About the Book

Border Crossings: American Interactions with Israelis, provides the first systematic analysis of American-Israeli cultural differences in commercial, bureaucratic, professional and social settings. Lucy Shahar and David Kurtz examine Israeli culture by contrast to American culture through numerous case studies, critical incidents, helpful analogies, and models that help make an often perplexing culture thoroughly accessible. Part one, "Setting the Scene," covers the fundamental aspects of the Israeli society and its people, including notes on the Israeli army, ethnic demographics, the Zionist movement, attitudes towards national affairs, first impressions, gender roles, and the Israeli Arab population. The authors discuss three dominant cultural traits in particular-improvisation, immediacy, and frankness. Part two, "American Encounters with Israelis," takes a look at direct American-Israeli interaction through real-life experiences of Americans in Israel. This section takes a practical approach to helping Americans understand and have greater success in their dealings with Israelis in all contexts, from the supermarket checkout line, to the hospital, office, or social gathering, with particular emphasis on Israeli-American workplace relationships. In addition, the authors offer a menu of coping strategies appropriate and effective in Israel. Several exercises enable readers to consider various options and to choose those most consistent with their personal style. Border Crossings is geared toward North Americans engaged in ongoing contacts with Israeli colleagues, clients or friends, as well as toward immigrants and sojourners.

Product Details

Media: Encrypted PDF (formerly Glassbook) Ebook

Publisher: Intercultural Press

EAN: EB9781931930543

Series: Not Applicable

Language: English

Edition: 2

• Categories: Israeli History Cultural Anthropology General Travel