The circus that is shopping in Israel

First off,  shopping in Israel is much different than in the US.  Its appropriate that I have made this observation, as I have a serious love for any type of shopping .  Correction: I used to have a serious love for any type of shopping.

This is our post shopping face. 

Those days are gone.  Atleast while I am in Israel.  Not because I can't shop, but frankly- I don't want to.  I know you are probably waiting for a prolific and inspiring statement of how I no longer care about the materialistic things and how Israel has changed my very being- but that isn't coming.  Sorry to let you down.  I will always love the sale racks, the new throw pillows in Target's fall line that I just can't live without, the seriously amazing deal on the newest my little ponies...but shopping here is a HOT MESS.

Allow me to explain.

line is out of control- 7-8 people deep

Case 1: the price.  Everything in Israel has ridiculous prices.  Toys and clothes are a good 3x+ more than what they cost in the US.  Ledoux wanted this little shopkins toy at the toy store, and back home they are usually $15-$20.  Here in Israel? Easily $50.00.  We told her for her birthday last week we would take her to Toys R Us and let her pick out whatever she wanted: big mistake.  She chose this dinky little stuffed pony that neighs and walks on a leash- and it was $60 USD.  For a freaking toy pony.  Of course, we couldn't say no- it was her birthday and we promised, but good lord. Out. Of. Control. (the only thing normal priced, or cheaper, is produce.)

Madhouse.

Case 2: Patience is a virtue, right?  Say you dare to pay the crazy prices- i hope you go equipped with patience.  And a lot of it.  Because in Israel, no one gives a crap about your timeline.  Lines are long and S-L-O-W. The clerks could really care less about rushing through anything (or even being timely).  You don't want to wait? Shalom and see you later! Come back another time.  The nice thing is almost all the stores have either a place to leave the kids to play (which they call a gymboree) or have a little mini park.  As a mom I think "oh thats so nice of them to think of the sweet children" but in reality, its because they know your kid is going to have a meltdown in the store and they'd prefer you you to just leave the kids or leave the store, let them play, and try again later.

grocery store play area

Case 3: Parking.  Close your eyes and envision the worst Walmart parking lot you have ever been in.  Now triple that.  Welcome to parking in Israel.  In the same sense that no one cares about your timeline in the above example, they also could care less about parking.  They will cut you off, go the wrong way, park on curbs, take up multiple spots, block you in, or park 1 inch from your bumper.  If you get anxiety parking anywhere, don't bother in Israel.  It will push you over the edge.  (Luckily Lee things this is a fun game to play, and he doesn't mind encompassing these traits of the locals- so I just let him drive me.)

Case 4: Shopping on Friday.  Forget about it.  Seriously, just starve.  Friday evening starts Shabbat- the country's day or rest that continues through Saturday evening.  Almost everything closes- so if you need to "run" to the store and grab something, plan for a couple hours, plus traffic.  You know how grocery stores are right before Thanksgiving and everything is sold out or the store lines are so long and chaotic?  Welcome to Friday shopping.  Every Friday.  The few stores that are open- let me just say- aren't worth the frustration of going.  And if you have to go? Have a road beer to take the edge off before you enter the lion's den.

Bagging our groceries like a local

Our motto: hurry up and wait

Case 5: Convenience.  If I haven't already completely turned you off to the idea of shopping, let me put the last 2 nails in the coffin now. Planning on shopping enough to need a cart? Hope you brought money. Yep, they charge you to "rent" the shopping carts.  About $1 USD to rent a cart.  Oh, and if you think someone is going to bag all your groceries in that cart once you pay- jokes on you homie.  Not.  Gonna.  Happen.  Hope you were a bag-boy or bag-girl back in high school, because you are going to need those sweet bagging skills.  They do not bag ANYTHING for you.  So between the chaos of the grocery store in general, unloading your cart, paying, and wrangling your kid- you also get to bag everything.  While the other 20 people in line wait for you to move out of the way.  (Cue the anxiety right now).

There you have it friends, modern day shopping in Israel.  We are going to head to the Shuks (outdoor farmers markets meet flea markets) and will do a Shopping in Israel part 2 soon :)