My Friend is a Palestinian Bedouin: XIV. Meals and Other Celebrations
The situation in Israel as regarding the particulars of weddings rather depends on the specific socio-cultural environment. In most social circles in Israel, a marriage is something primarily between two individuals; though in the ultra-orthodox community it is often arranged. Israeli weddings tend to have a few hundred guests, usually at one large happening. Jewish Israeli weddings in almost all circles include a religious ceremony, an abundance of food, and dancing.
My experience of “Meals and Other Celebrations”
I needed to learn how to eat in the Bedouin way with one’s hands, while using bread to “catch” other pieces of food. This in the beginning felt weird, but the food itself I much appreciated. As for celebrations, I greatly enjoyed the collective Bedouin style. I would look forward to attending the next festivity, and participate in many of its activities, including Bedouin style dancing. Neither Bashar, nor his Bedouin friends, would think of birthdays; not even their own. Therefore, I would remind them. I was much aware of Bashar’s lack of ease with Western ways of conduct around meals and celebrations, with Western etiquette. When other Europeans, Northern Americans or Israelis were involved, this put me at times in an uncomfortable position, feeling myself responsible to solve the discrepancies.
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