The Noisy Israeli: Shouting and Screaming In Daily Life

If you just got to Israel, your first big surprise may be shouting and screaming on the street. Yet, Israelis seem to feel perfectly fine in carrying a conversation in excited high volume levels, and bordering on the violent. Sometimes you may see two perfectly normal adults screaming at each other as if they are ready to duke it out, just to turn completely calm minutes later. The ability to “take it” and “dish it out”, accept screaming and scream back, is something that most foreigners never gain. It is also something that separates some Israelis from others. This conduct is not for everyone. There are plenty of native Israelis who choose not to partake in this practice. Yet, there is still plenty to go around, so keep your ears (and eyes) open and be careful not to take it personally.

 

For some reason, it seems like in some roles (either professions or job functions) is more acceptable in high-volume shouting style. In these jobs, shouting is more acceptable, and some even demand the behavior. I just passed a construction site, repairs to a street and sidewalk in a busy intersection between Ramat Gan and Givatay'im. While the sidewalk is torn apart, workers are busy finishing laying bricks and setting light poles. Some are sitting around eating their lunch or just watching others. Apparently, the site manager was not there and a city inspector happen to check on the work. The inspector, a 30-something professionally dressed man (collared shirt and cleanly pressed pants). But what a surprise, he was busy screaming about the missing site manager to someone on the phone. The strange thing was how calm the workers just inches away were reacting, to this seemingly violent outburst. I assume that in the construction sector this kind of communication style was acceptable and maybe even welcome. Just to see what will happen, I waited nearby. After screaming at the top of his lungs for a few minutes, the man finished and turned completely calm and composed. He went from full blown screaming, with crackling throaty voice, to normal tone. The workers around him, asked a few questions here and there, and he left looking perfectly satisfied.

 

I presume that in the roles of managing tradesman and blue collar workers, managers with high-volume screaming style is more acceptable than in white collar office jobs. Yet, at a medical clinic, I saw a patient screaming at an administrator, just to see a physician pop his head out to scream back at the patient to take the administrator's side. A similar situation occurred in the bank just a few weeks ago. With a long line of irate customers, waiting for an hour to reach the counters, a customer was complaining about the line, the way it was organized (some people were “jumping” their turn) and in general the bad service at exorbitant fees. Just to have a bank vice president show up behind the counters, first speaking calmly and then joining the tone of the customer in a quick, yet violent exchange. It seems like in this bank, the counter staff are calm and controlled enough not to “dish it out” back at customers. Although, in a previous instance, I saw a young counter worker, a nice and quiet women, completely break down to tears when a customer came up and started screaming at her. The same service vice president took the worker to his office and left the customer screaming at empty space for a few seconds. Then sent another worker to finish the transaction. So the rules of engagements can be fluid... I guess.

to be continued...