I realize my previous posting is pretty negative and so plenty of follow-up and nuance is needed. My intention is certainly not to imply all 20-some things in Israel are bitches and assholes. It's also important to understand there are plenty of things I not only like about Israel but also prefer over America.

There are plenty of people who simply refuse to play that game. Just as elsewhere there are guys in Israel who see girls only going after assholes and refuse to play along, preferring to sit back and complain how being a nice guy gets you nothing. Likewise, there are girls in Israel who would rather date older men because those their own age are all assholes and just want one night stands.

But I still have to repeat my oversimplification. In Israel, it seems to me, women are difficult to relate to (a nicer way of saying "bitch") and men are overly aggressive (a nicer way of saying "asshole").

I am not trying to write off Israeli youth culture. In fact, for all of its America-envy there are also significant European influences throughout Israel which I enjoy.

For one thing, Israelis are known for being rough around the edges. Fine, I have no problem with that lesser form of asshole-ness. Growing up in 80's and 90's political correctness insanity makes my move to Israel a very refreshing breather from such insane cultural oversensitivity. Of course, many would say it wouldn't hurt Israel to be a little more culturally sensitive.

Another aspect I'm not ashamed for enjoying is Israeli's appreciation for fashion. People here actually care about how they present themselves - and not just when going out partying and not just women but men too. I enjoy putting thought into how I present myself and don't care about being called a metrosexual.

As for men - sometimes their care for fashion makes me joke that all men in Israel are gay. They don't know how to drink, love to dance (sober) and wear two-sizes-too-small everything.

As for women - I've had to learn the fine distinction between thin and attractive. Bear with me, this is important and I'm about to get into deep trouble with American girls just after getting into deep trouble with Israelis as a result of my previous posting.

Most attractive people are also thin (or well-proportioned for their build and body type) but not all thin people are automatically attractive. That last part I've had to learn in Israel after being duped by Americans and America's "fat culture" that caused me to think that just because someone is thin they are attractive. The other important factor is that Israeli women know how to dress, put on make-up and present themselves well. This seems to have been lost on American women as an over-rebellion against the narcissistic 90's and insanely high standards of beauty that used to be (and many would say still are) demanded of them. Many girls in America don't care how they present themselves when not out partying. I'm sorry to say girls prefer "slumming it" much more in the US than Israel. All of that, coupled with the grass-is-greener view of "exotic middle eastern women" makes me see girls here in a very positive, physical light, compared with that of my previous surroundings.

So maybe I'll find myself a fucking cool Israeli chick that isn't a bitch. And maybe I'll do so without becoming an asshole myself.