Being Ninet Tayeb

A couple of days ago, my friend Mayorca, her sister Pillar and I went to see a concert of Ninet Tayeb. Ninet Tayeb won the first season of the Israeli "Pop Idol" and practically became one. Since her win, four years ago, her popularity among diversify audience, including people of different ages, background and music taste, has not faded, not even slightly.

When the concert was over we headed our car. Still inspired by what we have just seen we sang the encore song to ourselves and started a chat about Ninet, providing our critique on the concert with the addition of a few personal notes. While talking we noticed that at the darkness of the car not far from us set Ninet, probably waiting for her crew to get done with the stage before they can move on. Although we did not say anything negative I felt slightly embarrassed.

I wonder how it feels to be exposed to the critique of hundreds of thousands, or even millions, feeling pretty comfortable to express their opinion on matters they really know nothing about (just like us on the personal life of Ninet). Don’t get me wrong here, I do believe that providing our critiques on the concert is fair, relevant and probably interesting for Ninet, however a comment about the personal life is another issue. Many people will say that when Ninet chosen to be popular she accepted the “side effect” of people browsing her life. I believe it is true to certain extend, but sometime I believe that “the public” abuse this excuse, allowing itself to cross the border between legitimate interest and shallow gossip. In our conversation after the concert I don’t think we crossed this border, but I wonder how Ninet felt when she heard us making comments on her personal life. If I were her I would not like it probably, to say the least.

Ninet’s site on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/tayebninet

Tel Aviv, Israel

Are you being frank or rude?

Sometimes I feel that we don't know the difference between being frank and being rude, and between being polite and being hypocrite. It is a fine line, but while I view frankness and politeness positively, I view rudeness and hypocrisy negatively.

You show up at office with the shirt you bought over the weekend. You obviously believe it is a nice shirt, otherwise you wouldn't buy it. For the purpose of this sample let's assume that your next desk colleague, Dan, doesn't like your shirt.

Option #1: Dan voluntarily says he doesn't like your shirt. Dan is being rude.
Option #2: You ask Dan if he likes your shirt, Dan says "no". Dan is being frank.
Option #3: You ask Dan if he likes your shirt, Dan says "yes". Dan is being hypocrite.
Option #4: You ask Dan if he likes your shirt, Dan says that it is not his style, but he sees why others could like it. Dan is being polite.

Here is a rule that may help: if you don't have anything good to say, better to shut up, unless you were asked for your opinion.

Tel Aviv, Israel

The Internet Generation

As part of my work I travel the world pretty often. With the Internet being a commodity in every business hotel, I find Skype to be a cheap, easy and visual way to keep in touch with home. My 3.5 years old niece is used to these video chats with me from a very early age. When I call over the phone she insists on "talking with the computer". Today on my way home from work I called my sister and asked to speak with my niece. My niece was disapproved by my disability to talk with the computer while driving, but agreed to try the telephone when I promised to tell her something exciting. I told her that my husband Ploni was at the dentist, news she found exiting indeed. Exploring the exiting news she was trying to locate the source of pain. "Which tooth hearts, this one?" she asked, I obviously didn't know which tooth she was pointing. "Tell me which tooth is that?" I replied, but my niece, again disapproved by the lack of visuals, simply left the phone and went. "Hello? hello?"

Tel Aviv, Israel

Sunset Party

Today I attended a cocktail party of a leading venture capital firm in Israel. The party took place at the old port of Tel Aviv, in front of a beautiful sunset, so I've been told, as I arrived a bit late, just after the sun sunk into the Mediterranean Sea. Out of about 80 people attended this party we were only four girls. Why is that? Gladly I must say that my friend Mayorca and I weren't the only to think it is a bit awkward. A few people approached us saying that "we should see more women in these events". Question: what are we going to do about that? When I was in 7th grade two hours a week were dedicated in school for electronics and household classes. These classes were given concurrently: boys took electronics while girls cooked in household classes. When I asked my teacher to transmit from household to electronics I was denied. Is it possible that it started there? it is. I hope they don't do it anymore today.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Introduction

I live in Israel but don't like politics. It happens. I live and work in Tel Aviv, THE metropolis of Israel and one of the greatest cities in the world. I work for a hi-tech company. In Hebrew it is considered a success.

Tel Aviv, Israel