I really like buying groceries here. It is a challenge and a force upon me to read my Hebrew. Some products have a single word in English as your confirmation of what you are purchasing. If there is no English word, but you can read Hebrew, they sometimes have words in transliteration and simply pronouncing the word you see Hebrew is actually the English pronounciation.

Most products are packaged the same, which is a great help, but some are not, or they are catagorized differently. The store we use here keeps margerine and butter in two different places, so reading is important, when I want butter only.

Milk is sold in smaller portions as most all dairy here, and limited in choices. Interestingly, some milk comes in a bag. I was not sure how that would be handled, but as a guest in another's home, I saw that the bag is set inside a pitcher for stability, and then poured out. I am sure there are plenty who pour it into their own pitchers at home.

I also watch people there as to try to determine why they flock around these eggs, and not those. Most often it is lost on me, unless maybe there is a price issue.

I do not bother with baskets, and you have to deposit monies to get one (like the airport for a luggage rack-except Israel airport luggage racks are free...). They have plastic bags, plenty, but more than half of the people have their own bags and many have roll around cart bags.

At the lines, it is most interesting. Those who do not like to be touched or crowded would be in trouble or have to leave the food behind. The lines are tight, and you step around the checker to continue to pay and sack your goods. Not only is your line tight, but you are physically against the line next to you. To squeeze through is a physical feat. Squeeze or be squeezed.

I usually do not know my change well enough, and I hand over the correct cash, but hold out a hand of coins for the remainder. Always, the money is taken from my hand, coin by coin, counted specifically for my benefit, and then that which is taken is shown to me again for verification. I appreciate the honesty.

While my purse is checked and others their bags, etc going in, our receipts are briefly checked leaving. Then we definately look like all the rest. Carry bags, everyone always carrying bags on to our destination.

Speaking of bags, my smaller purse may be the one thing giving me away. Everyone carries large bags, to carry what they have, or to take on what they will acquire. Small bags are nothing more than an accessory for a special evening.