Forum Topic

Clare's "charming Israeli" exists and is letting the Albion

Our erstwhile esteemed editor once wrote about the Albion redevelopment and said it was being done by a "charming Israeli". At the time it seemed unlikely as there aren't a lot of them about.But today he gave us a guided tour of the three not-yet-let flats and the restaurant shell...and he's perfectly charming, as is the accommodation!He seems to have a lot of interest in letting both the residential and restaurant so here's hoping for there being something good starting up in the premises soon.

Sara Nathan ● 5526d13 Comments

Judging people on their race before you've even met them is never a good look, Sara.Glad the inside is as nice as the outside - I think he's done a realy good job.

Sarah Harris ● 5526d

I don't think Sara would ever judge anyone of any race before meeting them. I'm certain she had her tongue firmly in her cheek and that no offence would be taken by Israelis, especially the charming ones.

Clare Gittins ● 5526d

Even the my husband's Israeli cousins would probably agree!Israelis joke about their lack of charm all the time - quite proud of it in a "don't mess with me" way.Anyhow he says he didn't take an Uzi to the heroin-toting squatters - which I suppose is a relief - merely took away all the interior walls. It was very effective.

Sara Nathan ● 5526d

Actually I am appalled by Sara's comments.  Being Jewish or even related to Israelis does not excuse that and I would have expected better from Sara.  There was nothing to say it was tongue in cheek.

Anne Brown ● 5520d

As a regular visitor to Israel, I suspect Sara's comment was entirely tongue in cheek. Israelis are not known for their charm. The government has attempted to launch several 'charm offensives' to boost tourism but Israelis stubbornly refuse to play ball. It is said that Israelis have a prickly exterior but a soft interior and if you are taken ill in the street in Tel Aviv, everyone will gather round to help. Complete strangers sitting next to you on the bus will show you their X rays. It is just a different sort of place.

Jillian Stern ● 5520d

Nice to see those with a sense of humour bypass are still posting on here!

Colin Carroll ● 5520d

Whilst on a recent vist - my experience was that they do not smile much.  But I suppose they have to be in such a volatile part of the world.

Dee Cook ● 5520d

So if I made general comments about Irish (being stupid), Poles (being lazy), Arabs (being rapists/mysoginists), black people (being lawless), priests (being paedophiles)that's funny?  Oh, OK then.  By the way, I'm Jewish, been to Israel and experienced all aspects of Israeli behaviour.  The problem with "in jokes" is that it's OK to tell them in the right company, but when you are posting on a general forum, not everybody is in the clique, if you know what I mean.

Anne Brown ● 5518d

Anne, where did you get those generalisations from?  I know Sara and the last thing she is is racist.  What a hoot.  Would you say it was a fair comment to say the Brits are known for their stiff upper lip?  If so, is that racist or offensive?I know an Israeli who would delight in the description Sara gave and agree, for them, it's true.

Angela White ● 5518d

Angela, I got those generalisatins from the same train of thought that describes Israelis as "charming" in inverted commas.  Putting inverted commas round descriptions means you are implying  the opposite. We no longer use the nasty generalisations I mentioned, but they certainly used to be, especially in the 1970s.  Indeed I thought that most intelligent people did not generalise about any particular race or ethnic group any more.  Why on earth I find myself defending Israelis, I have no idea, but there you go!

Anne Brown ● 5518d

"Indeed I thought that most intelligent people did not generalise about any particular race or ethnic group any more. "I disagree. Usually stereotypes and generalisations have at least a grain of truth in them, but most people are able to see them for what they are."Intelligent people" are able to observe, with affection, that different races and cultures DO tend to share certain identifiable traits in terms of style or temperament. That this is so is a vital and wonderful thing."Intelligent people" recognise that the world is not merely beige. I will continue to refer to my own tribe as maddeningly disorganised, linguistically gifted, poetically dysfunctional and frequently pissed.

Clare Mulvany ● 5517d

I really hate to say this, but.......I agree with Colin Carroll.  Heaven forbid and I hope it doesn't ruin your reputation Colin.  Wouldn't want to damage your street cred.  :-)

Angela White ● 5517d

Yeah because I'm sure Colin Carrol's reaction would have been exactly the same if someone had made what is clearly a racist remark about Palestinians.

Hayes Thompson ● 5512d