There’s no more ‘after the holiday’

October 22, 2008 - 10:00 AM by

closed_sign.gifThe sounds of people taking down their succot is in the air, the month-long holiday season is over, and there’s no more excuses.

It’s virtually impossible to get anything done here in the weeks leading up to Rosh Hashana through the end of Succot. ‘Aharei Hachagim’ (after the holidays) has become a catchphrase that’s both made fun of and used constantly – by the same people. There’s no way to avoid saying it, even as you realize what a cliché it is.

Whether being fooled by the unpredictable – or basically non-existent – schedules for opening hours of banks, post offices, and government offices, trying to contact subjects for interviews, setting up parent-teacher meetings, or even worse, if you’re trying to do something life important, like buying or selling a house, the past month has been one cruel joke on anyone with an ounce of efficiency in their blood.

The country basically runs on auto pilot. I’m sure even in the IDF, there are signs posted on the doors outside senior military briefings about Iran saying ‘Convening after the holidays’. The only people who actually seemed to be doing anything were the rioters in Acre, and they probably weren’t upset at that Arab Yom Kippur driver, but because the Lotto lottery stands were closed so much.

But now, everything’s changed, and all the chips are being cashed. For all of the plumbers, lawyers, gardeners (alright, they’ve been saying ‘after shmita’ instead for a whole year), and a whole slew of other deadbeats who have pulled that line on me this past month, I expect you here at noon time today. We have work to do.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , • Category: A New Reality, Business, General, Holidays, Israeliness, Life 

Comments

3 Comments on There’s no more ‘after the holiday’

  1. harry on Wed, Oct 22nd 2008 10:37 AM

    2. Thank goodness they are all over. I feel like I’ve been marching in place for the past two weeks. Driving me mad.

  2. Nicky on Wed, Oct 22nd 2008 11:19 AM

    3. I never thought I would be so glad to see the holiday period end!
    This year was worst than most because every holiday landed smack bang in the middle of the week.
    I’d be fascinated to see what Israel’s productivity for this month was…

    Friends in high tech told me that after the New Year and Yom Kippur holidays they were just too embarrassed to tell people abroad there were more holidays, and ended up replying to mails as usual throughout Succot.

  3. Scossishhoask on Wed, Nov 19th 2008 3:08 PM

    4. Reason why is great to be a gay ;)
    You never feel compelled to stop a pal from getting laid. It was joke ^_^

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