Meeting someone for 1st time....

Isabel

I am meeting an Israeli couple this weekend. They are the parents of the young woman who is going to be my daughter’s college roomate. The young woman is wonderful. ( they are immigrants ).

She told my daughter that her parents are nervous to meet me since English is not their first language.

I want to put them at ease and decided to learn a few short Hebrew phrases.

It’s not starting off well. LOL

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4 years ago

Off Topic

17 replies

Latest reply was from RoseandJoan

Sloper

Veteran

I'm sure it will be fine. Will both daughters be there? That will help break the ice!

Meanwhile, here are some transliterated Hebrew phrases, which includes a download link for more. I know some of them are not quite what you need for this type of meeting.

https://www.teachmehebrew.com/.....rases.html

It's kind of you to learn some phrases!

4 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Lol! I think there are other sites that will work. Hopefully Shevia will see this and chime in.
First, Israel is in terrible turmoil and everyone I know living there or from there is worried and not sleeping. It might be kind to ask if your meeting is a welcome distraction or if they would prefer to reschedule (if that is an option).

In my experience most Israelis understand English, and speak some. I might check with the roommate. Shalom is hello, goodbye, and peace.
Good luck!

4 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I see Sloper has some helpful links - which I just saw after posting. How nice that you are meeting.

4 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

That's really sweet of you to want to put them at ease. I'm sure it will go well!

4 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Oh my, that *is* funny!
They immigrated from Israel to the US? I’d be fascinated and want to hear all about it, but don’t advise you to pose any questions in that direction at all—a simple remark can provide an opening for them to tell more if they want to without putting them on the spot over what may have been a difficult or very personal decision.

4 years ago

Anonymous

Would you consider using Duolingo app to learn a bit? They have a free version, though it's full of ads.

4 years ago

kkards

Veteran

LOL, honestly most of the Israelis I’ve met speak English better than i do.
I think if you start with Shalom it will go a long way.

4 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Hit the sound button (over and over) ... that will help a little... I like Pimsleur.

4 years ago

Sisi

Veteran

When I was in the States I noticed that I understood some people well while with others I had big difficulties. Probably it depends upon the various accents. It will be nice to be able to say a few essential words in Hebrew (hello, nice to meet you) but I also suggest you to try to speak English slowlier than usual and in a clear way. Relax, everything will go well!

4 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Thank you so much everyone ! You're so helpful and kind.

Sloper, I cannot thank you enough for that link ! I'm ( hopefully ) going to learn at least couple of phrases by this weekend.

Barbara Diane, and THAT'S what has me a little nervous. Both sides of their entire family is there. I feel callous not acknowledging it . So I'm thinking of just asking how everyone is doing there and wishing them my best. And then moving on. And I agree, they will probably speak better than most of us...plus, I told their daughter to tell them that English isn't my first language either.

Thank you Chewy, that's so kind of you

FI, I have to feel it out and give them a wide berth to maneuver.

Suntiger, I cannot believe that I forget about Duo Lingo ! I have used it a love it . Thanks.

KKards, I suspect you are on the money with that. And I will bet they know to say "ESPRESSO" and not "expresso" hahahahahahaha....that's a rabbit hole I don't want to go down....

Rachy, it was sooooo privileged of me to actually think that if I just looked it up, it would be phonetically spelled out in the alphabet we use here. What was wrong with me ?????? Yes ! Keep hitting the button

Sisi, you cannot imagine how helpful that is ! Not only do I have a slight Boston accent but I tend to speak very quickly. I didn't even think of that til you mentioned it. I had that problem in Montreal and Quebec with French. It was so different than the Parisian French that I learned. I totally forgot about that.

4 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I’m sure your meeting will be just fine. You’re not trying to solve the Mid East crisis, just getting your kids to meet. Whether you love them or don’t, it doesn’t matter because it’s not about you, it’s about your kids. And even if language is an issue, your daughter’s roommate can translate. Learning a few phrases might show kindness.

We met a bunch of parents the night before our son was to move into the dorm in his freshman year. No one had roommates, but meeting the parents was fascinating to me. We live in the western US, and everyone else was from the Northeast. It was like we were from different countries. I felt like a Sociologist studying a different culture. I really enjoyed it.

4 years ago

Anonymous

That reminds me of the time I had a client from Dominican Republic. I was only catching about a third of what she was saying, cause I nearly always have Spanish speakers from Central America! Meanwhile I'm thinking "I should understand this...".

4 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

JAileen, I am not trying to solve the Middle East Crisis. I'm not sure how you got that impression. I stated that this young woman asked my daughter to bring it up to me. I'd say that centers on the girls. And you are correct, trying to learn a small bit in someone's language is not about me, it's about them and their daughter. It's a courtesy to them centered on them. That's the point. I wrote nothing about whether or not this was about determining their appeal to me. It's not. It's wonderful that you enjoyed meeting people. If some of those people came from a state that was going through immense hardship and their families were there, would you just ignore it ? As a human being, I feel weird doing that. Of course I don't want to discuss the geography of politics. I thought I had made that clear....this is a bunch of people sitting down to meet and hoping to make each other feel welcome. Period.

Suntiger , yes ! great example. I also speak some Spanish. But it's mostly Castilian and there are certain Spanish speaking countries that I have a hard time with.....it's actually all so interesting. Heck, I am portuguese, I have have trouble with Brazilian Portuguese depending on the area of Brazil ! LOL

4 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

Isabel, I’m sorry if you thought I was being snide or something. I did not mean that.

4 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

JAileen, that is so kind.

I am the one who is sorry for not only misunderstanding but for not asking you for clarification first. : )

I jumped the gun. Please accept my apology JAilene.

4 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh wow. As mentioned by Barbara Diane above, most Israelis speak a reasonable amount of English or more. You could say hi, ma-neesh-ma (how are things, a bit more casual and common than a more formal greeting) and go on in English and it will be fine.
Regarding the situation here, sigh. I would just say I hope all your friends and family are well and let them give you the lead if they want to discuss it at all or not. We are very sad and nervous, but need to distract myself sometimes. Which is why I am here right now.

4 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Hi Isabel, I'm late to the thread but wished to ask how the meeting went?

4 years ago

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