Maybe Israelis Should Just Shut Up Sometimes?

October 28, 2006 - 1:06 PM by

That’s what this Ha’aretz article suggests. Around these parts, silence isn’t just golden, it’s a completely rare commodity. And maybe that’s not such a good thing.

There’s not much quiet in Israel. Like some mass sport, people talk endlessly, express opinions, give interviews, argue, react, analyze and then rehash it all in Friday evening get-togethers. Silence is golden? Even a fool, if he keeps quiet, is deemed wise? Silence, please? No one has heard of this in these parts – and everyone has plenty to say about that, too.

Could it be that something deeper is going on? That endless chatter is only a symptom of a repressed national urge to pour out the heart? Even if this is the correct diagnosis, however, there’s no reason not to pause occasionally. Silence can be a gold mine – if not for your mouth, then for others’ ears. Since the dawn of history silence has been profitable, intriguing, mysterious, even sexy. On the other hand, it also has a darker side, which only makes it all the more fascinating.

You can read it all, but I’m warning you that it’s quite a long article. Rather ironic that there is so much to say about keeping quiet….!

Tags: • Category: Israeliness 

Comments

5 Comments on Maybe Israelis Should Just Shut Up Sometimes?

  1. David on Sun, Oct 29th 2006 2:56 AM

    2. I think adopting British reserve and stiff upper lip would NOT go amiss in Israel [and the United States].

    “Expressing oneself” and the needy emotion of airing dirty laundry or secrets in public is both pathetic and annoying.

    There ought to be a national “Shut UP! day.

    What happened to the quiet strength of the chalutzim??

    Whats next? Men having manicures and wearing make-up?

  2. Idan Gazit on Sun, Oct 29th 2006 9:54 AM

    3. Why, David! I didn’t know you had such issues with men wearing makeup?

    A modicum of civility, reserve, quiet — these are welcome things that have nothing to do with men getting manicures or wearing makeup, even if it offends your delicate homophobic sensibilities.

  3. Tif on Sun, Oct 29th 2006 3:53 PM

    4. David, for a guy who’s so against self expression, you sure seem to feel a need to have *your* voice heard. Have you thought about perhaps keeping your own stiff upper lip and not sharing your brilliant comments on every single post? Or is the wisdom you offer exempt from the general pathetic-ness you speak of?

    And what the hell does silence have to do with manicures and make-up, whether worn by men, women, or even creeps such as yourself?

  4. Jacob Reisenfern on Sun, Oct 29th 2006 7:39 PM

    5. The responses so far remind me of the joke about the trappist monks who waited 10 years to say something, and all they could do was complain.

    I think the resson the article had to be so long was is a hard concept to sell. People seem to go out of their way to avoid silence. TV’s are left on continously, people look for other people to talk to (but not listen to, Gd forbid!) and to interact in the noisest ways possible.

    And silence is hard to mainteain. YOu go to service, which is hte hardest part of the whole deal? The silent contemplation part, which usually lasts no more that 45 seconds but seems to last a month.

    So I am not convinced that silence is golden. A hearty laugh, a sexy giggle, a joyful song are all golden. Silence is arid and dark.

  5. David on Wed, Nov 1st 2006 2:10 AM

    6. I am not against self-expression, I disapprove of the ridiculous.

    Now I may not be a metrosexual, but men putting on make-up in the morning and going for manicures and so on is a most UNIsraeli thing and it disgusts me.

    Whats next? Getting a letter from “Daddy or Mommy” and handing it to the sergent during boot camp declaring that they should not offend sensibilities?

    I am also not homophobic. If other men want to kiss each other or hug each other or marry each other thats fine with me.

    Personally, I feel uncomfortable when another man sits next to me on the bus rather than next to a woman. So definitely hugging is OUT! K?!

    I like my role as a heterosexual man and leave all the sissy stuff for women.

    Anyone for rugby?

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