As I've mentioned before, riding public transit in Jerusalem is a bit of a sport characterized by buses that are often not on schedule, gridlocked traffic, standing room only, and crazy filter-like queues. Importantly, this style of queuing is not restricted to public transit, it's just how Israelis - Sabras those born here - queue. When it really matters that things happen in a more controlled manner, there are systems in place -- you take a number (from one of those red plastic things on the wall that are shaped like a 9), you write your name on a list (although in my experience from getting a RavKav the number and name systems quickly break down), or you are funnelled through metal rails (they have these at the central bus station, but the filter queue emerges when you pass through the terminal to the bus garage). It's just how you queue in Israel, more on why that might be later.
Here's a graphic of the difference in queuing styles:
I know, you are thinking that the shape of the Israeli queue makes no sense. Here, I would suggest that you are thinking like the rest of the NHL in the very early 1980s. The Edmonton Oilers, and No.99 specifically, would tell you that you are neglecting an important zone of play -- behind the net. Why can't you queue from in front of the bus?
Jerusalem has an LRT that started operating in early 2012. The LRT runs from Mt. Herzl in the west through the City Centre, down Jafo Rd, past the City Hall, the Old City, up Road No.1 and deep into East Jerusalem (yes, very curious - an LRT that connects a contested city). As with the installation of all LRTs, numerous bus routes were taken away, thus the LRT has a huge ridership. And, as most riders of light rail know it's no delight to try to get off the train when a mob of people trying to get on crowds the door. Sabra-style queuing results in mobs at the train doors all the time and it's pretty unpleasant.
So, imagine my surprise when at the train station at Ammunition Hill in May, I noticed that the LRT Authority had mounted a campaign to get Israelis to queue differently, to queue like I know how to queue. Here's a poster that can be found at each station showing how if you are boarding you need to stand aside and wait for passengers to exit the train.
And, helpfully (heehee), lines have been painted at each train stop to show you where to stand to effect this efficient queuing style.
I have to admit to laughing out loud at this campaign. Breaking Sabra queuing styles is going to take more than a passive campaign - Israelis approach rules as advisory. Sorta like "thanks for your suggestion, but I'm going to do it my way." It's that attitude that is credited with the strength and innovative success of the Start Up Nation. Every Israeli has an opinion and no one is going to be played as the fool. Only fools follow rules and get caught out on getting what they need because they did as they were told.
Where does this attitude come from? Well, it seems to be partly attributed to the history of the Jewish people, and partly to how it was in the early days in Israel. Immigrants flooding into pre-state or nascent Israel had hard lives -- there was little money and limited food. People recognized that they would have to look after themselves and acted accordingly. The culture that emerged created the Sabra (a prickly pear) -- an Israeli-born Jew -- who is prickly on the outside, but soft and sweet on the inside. Indeed, Israelis have told me that they are "obnoxious" -- a not untrue statement. Equally, you are unlikely to find a group of people who, once they've had a conversation with you, will be so warm and welcoming - inviting you to a meal at their home, helping you manage any number of quotidian activities, and generally looking out for you.
That's the thing about Sabra style-queuing, it may seem obnoxious, but it's almost always obvious that people's intention is not to cut you off, but rather to make sure they get their place. It took me a while to understand that having grown up in a place where someone acting like a Sabra, flouting the rules, would quickly be labelled as more than obnoxious.
Here's a graphic of the difference in queuing styles:
Jerusalem has an LRT that started operating in early 2012. The LRT runs from Mt. Herzl in the west through the City Centre, down Jafo Rd, past the City Hall, the Old City, up Road No.1 and deep into East Jerusalem (yes, very curious - an LRT that connects a contested city). As with the installation of all LRTs, numerous bus routes were taken away, thus the LRT has a huge ridership. And, as most riders of light rail know it's no delight to try to get off the train when a mob of people trying to get on crowds the door. Sabra-style queuing results in mobs at the train doors all the time and it's pretty unpleasant.
So, imagine my surprise when at the train station at Ammunition Hill in May, I noticed that the LRT Authority had mounted a campaign to get Israelis to queue differently, to queue like I know how to queue. Here's a poster that can be found at each station showing how if you are boarding you need to stand aside and wait for passengers to exit the train.
 |
| How to queue |
 |
| No, the other arrow |
I have to admit to laughing out loud at this campaign. Breaking Sabra queuing styles is going to take more than a passive campaign - Israelis approach rules as advisory. Sorta like "thanks for your suggestion, but I'm going to do it my way." It's that attitude that is credited with the strength and innovative success of the Start Up Nation. Every Israeli has an opinion and no one is going to be played as the fool. Only fools follow rules and get caught out on getting what they need because they did as they were told.
Where does this attitude come from? Well, it seems to be partly attributed to the history of the Jewish people, and partly to how it was in the early days in Israel. Immigrants flooding into pre-state or nascent Israel had hard lives -- there was little money and limited food. People recognized that they would have to look after themselves and acted accordingly. The culture that emerged created the Sabra (a prickly pear) -- an Israeli-born Jew -- who is prickly on the outside, but soft and sweet on the inside. Indeed, Israelis have told me that they are "obnoxious" -- a not untrue statement. Equally, you are unlikely to find a group of people who, once they've had a conversation with you, will be so warm and welcoming - inviting you to a meal at their home, helping you manage any number of quotidian activities, and generally looking out for you.
That's the thing about Sabra style-queuing, it may seem obnoxious, but it's almost always obvious that people's intention is not to cut you off, but rather to make sure they get their place. It took me a while to understand that having grown up in a place where someone acting like a Sabra, flouting the rules, would quickly be labelled as more than obnoxious.
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