Somewhere along the line, either the Scottish tourist industry or Israeli geography teachers have failed, big time. That’s got to be the explanation for intelligent, educated Israelis repeatedly – I’ll say that again – repeatedly – confusing Scotland with Ireland.
Some recent personal conversations illustrate the phenomena:
Sabra: “You’re from Ireland, aren’t you?”
Me: “No, I bloody well am not.”
Hey, I was restrained.
Or this:
Sabra: “Glasgow. That’s in Ireland, isn’t it?”
Me: “No…”
I’ve edited out the swear words.
Or this cracker:
Sabra: “I have a friend who is booking to go on holiday later this year to Ireland. I told him to speak to you so you could tell him where to go.”
I’ll tell him where to go, alright.
Bloody hell. I know from other Scottish olim that mine is not a unique torture experience. Bizarre. Maybe that’s why we were sent to Israel – to top up the well of knowledge about the world. And especially about Scotland…