rude, chaotic, and ill mannered. While Israelis may think that American conversations are artificial and unfriendly. The difference in formality between the cultures creates stereotypes which are not always true.

The next major cultural difference between America and Israel is one which I can guarantee anyone who has driven in both Israel and America has noticed: The Driving. Drivers in America are much more mannered and law abiding, while the drivers in Israel do not always obey the law and frequently cut each other off. Israelis drive with aggression and have less patience for each other, and people fight over parking spots and honk loudly and often. But it is very important to remember that not everybody is the same and there are good and bad people (and drivers) in both counties.

The cultural differences between America and Israel are numerous but not one is better then the other.  Both countries have differences between negotiations, formality, and driving which set them apart from each other.